Ags 3 or 4.
Gia diamond clarity grade.
Jewelers and gemologists frequently use this system.
Those letters and numbers are the gemological institute of america s gia gem clarity grading codes.
This short video explains the gia clarity scale and how gia classifies diamonds with a clarity grade ranging from flawless to i 3 by using a 10x magnification loupe and a microscope to see and plot the diamond s inclusions.
So the creators of the gia color scale wanted to start fresh without any association with earlier systems.
While the clarity can significantly impact a diamond s value it s one of the most important 4 cs imperfections typically can t be recognized by the naked or.
Thus the gia scale starts at the letter d.
Diamond quality can be communicated in a universal language and diamond buying consumers can know exactly what they are about to purchase.
The 4cs means two very important things.
The gia diamond dossier is a more concise compact version of the gia diamond grading report and is available for diamonds that weigh between 0 15 and 1 99 carats.
Very few people still cling to other grading systems and no other system has the clarity and universal acceptance of the gia scale.
Main image courtesy of john o hara.
To understand what the codes mean you ll need to know what the codes stand for and the clarity type of the specific gem.
For standard round brilliant cut diamonds falling in the d to z color range the report also includes a.
Understanding the 4cs of diamond quality and diamond cut grading.
Vs very slightly included diamonds with a clarity grade of 3 or 4 vs1 or vs2 have minor inclusions.
Gia created the 4cs color clarity cut and carat weight as a universal method for establishing the quality of any diamond anywhere in the world.
If you found these variations of the diamond gia diamond clarity scale informative informally known as the clarity chart have a look at gia s blog posts that explain the 4cs of diamond quality.
The gia diamond grading report includes an assessment of a diamond s 4cs color clarity cut and carat weight along with a plotted diagram of its clarity characteristics and a graphic representation of the diamond s proportions.
This report includes all the important 4cs grading results as the diamond grading report but does not include the plotted diagram.
Inclusions are solids liquids or gases that were trapped in a mineral as it formed.
Diamond clarity is a qualitative metric that grades the visual appearance of each diamond.
The fewer inclusions and blemishes the diamond has the better the clarity grade.