| GIA certified diamonds are gemstones that have | | | | the rating must be based on the 10x |
| been through a rigorous inspection to determine | | | | magnification. |
| the quality and worth of the gemstone.There is a | | | | When an examiner is rating a diamond's clarity, |
| specific process that is followed when the | | | | they are looking for flaws and/or imperfections in |
| diamond clarity rating occurs, this article will briefly | | | | the stone. If the diamond has fewer flaws, then |
| discuss the GIA rating process. | | | | the gemstone's value increases. And on the other |
| When a diamond is rated according to the GIA | | | | hand, if there are many flaws in the diamond then |
| clarity standards, it is first cleaned and then the | | | | the value will decrease. |
| gemstone is picked up by a set of tweezers. The | | | | The first view of the diamond is always through |
| gemstone is picked up by the girdle of the stone | | | | the top of the diamond, the cutlet area of the |
| to give the inspector the best view. | | | | gemstone. Because the diamond is held by the |
| The diamond is placed under magnification, and it | | | | girdle, the examiner has the ability to see all of |
| is illuminated with darkfield lighting. This specific | | | | the aspects of the inner stone. |
| lighting helps to show diamond characteristics that | | | | Then, the diamond is set down and the examiner |
| cannot be seen under regular overhead light. | | | | picks up the stone again by the ends (table to |
| All GIA certified diamonds are rated under the | | | | cutlet). The examiner looks through each facet of |
| 10x magnification. During the rating process, the | | | | the stone, searching for any imperfections or |
| examiner may zoom in to get a better look, but | | | | flaws that may be present. |