Glossary of Diamond Terms

Brilliance: the amount of “white light” returning to the eye from a diamond.

Carat weight: The measurement of weight derived from a carob seed which is equal to .20 gram.

Cut: The proportions and finish determined and executed by a diamond cutter.

Fancy color: A rare natural hue found in diamonds. The most highly prized are red, pink, green, blue and yellow.

Fancy shape: A shape other than round, such as pear, marquise, oval, emerald, heart, princess, and radiant.

Fire: The amount of color flashing in a diamond caused by the stone splitting white light into the spectrum colors.

Fracture filling: A treatment used to patch cracks in a diamond. These diamonds will not be graded by accredited labs and the treatment must be disclosed t a potential buyer.

Inclusion: An internal characteristic, often called an imperfection, in a diamond or gemstone.

Luster: The quality and quantity of light reflecting from the surface of a gemstone.

Make: Refers to a diamond’s overall cut quality.

Melee: Small diamonds (less than 1/5 carat) usually set to accent a center diamond.

Polish: The degree of surface perfection on a diamond.

Proportions: The angles and percentages determined by the diamond cutter to place and polish the facets on a diamond.

Scintillation: The amount of sparkle when a diamond is moved under lights -- a combination of luster and brilliance.

Symmetry: The exactness of placement and shaping of facets.