Confusing Diamond Terms Explained - Part 1

If you have been researching on loose diamonds and engagement ring, you must have come across terms that are confusing. Well, fret not! We are planning a new blog series, where we definitions for confusing terms. Let's start.

1. Loose Diamond(s): Diamonds that are not set in a ring or other jewelry. These diamonds can be purchased separately, without the ring or jewelry.
2. Engagement Ring Setting(s): The ring, or any other piece of jewelry such as earrings, without the center diamond mounted in it is called the setting. Buyers can buy a diamond separately and then have it mounted in the setting.
3. The 4Cs/Diamond 4Cs: The cut, color, clarity or carat of a diamond. 
4. Diamond cut: The arrangement of facets and the proportions of a diamond. The better the cut of a diamond, the more it will sparkle and the more expensive it is.
5. Facets: Flat polished surfaces on a diamond. Different diamond shapes can have different number of facets. E.g. A round brilliant diamond has 57 to 58 facets.
6. Diamond shape: The overall geometric form or outline of the diamond. Diamond shapes such as princess are often called as the princess cut but that's a turn of phrase.
7. Diamond clarity: The amount of natural flaws present in a diamond determines its clarity. The lesser the flaws, the better the clarity.
8. Diamond color: The saturation of yellow tint in a diamond determines its color. The lesser the saturation, the better the diamond color and the more expensive a diamond is. 
9. Diamond carat: The weight of a diamond is measured in carats (not to be confused with karats). One carat equals 200 milligrams.
10. Certified loose diamonds: The cut, color and clarity of a diamond are assigned grades. This process is often done by independent gemological laboratories to ensure unbiased grading. Diamonds that are offered for sale with these diamond reports are called as certified diamonds.  
11. GIA/GIA certified diamonds: GIA stands for Gemological Institute of America. The lab is an independent non-profit institute that grades diamonds on the 4Cs and issues grading reports. Diamonds graded by the GIA are sometimes called GIA diamonds. The GIA is a well-regarded lab and acknowledged as reputable institute around the world.
12. AGS/AGSL/AGS certified diamonds: AGSL stands for American Gem Society Laboratories. The lab is an independent non-profit institute that grades diamonds on the 4Cs and issues grading reports. Diamonds graded by the AGS are sometimes called AGS diamonds. The AGS is a well-regarded lab and acknowledged as reputable institute around the world.
13. Diamond certification: A diamond retailer or vendor sends the diamonds in their inventory to be graded by independent labs or they may be graded in-house. There are many labs, but not all are equal in reputation. The GIA, AGS, IGI, HRD are some of the reputed ones. Any diamond that comes with a grading report can be called as a certified diamond but not all diamond certification is equal or unbiased.
14. Excellent cut: A diamond that has been graded excellent, GIA's top grade for diamond cut.
15. Diamond polish: The overall smoothness of facets. The diamond polish is given a grade much like cut.