Two of the four Cs, read off two simple scales. Color measures how little tint a stone holds; clarity measures how few inclusions it carries. Here is each one, mapped on the GIA standard.
GIA grades color by absence of it. D is utterly colorless and the rarest; the scale warms toward a faint, pale yellow at Z. The differences are subtle — often invisible once a stone is set.
No discernible tint. The rarest and most coveted grades — pure, icy white.
A trace of warmth only an expert can spot. Face-up white and excellent value.
A gentle warmth that flatters yellow and rose gold settings beautifully.
Tint becomes visible to the eye — a soft, vintage cast of color.
Clearly tinted. Beyond Z, color is graded separately as fancy yellow.
Clarity grades the tiny inclusions and surface marks formed as a diamond grew. Graded under 10× magnification, most are invisible to the naked eye — the gold marks below are illustrative.
No inclusions or blemishes at all under 10×. Exceptionally rare.
No inclusions inside — only the faintest surface mark remains.
A single pinpoint, extremely difficult to see even for a grader.
A couple of pinpoints, still extremely hard to detect under 10×.
Minor inclusions, hard to see under magnification. Eye-clean.
A few minor inclusions under 10×, still typically eye-clean.
Noticeable under 10×; often still clean to the unaided eye.
Easily seen under 10×; may be visible to a careful naked eye.
Inclusions obvious under 10× and visible to the eye.
Prominent inclusions that begin to affect brilliance.
Heavy inclusions, clearly visible and affecting durability.
The sweet spot for most fine jewelry sits around G–H color and VS–SI clarity — eye-clean and bright, without paying for grades the eye can't see. The Bichachi trade desk can match any point on these scales.
Color and clarity describe the stone; shape gives it its silhouette. Browse the ten classic diamond shapes and the cutting style behind each.
View the Diamond Shapes Guide