Note: Some settings are limited in which shapes of diamonds they can accommodate.

Shape selection is a personal choice best made by taking the preferences of the intended recipient into account. Using precise guidelines, each diamond is cut to create one of the following shapes:

• Round
  
• Princess-Cut
  
• Emerald
  
• Square Emerald
  
• Oval
  
• Radiant
  
• Pear
  
• Heart-Shaped
  
• Marquise
  
• Cushion
  
  

G.I.A.

Any diamond submitted to G.I.A. is ensured to have reliable and consistent grading. Anywhere from 3-6 separate gemologists will individually grade each and every diamond for an accurate final grade. G.I.A. grading reports are considered a hallmark of integrity throughout the diamond world, issuing two separate types of reports. One of the more common reports is the full-issued G.I.A. document, which contains the full description of the diamond as well as a plotting of the grade-setting clarity characteristics of that stone. The G.I.A. Dossier will have the full individual details of each diamond graded, but the plotting is not included. Both reports reference a unique serial number that has been laser-inscribed on the diamond’s girdle, allowing for verification of the stone under 10x magnification. With “Gemscribe”, your diamond cannot possibly be mistaken for any other. The serial number on your diamond will always match the serial number on your certificate. Two other independent institutions also certify Jared® diamonds: I.G.I (International Gemological Institute) and G.S.I. (Gemological Science International). Both follow G.I.A. standards.

I.G.I.

The International Gemological Institute (I.G.I.) is the largest independent grading and appraisal organization in the world. Over 450 scientific technicians and gemologists examine hundreds of thousands of jewelry items every year. I.G.I. has centers in Antwerp, New York, Bangkok, Mumbai, Tokyo, Dubai, Los Angeles and Toronto. It offers diamond and colored stone certificates, educational courses to the trade, and diamond laser inscription. The information contained in every I.G.I. Diamond Grading Report is also stored in the organization’s computer database, ensuring that you may, at any time, request and receive an update of your report if the need arises.

G.S.I.

GSI is an independent gemological laboratory that provides professional gemstone identification, grading and appraisal services exclusively to the fine jewelry industry. It is headquartered in the heart of New York City’s Diamond District and has offices abroad in international diamond centers. The foundation of GSI is built on innovative thinking, new technology, traditional values, and shared industry research. The result is a gem lab equipped to meet the evolving needs of the industry. GSI’s gemologists have vast expertise in diamond grading, both theoretical and practical. They are up-to-date about any new developments in the gemological and jewelry fields. Each diamond is examined by a minimum of four gemologists: two gemologists for color grade and at least two gemologists for clarity grade.

A.G.S.

A.G.S. is known throughout the diamond industry as grading top-notch Ideal-Cut round diamonds. Their high standards surpass those of any other grading laboratory when considering color and clarity as well as cut. If a diamond has been graded by A.G.S. Lab, it has met the standards of what is considered the perfect proportions, polish, and symmetry; and has been given a grade of “ideal” or a “000” rating. A.G.S. Ideal-Cut round diamonds are highly sought after in today’s market.

GemEx

GemEx Systems is an independent laboratory that provides certification on the light performance of a diamond, stating the measurement of fire, sparkle and brilliance for your Leo Diamond. This certification is known as the"Return of Light." The GemEx BrillianceScope® Analyzer, which uses patented spectrophotometer technology, measures a diamond’s white light (brilliance), color light (fire) and scintillation (sparkle). It then rates each of these three measures compared to other diamonds of the same shape. The scale for each shape was set by measuring thousands of diamonds to determine the highest and lowest amount of white light, color light and scintillation possible for each shape. The Light Performance Report includes the three bar graphs and also shows images of the diamond under five different light views used for measurement of Light Performance. It is important to know that superior performance in any of the three light categories yields a beautiful diamond.

A diamond’s depth is its height from the bottom tip, or culet, to the table of the gem.

The table is the top facet, or the flat surface on the top of the diamond.

The horizontal midsection and widest part of a diamond. The girdle may be polished, faceted or unpolished on a diamond, but is typically left unpolished on color stones.

A diamond’s polish grade is determined by the quality of the diamond’s surface following the polishing and/or cutting process, which can create blemishes on the stone.

Polish is rated excellent, very good, good, fair or poor, depending on the condition of the diamond’s surface.

Symmetry is assessed on the precision of the diamond’s cut, its symmetrical arrangement and the placement of its facets.

Like polish, symmetry is also evaluated on a scale ranging from excellent to poor.

Fluorescence refers to the glow a diamond emits when placed under an ultraviolet light.

A diamond’s fluorescence can range from none to very strong, and may be a soft blue, green, pink, yellow, orange or red color.

The small facet on the bottom tip of a diamond.

Carats measure the weight of the diamond, but also affect the size.
Bigger diamonds cost more, of course. But certain carat weight thresholds can cause a big jump in cost — for example, a 1-carat diamond might cost much more than a 0.9-carat diamond, despite the nearly indiscernible difference in size.

As diamonds get bigger, a fraction of a difference in carat weight is more noticeable.

The way a diamond is cut and proportioned affects how the light shines through it.
Each facet and angle is cut so that light travels in and out of the diamond to create sparkle.

Well-cut diamonds are quite beautiful, but tend to be more expensive.
Usually jewelers prioritize cut over the other "Cs" of a diamond.

Perfectly white (colorless) diamonds are hard to find – which is why D-color diamonds are so expensive.
Most diamonds are slightly yellow in color, and the more yellow the diamond is, the lower color grade it receives.
The yellow tint is not really discernible to the naked eye until a diamond is in the J-K range of the color chart.