Gemstone Evaluation Guide
At Gala Vintage Jewelry, we pride ourselves on offering truly exquisite and authentic jewelry. Each gemstone is evaluated using the globally recognized 4 C's grading system, originally developed by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). This guide will empower you to make confident, informed decisions when selecting your next treasure.
1. Carat weight
Gemstone weight is measured in metric carat scale. 1 carat (ct for short) is 0.2 grams. Total carat weight (TCW) of all single-type gemstones used in our jewelry pieces can be found in product details. Carats are divided to 100 points for precision, so for example a half carat diamond is said to have 50 points or can be referred to as 0.5 carat.
2. Diamond color
Most diamonds range in color from colorless to slightly yellow. A perfect diamond has no color at all. We apply CIBJO color grading system to note down the diamond color:
| GIA | CIBJO | Traditional |
|---|---|---|
| D | Exceptional White + (EW+) | Finest White |
| E | Exceptional White (EW) | Finest White |
| F | Rare White + (RW+) | Fine White |
| G | Rare White (RW) | Fine White |
| H | White (W) | White |
| I | Slightly Tinted White (STW) | Commercial White |
| J | Slightly Tinted White (STW) | Top Silver Cape |
| K | Tinted White (TW) | Top Silver Cape |
| L | Tinted White (TW) | Silver Cape |
| M-Z | Tinted Colour (TC) | Cape |
| Fancy | Fancy Colour | - |
3. Gemstone clarity
Clarity indicates gemstone’s purity, determined by a gemstone’s naturally occurring inclusions (within the stone) and blemishes (found on the surface of the stone) that are assessed using 10x magnification. These characteristics are sometimes not visible to the naked eye and they are what make each gemstone unique. These characteristics, or inclusions, may look like crystals, feathers, clouds or dark spots. Gemstones with fewer and smaller inclusions generally are more brilliant. Due to the rarity of FL, IF and VVS diamond, many pieces of fine jewellery are made from VS diamonds, which are still of a superior quality. A large percentage of jewellery is made with SI quality diamonds. The CIBJO clarity grading scale used in our product descriptions is as follows:
| GIA | CIBJO | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Flawless (FL) | Loupe Clean (LC) | Shows no inclusions or blemishes |
| Internally Flawless (IF) | Loupe Clean (LC) | Shows no inclusions and only insignificant blemishes |
| Very Very Slightly Included (VVS1/2) | Very Very Slightly Included (VVS1/2) | Contains minute inclusions which are very difficult for an experienced grader to see with 10x magnification |
| Very Slightly Included (VS1-2) | Very Slightly Included (VS1-2) | Contains very small inclusions that are difficult to see with 10x magnification |
| Slightly Included (SI1-2) | Slightly Included (SI1-2) | Slightly included contains inclusions that are easily visible with 10x magnification |
| Imperfect / Included (I1-3) | Piqué (P1-3) | Contains inclusions that are obvious with 10x magnification and can often be seen with the naked eye; durability may be affected |
4. Gemstone cut
There are several types of gemstone cuts and knowing which one will complement your style of jewelry will help you make an informed buyer’s decision. Some antique jewelry pieces have old cut gemstones. As modern jewellery generally use modern machine-cut stones, old mine cut and old European cut gemstones are more rare, and therefore may be more valuable as they offer a unique hand-finished aesthetic so no two old cut stones are identical. Here are some of the most popular gemstone cuts:
| Cut Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Brilliant Cut | Maximizes sparkle with precisely arranged facets to reflect light beautifully. |
| Baguette Cut | Linear and elegant, often used in Art Deco designs for a sophisticated look. |
| Round Cut | A classic and timeless cut, known for its perfect symmetry and exceptional brilliance. |
| Princess Cut | A modern square cut offering intense brilliance and contemporary appeal. |
| Emerald Cut | Step-cut facets create a sleek, mirrored appearance with understated elegance. |
| Marquise Cut | An elongated shape designed to maximize carat weight while exuding regal charm. |
| Oval Cut | Combines the brilliance of round cuts with an elongated shape for a unique look. |
| Pear Cut | Distinctive teardrop shape that combines elegance with individuality. |
| Heart Cut | A romantic and symbolic cut, often chosen for sentimental jewelry pieces. |
| Cushion Cut | Soft square or rectangular shape with rounded edges, offering vintage charm. |