Table
Table refers to the flat top of the diamond surface. Sometimes it is also referred to as the Face of the Diamond.
Crown
Crown refers to the distance between the top right or left edge from the face to right above the girdle.
Girdle
Girdle refers to the edge area where the crown and the pavilion of a cut diamond meets. The girdle is the area normally clasped by prongs when the diamond is mounted into the setting.
Pavilion
Pavilion refers to the the bottom portion of a cut stone, beginning at the girdle and going to the point at its end (culet).
Culet
Culet refers to the pointed base of the diamond. Culet determines how the fire and light sparkle of the diamond will be reflected to the naked eye. When a diamond has a large culet, often light is lost thus it will make the diamond to have a dull appearance.
Certification
Certification of a diamond simply refers to the diamond's grading report from various Diamond Laboratories. Diamond certificate is a piece of paper that assures the diamond's quality, value and characteristic.
Diamond's certificates are issued by various Diamond Labs throughout the world. One of the most reputable and established Diamond Labs is GIA (Gemological Institute of America).
When a diamond is accompanied by a GIA certificate, the price and value of the diamond can go up considerably. However it does not mean that a diamond which carry other labs' certificate (such as IGI, AGSL) has less value and price.
When two diamonds with GIA and IGI certificates are compared side by side, and even though they may have the same characteristic, the one with IGI certificate will be priced much less, but it does not undermine the quality of the diamond per say. |
