Grading Scale

 

While diamonds are graded using the system devised by the Gemmological Institute of America (GIA) in the 1950s, there is no standardized or universally accepted grading system for colored stones like rubies, sapphires, emeralds, etc. Historically, all gemstones are graded using the naked eye. However, we have devised a grading scale on the basis of the diamond grading scale which is easy to understand and not only takes into consideration appearance with the naked eye but alos the appearance under 10x magnification (i.e. a jeweler's loupe).

 

CLARITY GRADING SCALE

 

Detailed Clarity Grading Scale on the Basis of which the Colored Stones listed in our store are graded (the first one being the best and the last one being the lowest grade)

 

Grade

Eye-Clean / Loupe-Clean (10x)

Detailed Description

IF (Internally Flawless)

Eye-Clean, Completely Loupe-Clean

No inclusions visible under 10x Magnification

VVS1 (Very Very Slightly Included 1)

Eye-Clean, Loupe-Clean

Minor Pin-Point Inclusions visible under 10x Magnification

VVS2 (Very Very Slightly Included 2)

Eye-Clean, Loupe-Clean

Minor Pin-Point Inclusions visible under 10x Magnification

VS1 (Very Slightly Included 1)

Eye-Clean, Near Loupe-Clean

Minor Inclusions visible under 10x Magnification

VS2 (Very Slightly Included 2)

Eye-Clean, Near Loupe-Clean

Minor Inclusions visible under 10x Magnification

SI1 (Slightly Included 1)

Eye-Clean, Not Loupe-Clean

Inclusions visible under 10x Magnification but not with unaided eye

SI2 (Slightly Included 2)

Near Eye-Clean, Not Loupe-Clean

Inclusions visible under 10x Magnification and also with unaided eye (minor)

SI3 (Slightly Included 3)

Not Eye-Clean, Not Loupe-Clean

Inclusions visible under 10x Magnification and also with unaided eye (considerable)

I1 (Included 1)

Visibly Included

Inclusions visible under 10x Magnification and also with unaided eye (heavy)

I2 (Included 2)

Visibly Included

Inclusions visible under 10x Magnification and also with unaided eye (very heavy)

Semi-Transparent

Visibly Included

Not Completely Transparent neither Completely Translucent

Milky-Transparent

Varies

Transparent but with milkiness

Translucent

N/A

Allowing light to pass through but not transparent

Opaque

N/A

Not allowing light to pass through

Note: The numbers denote the intensity of inclusions i.e. the intensity of inclusions in a stone with VVS2 clarity would be more than those in a stone with VVS1 clarity.

 

 

GENERAL GRADING SCALE

 

Gemstones are also graded on a scale from “A” to “E” by our gemmologists based on the overall appearance and after taking into consideration the combination of the following criteria:

  1. General Rarity
  2. Clarity Grade, intensity of inclusions and effect of inclusions on the overall appearance of the stone
  3. Hue, Tone and Saturation of Colour
  4. Cutting Grade
  5. Origin
  6. Appearance of the gemstone in relevance to the general appearance of stones in that particular group

This is a general grading scale which divides all gemstones into 5 parts depending on a variety of factors. A Majority of the stones listed on the store are grade “A” and grade “B” stones since we list very few grade “C’, “D” and “E” stones.

 

Also See: Gem Certification

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