GIA introduces educational tools for its Cut Grade System

The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) is introducing two new large posters and a booklet as easy reference guides for the gem and jewellery industry, explaining its Cut Grade System for standard round brilliant diamonds. The educational tools will be launched on May, 30.

“These educational resources are meant to help everyone in the trade – cutters, manufacturers and retailers – better understand the cut grade system and how GIA determines cut grades in its laboratories,” said Tom Moses, GIA senior vice president, Research and Laboratory. He further added, that “Actually, all of the content in the new posters and booklet are compilations or summaries of information that’s long been available, but never gathered into a single place for cutters and manufacturers. The new materials go into more detail, add many photos, images and charts to better illuminate various points, and help answer any questions about the system. This puts all of the information right at the client’s fingertips.”

One poster is designed with an overview of the GIA Cut Grading System, with a summary table on the individual parameter ranges for each GIA cut grade. Images of round brilliant diamonds also show the range of appearance in each of the five cut grades and why a diamond belongs in a particular grade category. The second poster defines the categories of the cut grading system: Finish, Culet Size and Girdle Thickness, with explanations and illustrations of each feature.

The booklet contains a number of cut grade charts and notes on using the charts to plan the cut of a new round brilliant or ways to estimate a cut grade. Also included are examples for using GIA Facetware to obtain a more specific estimate of the cut grade for a particular diamond.

All the educational tools will be distributed free of cost.