Brilliance: The total of white light reflected that radiates from the diamond's surface. The properly balanced cut equals a more brilliant diamond.

Brilliant Cut: A round diamond that measures 58 facets.

Carat: Measurement used for scaling the weight of a diamond. One carat is equal to one fifth of a gram.

Clarity: A graded scale that measures the quantity of imperfections within a diamond. It ranges from flawless (FL) to severely included (I3).

Cloud: A minor inclusion within a diamond.

Color: Color tones of a diamond that is graded on a scale of D (colorless) to Z (yellow brown). 

Culet: The point at the bottom of the diamond. If the culet is faceted then the certificate indicates the size of the facet relative to the size of the diamond.

Cut: The proportions and finish of the diamond. With proper proportions, most of the light that enters a diamond is returned reveling the diamond's brilliance and fire. Any deviation of these proportions will compromise the beauty of the stone.

Cut and Shape: Shapes other than the standard round brilliant are called fancy shapes and fancy cuts. Their names are based on the Shape. The best known are the Heart, Marquise, Pear, Emerald, Oval, Radiant and Princess.

Crown Height%: The crown is the upper portion of the diamond.

Date: The date the report was issued.

Depth: A diamond's height from culet to table.

Depth %: The depth of the diamond divided by the average diameter for rounds, or the depth divided by the width of the diamond for other shapes.

Eye-clean: When viewing with the naked eye, a diamond with no visible inclusions or imperfections.

Fair Cut: While still capturing some sparkle, this cut is made to maximize the diamond's carat weight.

Facet: A diamond's flat, polished surfaces.

Fire: Reflected color light that radiates from the inside, out.

Finish: Finish grades represent the quality of the diamonds surface condition (Polish), and the size and shape and placement of the facets, including the evenness of the outline (Symmetry)

Fluorescence: When exposed to ultraviolet light, an illuminating bluish color that glows from the diamond surface, which usually doesn't affect appearance or quality.

Girdle: A diamond's narrow band that encircles the width.

Good Cut: An acceptable and more reasonably priced cut with decent proportions.

Graining: Graining and grain lines reflect irregularities in the crystal structure. Colorless graining usually does not affect the clarity grade: but white, colored, or reflective graining does.

Ideal Cut: A round diamond that is perfectly proportioned.

Inclusion: An imperfection within a diamond that typically manifests in the crystal. May or may not be visible to the naked eye but noticeable when magnified.

Make: The diamond's cut proportions. The better the make, the better the diamond.

Measurements: The measurements of the diamond are stated as "smallest diameter - the largest diameter x depth" for round shapes and "length x width x depth" for other shapes.

Poor Cut: A clearly dull and lifeless diamond that sacrifices proportion and quality.

Pavilion: A diamond's bottom portion.

Pavilion Depth%: The distance from the bottom of the girdle to the culet is the pavilion depth. A pavilion depth that is too shallow or too deep will allow light to escape from the side of the diamond, or leak out the bottom. A well-cut diamond will direct more light through the crown.

Point: One hundredth of a carat.

Polish: The external finish of a stone, which ranges from excellent to poor.

Proportions: Proportion refers to the angles and the relative measurements of the polished diamond. More than any other feature, proportions determine a diamond's optical properties. Table size, crown angle, and pavilion depth have a dramatic effect on the diamonds appearance.

Stone ID: A unique number representing the diamond. This number is registered in a global database.

Sparkle: The amount of reflected light that radiates from a diamond's surface and combines both fire and brilliance.

Symmetry: A Diamond's symmetry is the arrangement of the facets and finished angles, created by the diamond cutter. Excellent symmetry of a well-cut and well-proportioned diamond can have a great effect on the diamond's brilliance and fire. Grading reports will often state the diamond's symmetry in terms of Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair, or Poor.

Table:  The top of the diamond that carries the largest facet of the diamond.

Table %: The total diameter of the diamond that divides the width of the table and is critical in determining the sparkle of the stone.

Very Good Cut (Premium): A proportioned cut that maximizes brilliance, reflection and fire. It meets the highest standards and dimensions for a quality diamond.