GIA Diamonds and Diamond Grading Exam 2 Final Actual Exam
2026/2027 Complete Exam-Style Questions with Detailed Rationales |
100% Verified | Graded A+ | Pass Guaranteed
EXAM INFORMATION
Total Questions: 55
Recommended Time: 90 minutes
Passing Threshold: 80%
Exam Format: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
Question Style: Scenario-Based, Applied, and Professional Decision-Making Questions
==============================
SECTION 1: The 4Cs - Carat, Color, Clarity, Cut
Question 1: A client presents a round brilliant diamond weighing 1.47 carats. According
to GIA carat weight rounding rules, how should this weight be reported on a GIA
Diamond Grading Report?
A. 1.46 carats
B. 1.47 carats
C. 1.48 carats
D. 1.5 carats
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: GIA reports carat weight to the nearest hundredth of a carat. A diamond
weighing 1.47 carats is reported as 1.47 carats because the third decimal place is not
,considered in standard GIA reporting for weights already at the hundredth place. GIA
uses electronic microbalances that measure to the fifth decimal place, but reports only
to the second decimal place using standard rounding rules.
Question 2: A diamond grader is evaluating a round brilliant diamond under
standardized grading conditions. The diamond shows no visible color when viewed
table-down through the pavilion against a pure white background, but shows a very
slight tint when viewed table-up. Which GIA color grade range is most consistent with
this observation?
A. D to F
B. G to J
C. K to M
D. N to R
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Diamonds in the G to J range are considered near-colorless. They typically
show no obvious color when viewed table-down against a white background in
standardized grading environments, but may display a slight tint when viewed face-up,
especially in larger sizes. The D to F range shows virtually no color in any orientation,
while K and lower grades show noticeable color even table-down.
,Question 3: A diamond contains a small included crystal located directly under the table
that is visible at 10x magnification but does not affect the diamond's durability.
According to GIA clarity grading methodology, which clarity grade is most appropriate?
A. VVS1
B. VS1
C. SI1
D. I1
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: An included crystal visible under 10x magnification located under the table
but not affecting durability typically results in an SI1 grade. VVS1 inclusions are
extremely difficult to see at 10x. VS1 inclusions are difficult to see at 10x. SI1 inclusions
are noticeable at 10x but generally not visible to the unaided eye. The location under the
table and visibility at 10x with no durability impact fits the SI1 criteria.
Question 4: A diamond cutter is analyzing a rough diamond crystal to determine the
optimal cut. The crystal shows distinct cleavage planes parallel to the octahedral faces.
Which crystallographic direction represents the diamond cleavage plane?
A. 100
B. 110
C. 111
D. 112
Correct Answer: C
, Rationale: Diamond has perfect cleavage in four directions parallel to the octahedral
faces, which correspond to the 111 crystallographic planes. This is one of the most
fundamental properties of diamond and directly influences how rough is oriented for
sawing and cleaving. The 100 plane is the cubic face, 110 is a dodecahedral direction,
and 112 is not a primary cleavage direction.
Question 5: A jewelry appraiser examines a 0.95 carat round brilliant diamond with the
following proportions: table 57%, depth 62.4%, crown angle 34.5 degrees, pavilion angle
41.0 degrees, and thin to medium girdle. According to GIA Cut Grading standards for
round brilliant diamonds, which cut grade is most likely?
A. Excellent
B. Very Good
C. Good
D. Fair
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: These proportions fall well within the GIA Excellent cut grade parameters for
round brilliant diamonds. A table of 57% is near the ideal center of the range, depth of
62.4% is acceptable, crown angle of 34.5 degrees is optimal, and pavilion angle of 41.0
degrees is within the preferred range. The combination of these proportions with a thin
to medium girdle typically yields Excellent light performance.
2026/2027 Complete Exam-Style Questions with Detailed Rationales |
100% Verified | Graded A+ | Pass Guaranteed
EXAM INFORMATION
Total Questions: 55
Recommended Time: 90 minutes
Passing Threshold: 80%
Exam Format: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
Question Style: Scenario-Based, Applied, and Professional Decision-Making Questions
==============================
SECTION 1: The 4Cs - Carat, Color, Clarity, Cut
Question 1: A client presents a round brilliant diamond weighing 1.47 carats. According
to GIA carat weight rounding rules, how should this weight be reported on a GIA
Diamond Grading Report?
A. 1.46 carats
B. 1.47 carats
C. 1.48 carats
D. 1.5 carats
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: GIA reports carat weight to the nearest hundredth of a carat. A diamond
weighing 1.47 carats is reported as 1.47 carats because the third decimal place is not
,considered in standard GIA reporting for weights already at the hundredth place. GIA
uses electronic microbalances that measure to the fifth decimal place, but reports only
to the second decimal place using standard rounding rules.
Question 2: A diamond grader is evaluating a round brilliant diamond under
standardized grading conditions. The diamond shows no visible color when viewed
table-down through the pavilion against a pure white background, but shows a very
slight tint when viewed table-up. Which GIA color grade range is most consistent with
this observation?
A. D to F
B. G to J
C. K to M
D. N to R
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Diamonds in the G to J range are considered near-colorless. They typically
show no obvious color when viewed table-down against a white background in
standardized grading environments, but may display a slight tint when viewed face-up,
especially in larger sizes. The D to F range shows virtually no color in any orientation,
while K and lower grades show noticeable color even table-down.
,Question 3: A diamond contains a small included crystal located directly under the table
that is visible at 10x magnification but does not affect the diamond's durability.
According to GIA clarity grading methodology, which clarity grade is most appropriate?
A. VVS1
B. VS1
C. SI1
D. I1
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: An included crystal visible under 10x magnification located under the table
but not affecting durability typically results in an SI1 grade. VVS1 inclusions are
extremely difficult to see at 10x. VS1 inclusions are difficult to see at 10x. SI1 inclusions
are noticeable at 10x but generally not visible to the unaided eye. The location under the
table and visibility at 10x with no durability impact fits the SI1 criteria.
Question 4: A diamond cutter is analyzing a rough diamond crystal to determine the
optimal cut. The crystal shows distinct cleavage planes parallel to the octahedral faces.
Which crystallographic direction represents the diamond cleavage plane?
A. 100
B. 110
C. 111
D. 112
Correct Answer: C
, Rationale: Diamond has perfect cleavage in four directions parallel to the octahedral
faces, which correspond to the 111 crystallographic planes. This is one of the most
fundamental properties of diamond and directly influences how rough is oriented for
sawing and cleaving. The 100 plane is the cubic face, 110 is a dodecahedral direction,
and 112 is not a primary cleavage direction.
Question 5: A jewelry appraiser examines a 0.95 carat round brilliant diamond with the
following proportions: table 57%, depth 62.4%, crown angle 34.5 degrees, pavilion angle
41.0 degrees, and thin to medium girdle. According to GIA Cut Grading standards for
round brilliant diamonds, which cut grade is most likely?
A. Excellent
B. Very Good
C. Good
D. Fair
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: These proportions fall well within the GIA Excellent cut grade parameters for
round brilliant diamonds. A table of 57% is near the ideal center of the range, depth of
62.4% is acceptable, crown angle of 34.5 degrees is optimal, and pavilion angle of 41.0
degrees is within the preferred range. The combination of these proportions with a thin
to medium girdle typically yields Excellent light performance.
