GIA DIAMOND ESSENTIALS EXAM (ACTUAL 2025/2026)
QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED 100% CORRECT ANSWERS
fracture filling - ---Answers----injects molten glass
substance into a diamonds surface-reaching feathers or laser
drill holes. (characteristic must reach the surface). doesn't
"heal" the the fracture, just makes it harder to see. the injected
material has a refractive index that is closer to a diamonds
that air. NOT CONSIDERED PERMANENT SO GIA DOES NOT
GRADE THESE STONES
apparent clarity - ---Answers----describes the effects of
treatments on the visual appeal of a gemstone, doesnt change
actual clarity
flawless - ---Answers----no inclusions/blemishes under 10x.
extra facets not visible faceup. naturals confined to girdle but
dont thicken/distort it
internally flawless - ---Answers----no inclusions under 10x.
minor blemishes (surface graining, naturals, extra facets)
very very slightly included - ---Answers----minute inclusions
- pinpoints, needles, internal graining, etc. extremely difficult
to see at 10x = VVS1. very difficult to see at 10x= VVS2
very slightly included - ---Answers----minute inclusions-
small crystals, small feathers, clouds, etc. difficult to see at
10x= VS1. somewhat easy to see at 10x= VS2
,slightly included - ---Answers----noticeable inclusions-
crystals, feathers, clouds, twinning wisps, etc. Easy to see at
10x= SI1. Very easy to see at 10x= SI2
included - ---Answers----obvious inclusions under 10x- large
feathers or large included crystals
diamond plot - ---Answers----record of clarity. green=
blemish. red= inclusion. black= extra facets and metal position
if mounted
pique - ---Answers----general term for included stones
normal color range - ---Answers----range of diamond colors
from colorless to light yellow, brown and gray (D-Z). each
letter is a range based on a combo of tone and saturation.
graded on absence of color
hues - ---Answers----basic color of an object
tone - ---Answers----colors degree of darkness or lightness
saturation - ---Answers----colors strength or intensity
depth of color - ---Answers----combo of tone and saturation
that determines how noticeable a color is
, colorless - ---Answers----DEF
near colorless - ---Answers----GHIJ
faint color - ---Answers----KLM
very light color - ---Answers----NOPQR
light color - ---Answers----STUVWXYZ
masterstones - ---Answers----set of color comparison
diamonds that defines GIA's diamonds color grades in D-Z
range
consistent grading - ---Answers----depends on
masterstones, environment, and grader
fluorescense - ---Answers----emission of visible light when
exposed to ultraviolet radiation (light wavelength that is
invisible to human eye). about 35% of diamonds have some
degree of it
colored diamonds - ---Answers----yellow, brown, or gray
diamonds with more color than the Z masterstone, or that
exhibit any other color face-up outside normal color range.
graded on presence of color
QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED 100% CORRECT ANSWERS
fracture filling - ---Answers----injects molten glass
substance into a diamonds surface-reaching feathers or laser
drill holes. (characteristic must reach the surface). doesn't
"heal" the the fracture, just makes it harder to see. the injected
material has a refractive index that is closer to a diamonds
that air. NOT CONSIDERED PERMANENT SO GIA DOES NOT
GRADE THESE STONES
apparent clarity - ---Answers----describes the effects of
treatments on the visual appeal of a gemstone, doesnt change
actual clarity
flawless - ---Answers----no inclusions/blemishes under 10x.
extra facets not visible faceup. naturals confined to girdle but
dont thicken/distort it
internally flawless - ---Answers----no inclusions under 10x.
minor blemishes (surface graining, naturals, extra facets)
very very slightly included - ---Answers----minute inclusions
- pinpoints, needles, internal graining, etc. extremely difficult
to see at 10x = VVS1. very difficult to see at 10x= VVS2
very slightly included - ---Answers----minute inclusions-
small crystals, small feathers, clouds, etc. difficult to see at
10x= VS1. somewhat easy to see at 10x= VS2
,slightly included - ---Answers----noticeable inclusions-
crystals, feathers, clouds, twinning wisps, etc. Easy to see at
10x= SI1. Very easy to see at 10x= SI2
included - ---Answers----obvious inclusions under 10x- large
feathers or large included crystals
diamond plot - ---Answers----record of clarity. green=
blemish. red= inclusion. black= extra facets and metal position
if mounted
pique - ---Answers----general term for included stones
normal color range - ---Answers----range of diamond colors
from colorless to light yellow, brown and gray (D-Z). each
letter is a range based on a combo of tone and saturation.
graded on absence of color
hues - ---Answers----basic color of an object
tone - ---Answers----colors degree of darkness or lightness
saturation - ---Answers----colors strength or intensity
depth of color - ---Answers----combo of tone and saturation
that determines how noticeable a color is
, colorless - ---Answers----DEF
near colorless - ---Answers----GHIJ
faint color - ---Answers----KLM
very light color - ---Answers----NOPQR
light color - ---Answers----STUVWXYZ
masterstones - ---Answers----set of color comparison
diamonds that defines GIA's diamonds color grades in D-Z
range
consistent grading - ---Answers----depends on
masterstones, environment, and grader
fluorescense - ---Answers----emission of visible light when
exposed to ultraviolet radiation (light wavelength that is
invisible to human eye). about 35% of diamonds have some
degree of it
colored diamonds - ---Answers----yellow, brown, or gray
diamonds with more color than the Z masterstone, or that
exhibit any other color face-up outside normal color range.
graded on presence of color
