GIA DIAMOND ESSENTIALS FINAL EXAM 2026
FINAL PAPER SOLVED ITEMS ACCURATE
MARKING
◉ mineral. Answer: inorganic. most minerals are a combo of 2 or
more elements
◉ diamonds form. Answer: within 90-120 miles below earth's
surface
◉ value factos. Answer: features used to judge the quality and value
of stones - a diamonds value is based on its combo of the Four C's
◉ inclusions. Answer: clarity characteristic totally enclosed in a
polished gemstone or extending into it from the surface. affect value
most
◉ blemishes. Answer: clarity characteristic on the surface of a
gemstone (surface irregularity). includes scratches and knicks on a
surface
◉ rarest diamond colors. Answer: red, purple, green, orange- then
pink and blue
,◉ lab-grown. Answer: manmade material with the same chemical
composition, crystal structure, and properties
◉ simulants/imitations. Answer: simply look like naturals- not the
same composition (can be man made or natural) - cz, moissanite,
glass, zircon, LG spinel
◉ Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Answer: established by
congress in 1914 to protect consumers from unlawful business
◉ cut. Answer: how light performs in a stone- affects brightness, fire,
and scintillation
◉ brightness. Answer: effect of stone's internal and external
reflections of white light (brilliance)
◉ fire. Answer: flashes of color in a diamond
◉ scintillation. Answer: flashes of light and contrasting dark areas
seen when the diamond, light, or observer move
◉ crown. Answer: top part of diamond- above firdle
, ◉ girdle. Answer: narrow section between crown and pavillion-
functions as the setting edge
◉ pavillion. Answer: lower part- below girdle
◉ facets. Answer: flat, polished surface
◉ culet. Answer: small facet at bottom of stone
◉ brilliant cut. Answer: cutting style with triangular or kite shaped
facets that radiate from the center toward the girdle
◉ standard round brilliant. Answer: 57-58 facets (full cut) - 58th
facet is the culet if it has one
◉ single cut. Answer: 17-18 facets
◉ fancy cuts. Answer: any shape other than round brilliant
◉ step cuts. Answer: long narrow facets in rows parallel to girdle on
both crown and pavillion- usually in 3 or 4 rows
FINAL PAPER SOLVED ITEMS ACCURATE
MARKING
◉ mineral. Answer: inorganic. most minerals are a combo of 2 or
more elements
◉ diamonds form. Answer: within 90-120 miles below earth's
surface
◉ value factos. Answer: features used to judge the quality and value
of stones - a diamonds value is based on its combo of the Four C's
◉ inclusions. Answer: clarity characteristic totally enclosed in a
polished gemstone or extending into it from the surface. affect value
most
◉ blemishes. Answer: clarity characteristic on the surface of a
gemstone (surface irregularity). includes scratches and knicks on a
surface
◉ rarest diamond colors. Answer: red, purple, green, orange- then
pink and blue
,◉ lab-grown. Answer: manmade material with the same chemical
composition, crystal structure, and properties
◉ simulants/imitations. Answer: simply look like naturals- not the
same composition (can be man made or natural) - cz, moissanite,
glass, zircon, LG spinel
◉ Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Answer: established by
congress in 1914 to protect consumers from unlawful business
◉ cut. Answer: how light performs in a stone- affects brightness, fire,
and scintillation
◉ brightness. Answer: effect of stone's internal and external
reflections of white light (brilliance)
◉ fire. Answer: flashes of color in a diamond
◉ scintillation. Answer: flashes of light and contrasting dark areas
seen when the diamond, light, or observer move
◉ crown. Answer: top part of diamond- above firdle
, ◉ girdle. Answer: narrow section between crown and pavillion-
functions as the setting edge
◉ pavillion. Answer: lower part- below girdle
◉ facets. Answer: flat, polished surface
◉ culet. Answer: small facet at bottom of stone
◉ brilliant cut. Answer: cutting style with triangular or kite shaped
facets that radiate from the center toward the girdle
◉ standard round brilliant. Answer: 57-58 facets (full cut) - 58th
facet is the culet if it has one
◉ single cut. Answer: 17-18 facets
◉ fancy cuts. Answer: any shape other than round brilliant
◉ step cuts. Answer: long narrow facets in rows parallel to girdle on
both crown and pavillion- usually in 3 or 4 rows
