GIA diamond is a term you’ll find when engagement ring shopping – short for a diamond graded by GIA, the creator of the 4Cs and the independent, diamond authority. It is an independent, nonprofit organization that conducts gem research, educates gem professionals and sets the standards for determining diamond quality. One of GIA’s main functions is the grading of diamonds. You may have already heard or learned about the 4Cs of diamond quality: color, clarity, cut and carat weight. GIA created this standard, along with the scientific procedures for evaluating each “C” and the grading terminology used to describe them.

GIA does not mine diamonds, nor does it buy, sell or trade them commercially. It doesn’t appraise diamonds and is not otherwise involved in diamond pricing or valuation. It operates independently of these commercial interests, ensuring that it’s diamond quality assessments are completely objective and unbiased.

If you want to know the quality of the diamond you’re considering – and you should, because quality and price go hand in hand – then you should look for GIA-graded diamonds and the diamond grading reports that will accompany them.