How We Grade

Expert eyes, powered by
the best technology

Every diamond is graded by hand with uncompromising standards, supported by advanced techniques for absolute precision.
Color icon.
Color icon.

Color

Compared to master stones under controlled conditions to determine hue and saturation.
Compared to master stones under controlled conditions to determine hue and saturation.

Color Tone

Subtle undertones — brown, grey, or blue — assessed using expert evaluation and advanced optical tools.
Undertones like brown, gray, or blue — disclosed through expert evaluation and optical tools.
Clarity icon.
Clarity icon.

Clarity

Inspected under 10× magnification to identify and classify inclusions and surface features.
Inspected under 10× magnification to identify and classify inclusions and surface features.

Growth Lines

Examined with magnification to reveal internal growth patterns that may affect transparency or structure.
Internal growth patterns — none, slight, moderate, or distinct — identified through expert review.
Diamond Cut icon.
Diamond Cut icon.

Cut

Stricter standards for round diamonds; also applied to fancy shapes based on depth, table, angles, and proportions.
Stricter standards for rounds, also applied to fancy shapes based on depth, table, and proportions.

Visual Performance

A weighted score of light behavior, symmetry, and precision — reflecting overall brilliance, fire, and balance.
Weighted score of brilliance, fire, symmetry, and precision — showing overall face-up beauty.
Grading Diamond Quality.

Our Standard vs. Soft Grading

Not All Grading is Equal
Green Checkmark icon.

What VeraLume Reveals

Honest Grading
Strict, GIA-referenced standards
Color Tone Disclosure
e.g., Brown Tint visibly noted
Growth Line Identification
e.g., Moderate Growth Lines
Visual Performance Score
e.g., 80% — Good
Red Minus icon.

What Soft Grading Overlooks

Lack of Transparency
Standards applied unevenly, reducing accuracy.
Inflated Color Grade
Subtle brown or grey tones ignored
Inaccurate Clarity Grade
Inclusions that affect beauty go under-reported
Performance
No measure of sparkle, balance, or structural features
Green Checkmark icon.

What VeraLume Reveals

arrow-down icon
Honest Grading
Strict, GIA-referenced standards
Color Tone Disclosure
e.g., Brown Tint visibly noted
Growth Line Identification
e.g., Moderate Growth Lines
Visual Performance Score
e.g., 84% — Fair
Red Minus icon.

What Soft Grading Overlooks

arrow-down icon
Lack of Transparency
Standards applied unevenly, reducing accuracy.
Inflated Color Grade
Subtle brown or grey tones ignored
Inaccurate Clarity Grade
Inclusions that affect beauty go under-reported
Visual Performance Score
No measure of sparkle, balance, or structural features

Same Diamond, Different Grades

The same diamond, two very different outcomes.
Red Minus icon.
Soft Grading
E / VS1 — “Perfect on Paper”
Green Checkmark icon.
VeraLume Standard
G / SI1 — Brown Tone • Moderate Growth Lines • VP: 80% (Good)
VeraLume Standard Grading.

Same Grade, Different Standards

Not all E/VS1 diamonds are equal.
Red Minus icon.
Soft Grading
E/VS1: On paper, appears high quality — but shows undertones, inclusions, and weaker performance.
Green Checkmark icon.
VeraLume Standard
E/VS1: Truly meets the strict standard — crisp, bright, free from undertones, with a high Visual Performance score.

Cut Grading, Redefined

Most labs grade only round diamonds. Veralume applies stricter standards for rounds and assigns cut grades to fancy shapes.
Red Minus icon.
Limited Standards
Cut grades applied only to round diamonds, often with broad, lenient criteria.
Green Checkmark icon.
Comprehensive Evaluation
Stricter thresholds for rounds and full cut grading for fancy shapes based on depth, table, angles, and proportions.
Diamond Cut Grading Evaluation.Diamond Cut Grading Evaluation.
Ideal+
Ideal
Very Good
Good
Fair
Poor
GIA grading report - Each qualifying diamond also includes a GIA grading report for independent verification
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Each diamond is independently graded using strict industry-referenced methods. Reports reflect conditions at the time of evaluation.
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