GIA Diamond Essentials Exam Questions and Answers 100% Correctly Solved

chemical element - consists of only one kind of atom mineral - inorganic. most minerals are a combo of 2 or more elements diamonds form - within 90-120 miles below earth's surface value factors - features used to judge the quality and value of stones - a diamonds value is based on its combo of the Four C's inclusions - clarity characteristic totally enclosed in a polished gemstone or extending into it from the surface. affect value most blemishes - clarity characteristic on the surface of a gemstone (surface irregularity). includes scratches and Knicks on a surface rarest diamond colors - red, purple, green, orange- then pink and blue lab-grown - manmade material with the same chemical composition, crystal structure, and properties simulants/imitations - simply look like naturals- not the same composition (can be manmade or natural) - cz, moissanite, glass, zircon, LG spinel Federal Trade Commission (FTC) - established by congress in 1914 to protect consumers from unlawful business cut - how light performs in a stone- affects brightness, fire, and scintillation brightness - effect of stone's internal and external reflections of white light (brilliance) fire - flashes of color in a diamond scintillation - flashes of light and contrasting dark areas seen when the diamond, light, or observer move crown - top part of diamond- above firdle girdle - narrow section between crown and pavillion- functions as the setting edge pavillion - lower part- below girdle facets - flat, polished surface culet - small facet at bottom of stone brilliant cut - cutting style with triangular or kite shaped facets that radiate from the center toward the girdle standard round brilliant - 57-58 facets (full cut) - 58th facet is the culet if it has one single cut - 17-18 facets fancy cuts - any shape other than round brilliant step cuts - long narrow facets in rows parallel to girdle on both crown and pavillionusually in 3 or 4 rows mixed cuts - cut that combines brilliant and step cut styles - usually step facets are on crown and brilliant on pavillion branded cuts - style developed, named, and promoted by a specific manufacturer carat - unit of weight. one carat is 0.2 grams durability - gemstones ability to withstand wear, heat, and chemicals - 3 properties: hardness, toughness, stability hardness - resistance to scratching and abrasion toughness - resistance to breaking and chipping - diamonds are less tough where the atoms are not bonded as tightly together stability - ability to resist chemicals and temperature changes Moh's scale - ranking of relative hardness of 10 minerals. Established 1822 by Fredrick Mohs