Diamond Intelligence

Diamond Buyer's Guide:
4Cs, Certification & Sourcing

Everything a professional buyer needs — grading standards, conflict-free provenance, certificate comparison, and the industry bodies that keep the trade honest.

Grading Standards

The Four Cs

The universally accepted language of diamonds, first codified by the GIA in the 1950s. Every stone in our inventory is evaluated against all four.

01

Cut

The master variable — the only C entirely controlled by human craft. It determines brilliance, fire, and scintillation. A poorly cut D-Flawless will underperform a well-cut G-VS2 in perceived brightness.

The GIA grades round brilliants on a five-point scale. At Anand Exports our lapidary team in Surat are trained to the tolerances required to consistently achieve hearts-and-arrows optical symmetry.

ExcellentMaximum brilliance. Zero tolerance for deviation.
Very GoodReflects most light; minor proportional variance from ideal.
GoodReflects light well; visible to the experienced eye.
FairSome light loss; acceptable for accent stones.
PoorNot supplied by Anand Exports.
0Facets — round brilliant
0Inventory graded Ex / VG cut
±0.5°Crown angle tolerance (Excellent)
02

Color

The GIA D-to-Z scale. D is absolutely colorless; Z shows noticeable warmth. Our inventory spans D through M — the G–J range represents the highest-volume wholesale sweet spot for value.

Fancy color diamonds — yellows, pinks, blues — are graded on a completely separate scale and are outside standard inventory. Available on bespoke request.

D · E · F
ColorlessRarest, most prestigious. Commands a premium.
G · H · I · J
Near ColorlessMinute color only expert-detectable. Best wholesale value.
K · L · M
FaintSlight warmth face-up. Popular in warm-metal settings.
N – Z
LightVisible warmth. Not typical Anand Exports inventory.
D–MColor range stocked
G–JHighest-volume wholesale tier
1/100Proportion reaching D grade
03

Clarity

Clarity grades evaluate inclusions (internal) and blemishes (surface) under 10× magnification. No diamond is perfectly pure — inclusions form during crystal growth under extreme pressure.

Our inventory focuses on VS2–SI2 for volume trade — stones that are eye-clean or near eye-clean, offering the best clarity-value ratio for wholesale buyers.

FLFlawless — no inclusions or blemishes at 10×
IFInternally Flawless — no internal inclusions
VVSVery Very Slightly Included — minute inclusions
VSVery Slightly Included — minor inclusions
SISlightly Included — eye-clean at arm's length
I1–I3Included — visible to naked eye
0Grades on GIA scale
10×Magnification standard
VS2–SI2Primary wholesale range
04

Carat

Carat is a unit of mass, not physical size. One carat = exactly 0.2 grams, divided into 100 points. Price per carat rises exponentially — a 2ct stone costs far more than twice a 1ct of identical quality, because large rough is exponentially rarer.

Dimensions (mm diameter, depth) depend on cut proportions. A shallow poorly-cut stone can weigh the same as a well-cut stone yet appear larger while performing far worse optically.

0.25 carat round brilliant 0.25ct3.2mm
0.50 carat round brilliant 0.50ct5.2mm
1.00 carat round brilliant 1.00ct6.5mm
1.50 carat round brilliant 1.50ct7.4mm
2.00 carat round brilliant 2.00ct8.2mm

Approximate diameters of well-cut round brilliants at standard proportions (table 57%, depth 61.5%)

0.2gWeight of one carat
0.30–5ctStandard inventory range
+12×Price-per-carat jump 1ct→3ct
Provenance

Ethically Sourced,
Traceable to Origin

Every rough diamond we process can be traced to its country of origin. We source from six regulated, transparent markets and comply fully with the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme.

Kimberley Process

Kimberley Process

The KPCS is a joint government, industry, and civil-society initiative that certifies rough diamonds as conflict-free. Every parcel we receive is accompanied by a valid KP certificate and full documentation for every lot.

Mine-to-Market Chain

We work directly with licensed mining entities in Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Russia, Canada, and Australia — eliminating anonymous intermediary chains. Each parcel is recorded with origin documentation.

Community Standards

We partner only with mining operations meeting Responsible Jewellery Council standards — fair wages, safe conditions, and environmental rehabilitation. Our GJEPC and WFDB memberships hold us to peer review and independent audit.

Six source markets

🇧🇼 Botswana 🇳🇦 Namibia 🇿🇦 South Africa 🇷🇺 Russia 🇨🇦 Canada 🇦🇺 Australia
Industry Affiliations

Trade Partners &
Memberships

Organisations that set standards, enable market access, and keep the global diamond trade transparent. These memberships subject us to independent audits and peer accountability.

GIA

The world's foremost grading laboratory. Defines the 4Cs and trains graders globally. Our lapidary team are GIA-trained.

IGI

Fastest grading network for polished stones and the standard for lab-grown certification. Volume parcels through IGI Mumbai.

HRD Antwerp

The benchmark lab for Belgium and European wholesale. Stones destined for Antwerp are submitted here as a matter of buyer preference.

GJEPC

India's apex gem & jewellery export body, operating under the Ministry of Commerce. Mandatory for all registered exporters.

RapNet

The world's largest diamond trading network. Our live inventory is listed on RapNet, giving registered buyers direct access to our stock and pricing.

WFDB

World Federation of Diamond Bourses — global umbrella body. Membership means our trades are backed by international arbitration standards.

Kimberley Process

Every rough diamond parcel we process is KPCS-certified. The international mechanism that keeps conflict diamonds out of the legitimate supply chain.

Certificates

GIA vs IGI vs HRD

All three grade to internationally accepted standards. They differ in reputation, geographic preference, pricing, and turnaround — and choosing the right certificate affects resale value and buyer confidence.

GIA

Gemological Institute of America

  • Global gold standard — accepted in every market
  • Strictest grading consistency of all three labs
  • QR-verified online reports at gia.edu
  • Highest lab fee, 6–10 week turnaround

Best for: high-value solitaires, US / ME / HK resale

Most Popular

IGI

International Gemological Institute

  • Fastest turnaround (days in Antwerp, Mumbai, NY)
  • Dominant for lab-grown diamonds globally
  • Widely accepted: India, SE Asia, Europe
  • Grading seen as slightly more lenient than GIA

Best for: lab-grown, volume orders, Asian markets

HRD Antwerp

Hoge Raad voor Diamant, Antwerp

  • Benchmark certificate in Belgian & European wholesale
  • Fast turnaround for EU-bound stones
  • Rigorous standards comparable to GIA
  • Less recognised in US and Asian retail

Best for: European wholesale, Antwerp-based buyers

FactorGIAIGIHRD
Global recognitionHighestHighModerate
Grading strictnessStrictestModerateStrict
Turnaround (Surat)6–10 wks5–10 days2–4 wks
Lab-grown coverageYesSpecialistYes
Price premium vs uncert.15–25%8–15%10–20%
Best marketUS / ME / HKIndia / SEAEurope / IL
Buyer FAQ

Common Questions.

Which of the 4Cs should I prioritise for maximum value?

Cut always first — a poorly cut D-Flawless will underperform a well-cut G-VS2 in perceived brilliance. Our recommendation: Excellent or Very Good cut → G–H color → VS2–SI1 clarity → carat weight last. This yields eye-clean, high-performing stones at the best cost-per-unit ratio.

What is fluorescence and should it concern me?

Approximately 30% of gem-quality diamonds have some degree of blue fluorescence. In D–F stones, strong fluorescence can cause a milky appearance and is discounted. In G–J stones, faint-to-medium fluorescence is cosmetically neutral and can appear whiter in natural light. Our inventory notes always include the fluorescence grade.

What is the difference between natural and lab-grown diamonds?

Natural diamonds form over billions of years under geological pressure. Lab-grown are chemically identical but produced in weeks via HPHT or CVD. Natural diamonds command significant price premiums due to rarity. Lab-grown prices have declined sharply since 2022. Anand Exports handles primarily natural diamonds — see our detailed comparison page.

What is a GIA report and do all stones carry one?

A GIA report is an independent assessment detailing the 4Cs, dimensions, fluorescence, and inclusion plot. Not every stone carries one — stones under 0.30ct are typically sold as parcels with melee sizing only. For 0.30ct and above we can supply GIA, IGI, or HRD-certified stones on request.

How do I read a Rapaport price sheet?

The Rapaport Price List (Rap Sheet) is the benchmark wholesale price list, issued weekly. Prices are listed per carat in a table by size range × color + clarity, in USD. Market transactions happen at a percentage "below Rap" (e.g. −20% Rap). Registered buyers can access live prices on our inventory page.

Do you supply matched pairs and melee parcels?

Yes. Matched pairs for studs (within one sub-grade, balanced table ±0.05mm), and melee parcels in standard sieve sizes from 1.00–1.05mm up to 3.80–3.90mm. Custom color/clarity specification available on orders above 2ct total weight per lot.

What is your minimum order quantity?

For certified single stones there is no minimum. For parcels and melee, the minimum is 0.50ct total weight per lot. For bespoke cutting on rough, the minimum is 1 carat of rough, yielding approximately 0.40–0.50ct of polished output.

Ready to Source

Speak to Our
Trading Team.

Tell us your specification — shape, carat range, color, clarity, certification — and we will return a matching inventory list within 24 hours.

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