Loose GIA Certified Diamonds: Buy Online Cheap

Sharif Khan
Sharif Khan
Last Updated    EST 
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Markups on loose GIA certified diamonds online are modest, often ranging from 10 to 20%, as opposed to local prices that can surge to over 100%. At the same time, understanding important quality factors and buying GIA certified diamonds online with a credible retailer is critical.

We recommend the following five retailers for buying GIA certified diamonds at the best prices. In addition to highlighting the best retailers, this guide provides comprehensive insights into shape, cut, clarity, color, certification, and fluorescence to help with the diamond buying process.


James Allen

We highly recommend James Allen as our favorite online retailer for loose GIA certified diamonds and engagement rings. James Allen is one of the largest diamond companies globally and has the best customer service in the industry. Not only do they offer a price match policy, but they are also credited with transforming the diamond industry.

James Allen Diamonds

Blue Nile

If you want the trust and reliability of a strong brand, Blue Nile stands out as one of the best and pioneering brands in the industry. We deeply respect Blue Nile for its accomplishments over the last two decades. For further insights, read our Blue Nile review

Whiteflash

As one of our top retailers, Whiteflash is well-known for its precision-cut ideal diamonds. Recently, they have also started offering lab-created ideal cut diamonds. Moreover, they offer designer engagement ring brands, including TacoriVerragio, and A Jaffe. As a consistent BBB top award-winners for excellence in all categories, they are a top choice to consider. For further details, read our Whiteflash review.

Brilliant Earth

Brilliant Earth is a publicly traded fine jewelry company. It specializes in lab-grown diamonds and prioritizes sustainability and ethical sourcing as its primary concerns. However, diamonds sourced by our other top vendors are also ethically mined and/or grown. Learn more about lab vs. natural diamonds, and check our Brilliant Earth review for further details.

Brian Gavin Diamonds

Brian Gavin Diamonds presents an excellent option, particularly if you seek an ideal cut diamond and have previously considered Whiteflash. Renowned in the diamond industry, Brian Gavin's name is synonymous with advancing round shape diamond cuts, notably as the creator of the Hearts & Arrows diamond. Notably, Brian Gavin carries the legacy of being a fifth-generation diamond cutter. To learn more, check our Brain Gavin Diamonds review.

Key Highlights

  • GIA is one of the best grading labs in the world. When shopping for a loose diamond, ensure it comes with a GIA grading report.
  • Before making a final decision, be sure to learn more about cut proportions, color, clarity, and fluorescence below.
  • Watch HD Videos of GIA Certified true heart and Astor ideal cut Diamonds.

Buying GIA Certified Diamonds

Search and shop loose GIA certified diamonds at our top-rated retailer. This retailer is renowned for pioneering high-definition video technology for viewing and inspecting diamonds. They also offer competitive pricing alongside unparalleled customer service. The company's commitment to long-term support further enhances its appeal.

With a robust decades-long presence in the diamond industry and a track record of trading diamonds valued at millions of dollars, we offer a wealth of experience. If you desire the assistance of a dedicated and knowledgeable diamond consultant to guide you through your choices, please contact us. We are here to help ensure your diamond buying experience is joyful and free of stress, especially for investment-grade GIA certified diamonds.

GIA Certified Diamonds Quality Factors

A diamond's shape, weight, Cut, clarity, color, certification, and fluorescence are all crucial factors to consider when buying a diamond. As such, we have provided a summary of key insights buyers should consider under these critical factors.

diamond quality factors

Factor 1: Diamond Shape

The "shape" is how the diamond looks, and the "cut" refers to the quality of the craftsmanship while cutting a diamond into a particular shape, e.g., a round cut or an oval cut. A diamond's shape impacts its price because certain shapes might require larger unpolished stones. For example, a round shaped diamond is 20-30% more expensive than a princess cut or cushion cut diamond.

It could take a 2 carat rough diamond to cut a perfect 1 carat round brilliant cut. In comparison, it might take a 1.5 carat rough diamond to cut a princess cut diamond [a round 1 carat diamond is usually 6.5mm in diameter, and a 1 carat princess cut is roughly 5.5mm]. As a result of the size difference, round cut diamonds are priced higher than other shapes

Factor 2: Diamond Carat Weight

After determining the shape of a diamond, the next step is to learn about the carat weight of a diamond. Typically, a diamond is weighed in carats, and each carat is 200 milligrams or 0.2 grams. The price of a diamond increases significantly as it reaches a full carat. Once a diamond reaches the 2 or carat range, the price is multiplied by many times because larger stones are rare and, therefore, more expensive. For instance, if all other factors are considered equal, a 2 carat diamond will cost three to four times the price of a 1 carat diamond. This is because a 2 carat diamond is more scarce or rare to mine than a 1 carat diamond.

Tip: If you want to save money, buying a 1.9 carat diamond may be less expensive than a full 2 carat diamond. The price jumps significantly once the diamond reaches a full carat range.

Factor 3: Diamond Cut

ideal cut diamond

The cut of a diamond is essential because it is the only C determined by a cutter and not nature. The cut of a diamond is complex, and several factors must be considered while evaluating a diamond's cut quality. GIA only assigns a cut grade to round diamonds and does not yet have a standard grading system for fancy cut stones such as a princess cut.

The good news is that we have published detailed articles about each shape and how to assess its cut. For example, check our guide on oval cut diamonds.

Tip 1: Even among GIA excellent cut round diamonds, there is a way to differentiate between an excellent cut diamond and what we refer to as an "ideal supercut" diamond. The best way to distinguish between them is by thoroughly analyzing the cut proportions of the diamond (read our article on ideal cut proportions).

Tip 2: In both round and fancy cut diamonds, the depth and table are the most important factors in determining the quality of the cut, followed by the size of the girdle, culet, crown angle, and pavilion. Length-to-width ratios are also important in fancy shape stones.

Tip 3: Dealers tend to cut a diamond deep to save the original rough stone. It is best to avoid a diamond with a large depth. A large table is also not recommended because it will lack optimal fire and brilliance.

Factor 4: Diamond Color

diamond color chart

Color is the second most important C in diamonds after cut, as it affects the whole body of a stone, not a particular spot, as is often the case with clarity.

Color refers to a yellowish hue or tint in a white diamond and is graded from grade D (colorless) to grade Z (light yellow). D to F color grades are considered colorless, G to J are near colorless (however, there is a big difference between G and J color), K to M grades are faint yellow, N to R are very light yellow, and S to Z grades are light yellow.

Tip: We recommend D, E, F, and G as excellent color ranges. H and I diamonds are also excellent budget options. J is our lowest recommendation unless some yellowish tint is preferred in a diamond.

Factor 5: Diamond Clarity

diamond clarity chart

The clarity of a diamond is important because it directly affects its brilliance. If a diamond is full of inclusions, the stone will not sparkle and will lack luster, fire, and scintillation.

The diamond industry has developed a sophisticated system for grading a diamond's clarity, with Flawless (FL) being the highest grade and Included 3 (I3) being the lowest grade.

FL and IF (Internally Flawless) are excellent grades. Very Very Slightly Included 1 (VVS1) and Very Slightly Included 2 (VVS2) are almost flawless clarity grades. VS1 and VS2 are after VVS2 and are often considered eye-clean diamonds. Slightly Included 1 (SI1) and Slightly Included 2 (SI2) are at the lower end of high-quality diamonds and are close to being eye-clean in diamonds under 1 carat. Included 1 (I1) and Included 3 (I3) are the lowest clarity grades.

Tip: FL, IF, and VVS/VS1 are excellent premium-grade diamonds. VS2 is a good option to consider while prioritizing quality and budget. SI1 and SI2 need extensive due diligence in the above-one-carat diamonds to avoid inclusions that might affect a diamond's brilliance.

Factor 6: Diamond Fluorescence

Fluorescence is an invisible glow that a diamond emits when exposed to ultraviolet rays. It ranges from None to Very Strong Blue, with Faint, Medium, and Strong Blue being the other ranges.

According to a GIA study, the appearance of around 10% of diamonds was negatively affected among all diamonds that emitted fluorescence. Fluorescence can negatively influence the price of a diamond by up to 25%.

In summary, fluorescence can be a helpful factor for buyers on a tight budget. It can make H or lower color grade diamonds look whiter because fluorescence is often blue, a complementary color to yellow.

Tip: Fluorescence can be a plus in H and lower color grade diamonds. However, no fluorescence is always much better in higher color grades such as D to G. If you go with fluorescence in D to G colors, ensure a valid return policy if the diamond is among the 10% of stones badly affected by fluorescence.

Factor 7: Diamond Certification

While it is commonly referred to as "diamond certification," within the diamond industry, we refer to the "certificates" as grading reports. Among the many labs that offer grading services, the best lab is GIA (the Gemological Institute of America), a non-profit organization dedicated to educating customers about diamonds and other gemstones.

Tip: We strongly encourage shoppers to buy a diamond with a GIA grading report to avoid getting riffed off. If a dealer offers a good deal on a stone graded by a bogus lab or not graded at all, there is a strong reason to be concerned.

4Cs in Loose GIA Certified Diamonds

A balanced approach to buying diamonds is recommended, which entails prioritizing the best of all 4Cs and fluorescence in a diamond within a given budget range. While carat weight is important, the quality of the cut should always be prioritized. Color and clarity are also important factors.

A balanced approach implies that buying a well cut 2 carat diamond with higher clarity and color grade might be a better option than buying a 3 carat SI2, J color diamond.

Four Scenarios to Consider

Buyers often pick one of the following four scenarios when prioritizing the 4Cs.

  • Best Quality Scenario: Buy a diamond in the investment grade range that is very high in all four Cs.
  • Best Value Scenario: Buy a high-quality diamond that is also big. For example, excellent cut GIA graded round diamonds in the 2 carat range, E-G color, VVS/VS clarity, and no fluorescence hold excellent value if bought at the right price.
  • Best Carat Weight Scenario: Buy a budget option that is still eye-clean, such as a diamond with H/I color and SI1 clarity. 
  • Best Budget Scenario: Compromise on color and buy a big diamond with high clarity and a great cut. A good example would be a 2 carat diamond with a L color, VVS2 clarity, and ideal cut. 

In short, no one-size-fits-all approach can be applied to diamonds because they are natural wonders, each unique with its own characteristics.

Evaluating GIA Grading Reports

In addition to the 4Cs, buyers should pay attention to the following key elements in a GIA grading report:

Measurements: This shows the surface size of the diamond (how big the diamond is).

Proportions: An exact calculation of the diamond's cut quality. See our recommended ideal cut proportions for reference.

Fluorescence: More like the 5th C that should not be ignored.

Comments: It will show if the diamond is enhanced or treated and offer other important details.

Clarity Plot: An exact outline of where the inclusions in a diamond are located and their types (it helps avoid bad inclusions and ones located right on the table at the center of the diamond).

oval cut GIA certificate

Watch the HD Video of this Diamond.

GIA Certification & Trade Digitization

The diamond industry has evolved and changed significantly over the last two decades due to technological developments. While traditional brick-and-mortar retailers are unhappy about how the trade has evolved, the change significantly favors consumers.

How? Online competition and the standardization of the diamond grading system have brought transparency into the industry. In addition, there was no universal standard for grading diamonds, and now the industry has established a universal language and grading system, famously known as the 4Cs.

Before these developments, buyers were at the mercy of local dealers for price and quality verification. However, now buyers can easily review diamond prices on three to four websites to determine a competitive price range. For example, a buyer can easily establish a competitive price for a 1 carat round diamond with G color and VSS clarity and an excellent cut with no fluorescence.

As far as grading is concerned, as long as a stone is graded or "certified" by GIA, there is no reason to be concerned if the stone is actually what it should be because GIA is one of the most consistent grading labs in the world.

GIA Certified Diamond Prices

Petra Gems regularly analyzes diamond prices and provides a comprehensive average estimation in our index. These prices fluctuate monthly, and we update our index as soon as a significant fluctuation is observed.

Besides the above quality factors, several other factors also influence diamond prices, including market demand and supply and macroeconomic conditions. The availability and supply of rough diamonds from large diamond companies, like De Beers and Alrosa, and trade regulations on import and export, are also primary factors.

Final Thoughts

Based on this guide's insights, buyers should be able to confidently select a GIA certified diamond at a competitive price within a given budget range. Moreover, buyers will appreciate the importance of buying a GIA graded diamond. In conclusion, we advise buyers to educate themselves on the basics of the 4Cs and other quality factors discussed in this guide and compare diamond prices on multiple websites before making a final decision on a substantial purchase.