Back to gem encyclopedia

Diamond

Diamonds are among nature’s most precious and beautiful creations.

See gem as
Polished
Rough

Tools

Research

A piece of diamond rough with green body color and triangular etchings on the surface.

Article

GIA Researchers Reveal the Secrets to Diamond-in-a-Diamond Mystery

Stephen Morisseau, January 10, 2020

GIA researchers in NY recently had the opportunity to examine one of the most interesting and unique diamond crystals ever found.

Patrick O’Shea stands in front of a staircase at the Javits Center in New York City.

Article

The Curious Life of Patrick O’Shea: From Ballistics Detective to Gemologist and Jewelry Designer

, January 10, 2020

Patrick O’Shea’s life’s journey has led him down many career paths until they all came together as a designer who specializes in masonic jewelry.

Article

2019 in Review: Diamond Trade Begins Recovery, Jewelry Retail Blooms Late, Extraordinary Auction Sales

Russell Shor, December 16, 2019

2019: A year of ups and downs in the gem and jewelry industry, including diamonds, retail, auction sales and laboratory-grown diamonds.

A face-up view of a cushion cut diamond with blue color.

Article

Gems & Gemology’s 7 Most Unusual Encounters from 2019

Stuart Overlin, Brooke Goedert and Kellie Giordano, December 13, 2019

Check out some of the most interesting and unusual diamonds and colored stones submitted to GIA’s laboratories in 2019.

A rectangular cut Fancy Deep blue diamond is framed by two pear shaped diamonds.

Article

Diamond Market in Recovery, Top-end Auction Results

Russell Shor, November 19, 2019

World’s two largest diamond producers say market is stabilizing after several months of severe cutbacks in rough sales. Christie’s and Sotheby’s sales.

Hydrogen-Rich Green Diamond Color-Treated by Multi-Step Processing

Wenqing Huang, Pei Ni, Ting Shui, and Guanghai Shi, November 15, 2019

Characterization of an intense yellowish green faceted diamond revealed a complex treatment process.

Gemstones in the Era of the Taj Mahal and the Mughals

Dona Mary Dirlam, Chris L. Rogers, and Robert Weldon, November 15, 2019

A look at the gem ornamentation of this landmark, as well as the jewels of the Mughal dynasty.

The Black Orlov and two Fancy white diamonds

Natural-Color Fancy White and Fancy Black Diamonds: Where Color and Clarity Converge

Sally Eaton-Magaña, Troy Ardon, Christopher M. Breeding, and James E. Shigley, November 15, 2019

A systematic study of the properties of approximately 500 Fancy white and 1,200 Fancy black diamonds.

A row of various shaped cut and polished pink diamonds.

Article

Why are Pink Diamonds Pink? GIA Researchers Dive Deep into their Crystal Structure

Russell Shor, October 21, 2019

GIA researchers analyzed more than 90,000 natural pink diamonds to better understand how these rare and beautiful diamonds formed and got their color.

A diamond necklace that features a 100.02 Fancy Intense yellow diamond. The pendant is done in the shape of a musical instrument.

Article

Bullish Predictions for 2019 Holiday Sales Despite Concerns, Sotheby’s Hong Kong Auction Sales

Russell Shor, October 21, 2019

U.S. holiday sales predictions are better than expected. Sotheby’s Hong Kong auction features a 100 ct yellow diamond necklace by GIA alumna Anna Hu.

This Month's

Featured Gems

Peridot

Found in lava, meteorites, and deep in the earth’s mantle, yellow-green peridot is the extreme gem.

Fancy Color Diamond

Dazzling brilliance. Captivating color. These are the planet’s most valued gems.

Diamond

Diamonds are among nature’s most precious and beautiful creations.

Emerald

Emerald is the bluish green to green variety of beryl, a mineral species that includes aquamarine.

Citrine

Citrine is the transparent, pale yellow to brownish orange variety of quartz.

View the Gem Encyclopedia

Diamond

Research

Reviewed

Topics

Topics

Gemstones

Gemstones

Featured Gems

Peridot

Fancy Color Diamond

Diamond

Emerald

Citrine

Diamond

Research

Reviewed

Topics

Topics

Gemstones

Gemstones

Featured Gems

Peridot

Fancy Color Diamond

Diamond

Emerald

Citrine

You Might Also Like

Find a Retailer

Shop the Campus Store

Grading Promotions

G&G Fall 2019 Edition