How to Read a Diamond Inventory List

A diamond inventory list compresses the commercial and gemological details of many diamonds into searchable rows. Start with shape, carat weight, colour and clarity. Then check cut where applicable, polish, symmetry, fluorescence, laboratory, report number, measurements, price and availability. Before ordering, compare the listing with the laboratory report, inspect available images or video, confirm that the supplier can deliver the stone and calculate the complete landed cost.

The inventory row is a filtering tool—not proof that the diamond is attractive, correctly listed, immediately available or suitable for your customer.

View Dalila Diamonds’ current inventory

A Worked Diamond Inventory Example

A simplified inventory row might look like this:

RD | 1.02 | G | VS2 | EX | EX | EX | NONE | GIA | 1234XXXXXX | 6.48 × 6.44 × 3.97 mm | 57% | 61.6% | ANT | STPS | $6,250/ct

Here is how to read it:

At the illustrative rate shown, the basic stone price would be:

1.02 × $6,250 \= $6,375

This is not a live quotation. Freight, insurance, taxes, duties, currency conversion, payment terms and other costs may change the final landed amount.

Important Inventory Fields Explained

Stock or lot number

The stock number is the supplier’s internal reference for the diamond.

Example: DD-10482

Use it when requesting the report, video, availability confirmation or invoice. A stock number is not the same as a laboratory report number.

Shape

Shape describes the diamond’s outline and cutting style.

Common abbreviations include:

Abbreviations are not completely standardised. Check the supplier’s data dictionary before assuming what an unfamiliar code means.

Carat weight

Carat is a measurement of weight, not face-up diameter. One carat equals 0.20 grams.

Example: 1.02 means 1.02 carats.

Two diamonds with the same carat weight can have different visible dimensions. A deeper diamond can carry more weight below the girdle and appear smaller from above.

For a fuller explanation, see the Diamond Carat Weight Guide.

Colour

For diamonds in the normal D–Z colour range, the listing usually shows a letter.

Example: G

D represents the top of the colourless scale, followed by E, F and progressively more noticeable colour through Z. The best commercial choice depends on the setting, diamond shape, budget and customer preference—not simply the highest available grade.

Fancy-colour diamonds require separate colour descriptions covering factors such as hue and intensity. Do not interpret a fancy yellow, pink or blue diamond using only the ordinary D–Z field.

Clarity

Clarity grades describe the relative visibility and significance of inclusions and blemishes under the laboratory’s grading conditions.

Common inventory grades include:

FL, IF, VVS1, VVS2, VS1, VS2, SI1, SI2 and I grades

Example: VS2

The code alone does not reveal the exact location, colour, relief or durability significance of an inclusion. Two VS2 diamonds can look different face-up. Review the report’s clarity information and inspect the stone or suitable media.

See Diamond Clarity Grades Explained for the complete clarity scale.

Cut grade

Cut grade must be read carefully because it is not identical to diamond shape.

For a standard D–Z Round Brilliant, a GIA report can contain an overall cut grade. GIA explains that its natural-diamond reports also include polish, symmetry and fluorescence, while its conventional overall cut grade applies to standard Round Brilliant diamonds in the D–Z range. See GIA’s natural-diamond report information.

Many fancy-shaped diamonds do not carry that same overall GIA cut grade. If an Oval row contains two EX values, those values may refer to polish and symmetry—not an Excellent overall cut grade.

Always check the column headings and the original laboratory report.

Polish and symmetry

Polish assesses the quality and condition of the facet surfaces. Symmetry assesses the alignment and relationship of facets and the diamond’s outline.

Common codes include:

For a Round Brilliant, EX | EX | EX commonly means Excellent cut, Excellent polish and Excellent symmetry. It may be shortened to 3EX or “Triple Excellent.”

Triple Excellent is a useful filter, but it does not mean that every qualifying diamond has identical proportions or appearance.

Fluorescence

The fluorescence field describes the diamond’s reaction under long-wave ultraviolet light.

Common abbreviations include:

Some systems also identify the fluorescence colour, commonly blue.

Fluorescence is not automatically positive or negative. Its relevance depends on the individual diamond, strength, colour grade, appearance and customer preference.

Grading laboratory

The laboratory field identifies the organisation associated with the grading report.

Common codes include:

• GIA
• IGI
• HRD

The laboratory name is not enough. Check the report number, report type, issue date, measurements, comments and any inscription information.

For broader guidance, use the Diamond Grading Report Guide. Laboratory differences belong on the GIA vs IGI vs HRD comparison, not on this page.

Report or certificate number

The report number connects the inventory listing with the grading laboratory’s record.

Before buying:

1. Open the issuing laboratory’s official verification service.
2. Enter the report number.
3. Compare the shape, carat, colour, clarity and measurements.
4. Review comments, proportions and any available clarity plot.
5. Confirm that the physical diamond corresponds to the report and inscription where applicable.

Official verification services include:

• GIA Report Check
• IGI Verify Your Report
• My HRD Antwerp

Online verification confirms the laboratory record associated with the number. It does not independently confirm that a supplier possesses the diamond or that the physical stone being offered is the same item.

Measurements

Measurements show the diamond’s physical dimensions in millimetres.

A Round Brilliant is commonly presented as:

minimum diameter × maximum diameter × depth

A fancy shape is commonly presented as:

length × width × depth

GIA’s report guide describes these measurement formats in its guide to reading a diamond grading report.

Round example: 6.48 × 6.44 × 3.97 mm

Oval example: 9.15 × 6.35 × 3.92 mm

Measurements help assess face-up size, outline and weight distribution. They should be considered alongside carat weight and proportions.

Length-to-width ratio

Ratio is particularly useful for fancy shapes.

Calculate it as:

length ÷ width

For a 9.15 × 6.35 mm Oval:

9.15 ÷ 6.35 \= approximately 1.44

Ratio describes outline—not beauty. Two Ovals with the same ratio can have different shoulders, bow-tie patterns and facet appearances.

Table and depth percentages

The table percentage describes the width of the table facet relative to the diamond. Total depth compares the diamond’s depth with its width or average diameter, depending on shape and reporting method.

Example:

• Table: 57%
• Depth: 61.6%

Do not reject or approve a diamond using one percentage alone. Light performance and appearance result from the interaction of several proportions and facets.

Crown, pavilion, girdle and culet

Advanced inventory feeds may include:

• Crown angle or height
• Pavilion angle or depth
• Girdle thickness
• Girdle condition
• Culet size
• Star length
• Lower-half length

These details can help experienced buyers compare Round Brilliant proportions or investigate potential durability and appearance issues. They should not replace the complete grading report or visual review.

Treatment field

The treatment field indicates whether the diamond is listed as untreated or has undergone a disclosed treatment.

Possible entries may refer to:

• Laser drilling
• Irradiation
• Fracture filling or clarity enhancement
• Colour enhancement
• HPHT treatment
• No treatment stated

Rapaport Trade’s current field guide requires listed treatments to be disclosed and provides accepted treatment codes. See the Rapaport Trade diamond fields and values.

Never assume that “natural diamond” automatically means “natural and untreated.” Confirm the exact product description and match it with the laboratory report.

Laser inscription and report comments

An inventory may include a laser-inscription field or selected laboratory comments.

Check whether:

• The report number is inscribed.
• Other text or branding is present.
• The report discloses treatments or additional observations.
• The listing has omitted an important report comment.

An inscription can assist identification, but it is not a replacement for examining the diamond and verifying the complete report.

Eye-clean, shade and BGM fields

Some trade platforms contain seller-supplied appearance fields such as:

• Eye clean
• Shade
• Black inclusion
• Milky
• No BGM

On Rapaport Trade, “No BGM” is associated with no brown or green tinge and no milky or cloudy appearance in the relevant listing fields. The platform’s current explanation is available in its inventory-upload guidance.

These fields can improve filtering, but their presence does not guarantee appearance. Definitions and viewing standards can differ between suppliers. Confirm important observations through consistent video, inspection or an agreed viewing process.

Images and video

Media can reveal characteristics that a short inventory row cannot adequately describe.

For Round Brilliants, examine:

• Bright and dark pattern
• Inclusion visibility
• Overall consistency
• Obvious damage

For Ovals, Pears and Marquises, examine:

• Bow-tie appearance
• Outline and shoulders
• Facet pattern
• Length-to-width balance

For Emerald and Asscher cuts, examine:

• Windowing
• Step pattern
• Inclusion visibility
• Symmetry of the outline

Ask whether the media shows the exact diamond. Confirm that the stock or report number matches.

Seller and diamond location

A listing may show both the supplier’s location and the location of the diamond. These may not be the same.

Location can affect:

• Inspection access
• Delivery time
• Shipping
• Insurance
• Customs requirements
• Currency exposure
• Tax treatment
• Customer deadlines

“Location: Antwerp” normally describes where the diamond is commercially held or offered. It does not mean the diamond was mined in Belgium.

Mining origin and provenance require separate documentation. See the Diamond Origin Report Guide.

Availability

Common status codes can include:

Rapaport Trade currently explains G, STPS and M in its diamond search-results guide.

These are platform-specific statuses. Even when an inventory displays an availability code, reconfirm the stone before promising it to a customer, accepting a deposit or committing to a delivery date.

Price per carat

Price per carat is the listed rate for each carat of diamond weight.

Formula:

price per carat × carat weight \= basic stone price

Illustrative example:

$6,250 per carat × 1.02 carats = $6,375

Check the currency and determine whether the figure is a cash, memo, credit or asking price.

Total price

Total price is the amount quoted for the complete diamond before or after specified charges, depending on the supplier’s system.

Confirm whether it includes:

• Shipping
• Insurance
• VAT
• Customs duty
• Broker or platform fees
• Currency-conversion costs
• Payment charges

Do not confuse the price-per-carat figure with the total amount payable.

Rapaport price or discount

Some professional inventory systems display a percentage relative to the applicable Rapaport Price List category.

Example: -20

This generally means that the listed rate is 20% below the applicable Rapaport benchmark—not that the diamond is universally worth 20% more or less than another stone.

A larger discount is not automatically a better opportunity. Differences can reflect fluorescence, proportions, inclusions, availability, location, payment terms, seller requirements or other market factors.

The Rapaport Price List is a proprietary benchmark. It is not an independent appraisal or a guaranteed transaction price. For a complete pricing explanation, read Diamond Wholesale Pricing Explained.

Currency, payment and commercial terms

Confirm:

• Currency
• Payment deadline
• Cash or credit terms
• Minimum order
• Memo eligibility
• Return conditions
• Reservation period
• Invoice entity
• Shipping responsibility
• Insurance responsibility

These conditions may not fit inside the main inventory row. Obtain them in writing before ordering.

Origin and provenance documentation

A basic inventory row may contain a source or origin field, but that entry must not be treated as conclusive evidence by itself.

Where origin is important, request the relevant documentation and check whether the claim refers to:

• Mining origin
• Country of polishing
• Seller location
• Report-issue location
• Commercial shipment location
• A branded sourcing programme

These terms are not interchangeable.

The Best Order for Reading an Inventory List

Use four passes instead of attempting to analyse every field simultaneously.

Pass 1: Match the buying brief

Check:

1. Natural, laboratory-grown or another product category
2. Shape
3. Carat range
4. Colour range
5. Clarity range
6. Laboratory or report requirement
7. Budget

Remove listings that do not match the brief.

Pass 2: Assess the specification

Check:

1. Cut grade where applicable
2. Polish
3. Symmetry
4. Fluorescence
5. Measurements
6. Ratio
7. Table and depth
8. Girdle and culet
9. Treatment
10. Appearance-related comments

Pass 3: Verify the diamond

Check:

1. Laboratory report
2. Report number
3. Listing-to-report match
4. Images
5. Video
6. Inscription where applicable
7. Supplier identity
8. Actual availability

Pass 4: Evaluate the transaction

Check:

1. Price per carat
2. Total stone price
3. Currency
4. Payment terms
5. Shipping and insurance
6. Taxes and customs
7. Return conditions
8. Complete landed cost
9. Suitability for the customer

Common Inventory-Reading Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors:

• Treating carat weight as visual size.
• Reading polish and symmetry as a fancy shape’s overall cut grade.
• Assuming every EX EX EX diamond looks identical.
• Choosing the highest clarity without reviewing the inclusions.
• Treating fluorescence as automatically undesirable.
• Assuming the largest Rapaport discount represents the best diamond.
• Confusing price per carat with total price.
• Assuming seller location proves mining origin.
• Treating “eye-clean” or “No BGM” as a laboratory guarantee.
• Assuming a listed diamond remains available.
• Ordering without matching the listing to the grading report.
• Presenting a diamond to a customer before confirming the complete landed price and delivery date.

Final Inventory Verification Checklist

Before ordering or presenting a diamond, confirm:

• Stock number
• Product category
• Shape
• Carat weight
• Colour
• Clarity
• Cut grade where applicable
• Polish
• Symmetry
• Fluorescence
• Laboratory
• Report number
• Report verification
• Measurements
• Ratio for a fancy shape
• Table and depth
• Girdle and culet
• Treatment disclosure
• Report comments
• Images and video
• Supplier identity
• Diamond location
• Availability
• Price per carat
• Total price
• Currency and payment terms
• Shipping and insurance
• Taxes or customs where applicable
• Return or rejection terms
• Provenance documentation where claimed
• Complete landed cost

Frequently Asked Questions

Move From Inventory Results to a Verified Shortlist

A good inventory search reduces thousands of diamonds to a manageable selection. The final choice still requires report verification, visual assessment, supplier confirmation and a clear understanding of the commercial terms.

Browse Dalila Diamonds’ current inventory and request confirmation of the grading information, availability, documentation and final price for the individual diamond you are considering.

Inventory availability and pricing can change. A listing should not be treated as a binding offer until the individual diamond and transaction terms have been confirmed.