Sorting is the third step in the diamond commodity chain. Rough diamonds are sorted into thousands of different value categories. These categories are dependent on the diamond’s size, shape, color, and quality. Diamond experts are capable of determining the value of each unique diamond as they carry out the sorting process.
The lowest quality diamonds are used for industrial purposes such as drilling. The highest quality diamonds are given a Kimberley Process certificate to prove they are from a conflict free zone, then they are distributed to the gem market for the next steps in the commodity chain.