Diamond Clarity

Diamond clarity is an amount of light that can pass through a diamond structure and not to reflect or refract any way. The higher the clarity of a diamond, higher is the price.

The factors that affect the diamond clarity are flaws that can be internal or external. Internal flaws are also known as inclusions and external flaws are called blemishes.

Almost all of the diamonds in the world have some sort of inclusions. These can be either mineral trace, fractures. Usually small inclusions are too small to affect the diamond clarity.

Bigger inclusions on the other hand can prevent the light to freely pass through the diamond structure. These large flaws have a huge affect on diamond clarity and also price.

If the flaw is closer to the diamond center, it can have more negative consequence as if the flaw is closer to the edge of a diamond structure.

Clarity is a good area where you can save some of your money. The price for the highest clarity grade is much bigger than for a much lower clarity.

The price difference can be huge. Clarity is one of the four diamond Characteristics that you should know about before buying a diamond.

A diamond clarity scale is used to grade each diamond with the amount of flaws. Lower the amount of flaws (inclusions and blemishes) higher clarity grade and higher cost.

The diamond clarity grading scale measures diamonds for imperfections that are based on location, color, quantity and amount when they are observed under the 10 X magnification.

Another factor that you should know is that each diamond in the worlds has its own unique inclusions. There are not 2 diamonds in the world that has the same inclusion pattern in its structure. So observing your diamond inclusions can be a great protection for getting back the same ring when you for example send the ring to diamond cleaner or when you want to change the setting.

Inclusions are like human fingerprints. They are unique and helps determining exactly which diamond is yours.

The most widely used diamond clarity scale is from a GIA diamond laboratory.

It goes from the F to I grading scale.

This clarity GIA scale goes from FL to I3

The GIA clarity scale goes from:

FL-Flawless – These diamonds have no flaws under a 10X magnification.

IF-Internally Flawless – These diamonds have no internal inclusions, they only have few minor blemishes.

VVS1 , VVS2 - Very Very Slightly Imperfect - These diamonds have only few small inclusions, which are almost impossible to be seen under a loupe of 10X magnification.

VS1, VS2 - Very Slightly Imperfect – These diamonds have tiny internal flaws called inclusions and are still difficult to spot under 10X magnification.

SI1,SI2-Slightly Imperfect – Diamonds with this grade have fairly large internal flawas and can be actually see with naked eye.

I1, I2, and I3-Imperfect – These is the lowest grade of diamond clarity scale. These stones have large inclusions who can easily be see with naked eyes.

Diamond inclusions are for example

Pinpoints, dark spots, cleavage, grain lines, twin lines, laser treatment, girdle fringes……

Diamond blemishes are for example

Nick, girdle roughness, scratch, polishing lanes, rough culets.

EGL (European Gemological Laboratory) has for example one grade extra called SI3 (Small Inclusions 3). GIA (Gemological Institute of America) does not use this final grade in its diamond clarity scale.