Diamond Clarity

An intricate process normally follows the rating of diamonds and could be best understood by first weighing the importance of clarity over purity to study the deficiencies in diamonds. In this respect clarity offers a much wider scope for studying such deficiencies because of the more varied nature of the study. The deficiencies in diamonds could be found either inside the stone or on the surface in which case they are called ‘blemishes’ while it is ‘inclusions’ when they are inside the stone.

The Gemological Institute of America has classified the clarity in polished diamonds beginning with the neutral colored stone which it rates as the best. But even this particular category of stone can have its deficiencies, however minor and as a result there are three distinct sub-categories among the best of the diamonds. While the very best in this category has no deficiency whatsoever the following two have very minor deficiencies that are barely visible even with maximum enlargement.

The group of diamonds classified next in order of clarity has deficiency levels that range from barely visible under maximum enlargement to barely visible with minimum enlargement. This category of stones is the closest in terms of color to the neutral color found in the very best diamonds but the sparkling whiteness is conspicuous by its absence. In fact as it goes down the order the whiteness gives way to a light yellow tinge. Similarly the other stones that follow down the order of clarity have varied levels of deficiencies and could also be found in different colors.

The different types of internal deficiencies in a diamond range from very minute white dots to crystal-like points that can be either white or dark. These deficiencies can also be fissures and very thin line fractures or they may appear like the tail of shooting stars. On the other hand the different types of external deficiencies can range from surface roughness to tiny holes or may even reveal poor finishing in the form of a chip. It has been found that the prices of diamonds are influenced to a large extent by their clarity and the price differential between the different qualities could be as high as thirty percent.