Diamond Clarity

Clarity is a degree to which a stone is unaffected by flaws. Internal flaws are called inclusions and external ones are called blemishes. All the diamonds range from flawless to imperfect. The latter are considerably cheaper in price.

Clarity is one of the essential characteristics of a diamond. Clarity is a degree to which a stone is unaffected by external (blemishes) and internal (inclusions) marks. In comparison with blemishes, inclusions are considered to have a greater impact on the price, grade, appearance and durability of a diamond.

While grading a diamond the size and position of inclusions play major role. Cutters do their best to make possible inclusions less visible. To achieve a perfect cut, they try to make inclusions not notable through the table of the finished diamond. The best position for flaws is under the bezel facets or near girdle where they are less visible. Inclusions in the pavilion facets may cause multiply reflections when they are seen from the top. It has a negative impact on the clarity grade.

There exists a certain diagram that helps to classify the level of external and internal flaws with the help of a loupe or microscope. Many of the flaws can only be seen in 10x magnification. It’s not that easy to detect defects in FL, IF, VVS1, or VVS2 grades for an unskilled person even with the use microscope. All the enumerated grades reveal the same beauty of diamonds once the clarity is clean to the eye with VS clarity.

VS1 and VS2 graded stones are as well very high quality diamonds. The inclusions are hardly seen even when viewed with 10x magnification. The most frequent flaws here are small crystals, pinpoints clusters, feathers or distinct clouds.

Most SI1 and SI2 graded stones have distinct inclusions or blemishes seen with 10x magnification. However, they are considered to be good quality diamonds and reveal elegant beauty at a quite reasonable price. That is why they are so popular among common buyers. While SI1 clarity diamonds should be “eye-cleaned” (the flaws can’t be seen with the naked eye), SI2 clarity ones allow quite visible inclusions. The diamonds with easily notable flaws can only be used for earrings and pendants. Such stones shouldn`t be used for engagement rings.

I1, I2, I3 grades have a significant impact on both the beauty of a diamond and its durability. Sensible buyer should try to avoid purchasing such gems, except for I1 in earrings.

So, the buyer himself decides what level of imperfection is appropriate for him. The higher the number and the larger the size of flaws is the lower the price is. One should also mind that the level of imperfection can affect the beauty of a diamond.