DiamondAvenue.com - Clarity
Diamond Clarity
Understanding Clarity - One of the Four Cs of Diamond Quality
What Is Diamond Clarity?
Clarity describes the relative absence of internal and external characteristics in a diamond. Internal characteristics are generally known as inclusions, while characteristics found on the surface of the diamond are generally called blemishes.
Natural diamonds form deep within the Earth under tremendous heat and pressure. During this process, tiny crystals, structural features and other natural characteristics can become trapped within the growing diamond.
As a result, most natural diamonds contain at least some clarity characteristics. These features can serve almost like a diamond's individual fingerprint because the pattern, size and location of inclusions can vary from one stone to another.
A diamond with fewer or less noticeable inclusions is generally rarer than an otherwise comparable diamond with more obvious clarity characteristics. Because rarity is an important component of diamond value, clarity can have a significant influence on price.
Diamond Inclusions
Inclusions are characteristics located partly or completely inside a diamond.
Common diamond inclusions can include:
- Crystals or mineral inclusions
- Pinpoints
- Clouds
- Needles
- Feathers
- Knots
- Twinning wisps
- Internal graining
Some inclusions are extremely small and can only be detected under magnification. Others may be visible without magnification, depending upon their size, position, contrast and the diamond's overall clarity grade.
Diamond Blemishes
Blemishes are clarity characteristics found on the surface of a diamond.
Examples of diamond blemishes can include:
- Scratches
- Abrasions
- Nicks
- Extra facets
- Polish lines
- Surface graining
- Chips
Blemishes may occur naturally or may result from cutting, polishing, setting or wear. Very minor surface characteristics may have little visible effect, while more significant blemishes can influence a diamond's clarity grade, appearance or durability.
How Diamond Clarity Is Graded
Diamond clarity is evaluated by trained graders using standardized examination procedures. The Gemological Institute of America, commonly known as the GIA, determines clarity grades by examining diamonds under 10x magnification.
A clarity grade is not determined simply by counting the number of inclusions within a diamond. Several characteristics are considered together when determining the final grade.
Size
Larger inclusions generally have a greater effect on clarity than extremely small characteristics.
Number
The number of visible inclusions or blemishes is considered, although one significant inclusion may affect the clarity grade more than several tiny inclusions.
Position
An inclusion located beneath the center of the table may be more noticeable than a similar inclusion positioned near the outer edge of the diamond.
Relief
Relief refers to how strongly a clarity characteristic contrasts with the surrounding diamond. A dark inclusion can be more noticeable than a transparent inclusion of similar size.
Nature
The type of inclusion or blemish is also considered. Different clarity characteristics can affect appearance or durability in different ways.
The GIA Diamond Clarity Scale
The GIA diamond clarity scale contains 11 individual clarity grades, ranging from Flawless to Included.
FL - Flawless
No inclusions and no blemishes are visible to a skilled grader using 10x magnification.
Flawless diamonds are exceptionally rare.
IF - Internally Flawless
No inclusions are visible to a skilled grader using 10x magnification. Only surface blemishes are visible.
VVS1 and VVS2
Very, Very Slightly Included.
These diamonds contain minute inclusions that are difficult for even a skilled grader to see under 10x magnification.
VVS1 represents the higher grade within the VVS category, followed by VVS2.
VS1 and VS2
Very Slightly Included.
VS diamonds contain minor inclusions that range from difficult to somewhat easy for a trained grader to locate at 10x magnification.
Many VS diamonds appear completely clean to the unaided eye.
SI1 and SI2
Slightly Included.
Inclusions are noticeable to a skilled grader at 10x magnification.
Depending upon the particular diamond, some SI diamonds may appear eye-clean while others may contain characteristics visible without magnification.
I1, I2 and I3
Included.
Inclusions are obvious under 10x magnification and may also be visible to the unaided eye.
In the lower clarity grades, inclusions can sometimes affect transparency, brilliance and, depending upon their nature and location, durability.
What Does "Eye-Clean" Mean?
The term eye-clean is commonly used in the diamond trade to describe a diamond whose inclusions cannot readily be seen with the unaided eye under normal viewing conditions.
Eye-clean is not an official GIA clarity grade. Two diamonds with the same laboratory clarity grade can look different to the unaided eye because inclusions may vary in size, position, color and contrast.
For many buyers, an eye-clean VS or SI diamond can provide an attractive balance between visual appearance and cost because the clarity characteristics may be difficult or impossible to see during normal wear.
Why Inclusion Location Matters
The position of an inclusion can be just as important as its size.
A dark inclusion located beneath the center of the table may be easier to see because the table provides a direct view into the diamond.
Inclusions near the girdle or beneath crown facets can sometimes be less noticeable and, in certain jewelry settings, may be partially concealed by a prong.
Clarity and Diamond Shape
Diamond shape and faceting pattern can influence how easily inclusions are seen.
Brilliant-cut shapes such as round diamonds contain many small facets and strong patterns of reflected light that can sometimes make small inclusions less noticeable.
Step-cut diamonds, including emerald and Asscher cuts, have broad open facets that can make internal characteristics easier to see. Buyers choosing these shapes may therefore place greater emphasis on clarity.
How Clarity Affects Diamond Value
All other characteristics being equal, diamonds with higher clarity grades are generally rarer and therefore tend to command higher prices.
However, clarity is only one part of diamond quality. Cut, color, carat weight and clarity should be considered together when comparing diamonds.
A very high clarity grade does not automatically mean that a diamond will appear more brilliant. The quality of the cut has a major influence on how effectively a diamond returns light and produces brightness, fire and scintillation.
For this reason, many buyers prefer to choose a diamond that appears clean to the unaided eye and devote more of their budget to cut quality, size or another characteristic that produces a more visible difference.
Can Inclusions Affect Durability?
Most small inclusions do not create a durability problem. However, certain large feathers, cavities, chips or other characteristics located near vulnerable parts of a diamond may deserve closer examination.
A professional jeweler or gemologist can evaluate whether a particular clarity characteristic is primarily cosmetic or whether it may have implications for setting or everyday wear.
Diamond Clarity Buying Tips
- Examine the diamond itself rather than relying solely on the clarity grade.
- Determine whether any inclusions are visible without magnification.
- Pay particular attention to dark inclusions located near the center of the diamond.
- Consider the diamond's shape and faceting pattern when selecting a clarity grade.
- Review the clarity plot and comments on an independent laboratory grading report when available.
- For many buyers, an attractive eye-clean VS or SI diamond can provide excellent visual value.
- Consider clarity together with cut, color and carat weight rather than treating any single characteristic in isolation.