Clarity

In the most basic terms, clarity means clearness. Natural diamonds are rarely perfectly clear. There are external blemishes, internal inclusions, and a myriad of other imperfections. To gemologists, clarity defines the degree of imperfection or measures the size and number of impurities in a particular stone. A flawless diamond that contains no imperfections is so rare that few jewelers have ever seen one. However, many of the imperfections seen by gemologists are invisible to the naked eye, so clarity has the least impact of the Four C's on a diamond's beauty. Visible defects, on the other hand, have a great impact on value. As a rule of thumb, the greater the number and size of the impurities, the less is the stone's value.

How is Diamond Clarity Graded?

As with the grading scales discussed with the carat, cut and color, a diamond's clarity grading is not completely objective. However, reputable labs utilize their expertise along with the GIA grading scale to provide the most replicable evaluation possible. Diamonds are evaluated under industry standard 10x power magnification.

Five basic characteristics are taken into consideration when grading Diamond Clarity: the size of the inclusion; the number of inclusions; the location of the inclusions; the possible effect of the inclusion on the diamond's durability over time; and finally, the visibility of the inclusion.

The GIA Clarity Scale consists of 11 levels for grading diamonds. They are defined as follows:

• F1 (Flawless) - A magnificent specimen totally free of blemishes or "inclusions" under 10x magnification
• IF (Internally Flawless) - Without internal characteristics at 10x magnification, but with minor surface blemishes that do not penetrate the stone
• VVS1 & VVS2 (Very Very Slightly Included) - Having minute inclusions that are very difficult to see under 10x magnification
• VS1 & VS2 (Very Slightly Included) - Having minor inclusions ranging from difficult to see, to somewhat easy to see under magnification and on a white background
• SI1 & SI2 (Slightly Included) - Inclusions are easily recognized under 10x magnification when viewed on a white background and may be visible by the naked eye from the bottom (pavilion) of the stone
• I1, I2, & I3 (Included) - Obvious inclusions that may be visible to the eye when the stone is face-up

Choosing A Diamond Ring with Clarity in Mind

A valuable tool to use when selecting a diamond is the clarity grading report, which plots inclusions. Internal inclusions are marked in red, while external blemishes are indicated by the color green. Only primary imperfections are plotted with less significant ones being noted in comments. Markers or comments indicating the presence of "clouds" are not good as this may cause a dullness in the diamond's appearance. Clouds that lower clarity values are only found in SI1 or lower graded stones. One very important thing to read in the grading report is the "Nature" characteristic. It indicates the inclusion’s effect on the durability of a diamond. Large feathering in the stone can cause cracking, depending on the size and position. While it’s very rare, it is possible and worth noting if you’re going to make a big diamond ring purchase.

Keep in mind that only one out of a hundred people are able to detect VS2 inclusions. Also, note that after carat weight, clarity has the most effect on a diamond's price. And a diamond's cut can impact a stone's brilliance more so than its level of purity. Taking these factors into consideration is very important when selecting the diamond that you’ll invest in for your future.

Remember, the less flawed a diamond is, the rarer it is — and the more expensive it is. The fact that many of these flaws can only be seen under magnification is an important one to consider, especially when choosing from diamonds with an SI or higher rating. It's critical to select a diamond that doesn't have visible imperfections. The extent of the invisible imperfections, on the other hand, is where the line between cost and quality considerations may be drawn.