Diamond Clarit

You should care about the diamond's clarity while making your purchase, but what exactly should you be looking for?
Read this guide to find out!
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What Is Diamond Clarity?

The degree to which a diamond exhibits flaws and imperfections, as well as its purity and rarity, are all factors that go into determining its diamond clarity. These microscopic properties can be preserved in or on the diamond during its formation. Gemologists utilize 10x magnification and a qualitative grading method to assign a numerical value (clarity grade) to each diamond based on its internal and external properties.

The greater the clarity grade, the less blemishes and faults can be seen on a diamond's surface. Keep in mind that no diamond is completely pure while deciding on a diamond's optimum clarity. However, the closer to pure, the clearer it is. Inclusion-free diamonds are extremely rare and highly sought-after.

Despite the fact that a diamond's clarity has a substantial impact on its value, most flaws are not visible to the naked eye.

How Are Clarity Grades Determined

Diamond clarity is determined by examining the stone's appearance under a microscope and noting any visible inclusions or blemishes, as well as how they affect the stone's overall clarity. Using a 10x loupe, an expert gemologist can see the size, kind, and position of these clarity features in the stone and classify them accordingly.

After then, the traits are plotted on a ``diamond plot,`` which is unique to each diamond! Diamonds are graded on a scale from ``Included`` to ``Flawless`` by gemological laboratories like the GIA and IGI.

Diamond Clarity Ratings

The following are the different levels of clarity to take into account:

  • FL/IF: A perfect clarity rating means that if you see anything on the diamonds, it’s most likely dust. There is little doubt that the diamond’s grade would drop to VVS2 if that tiny particle were an inclusion.VVS1: The pinpoints can only be seen under a powerful microscope. Inclusions of the VVS1 size are not seen at this magnification. Even when magnified, a normal photograph can only focus on one degree of depth.
  • VVS2: There are a lot of VVS1-sized specks that sum up to a VVS2 clarity rating, so a gemological microscope is needed to discover these inclusions. With a jeweler’s loupe, it’s impossible to see the individual dots since they’re so small.
  • VS1: There is no need for a microscope to examine VS1 inclusions, unlike VVS2 clarity. However, it is still so small that it will never be seen by the naked eye.
  • VS2: Inclusions with VS2 clarity are almost always clean to the naked eye.
  • SI1: The clarity of a SI1 diamond is only slightly better than that of a VS2 diamond. It’s important to keep in mind that a diamond’s clarity grade can be determined by a variety of unique inclusion spots. Rarely does a single targeted inclusion determine a clarity rating. Smaller spots and swarms of little dots typically make up the clarity grade. In many cases, the diamond seems flawless to the human eye because each inclusion is so little.
  • SI2: Inclusions of SI2 clarity are readily seen in step cuts like the emerald and asscher. SI2 inclusions are usually noticeable to the human eye when combined with other bright forms. Having a dark center in an emerald cut SI2 diamond is the worst possible outcome. The SI2 clarity rating, like a SI1, is often made up of a large number of small inclusions.

Types Of Inclusion

Some tiny crystals may get trapped inside a diamond as it grows. Imperfections can occur in a crystal’s atomic structure as it grows. Diamond clarity is influenced by a diamond’s size, location, and the visibility of inclusions.

There are many different kinds of inclusions to consider when evaluating the clarity of a diamond. As an example and guide, let’s look at some of the most popular types:

  • Cloud- A cloud isn’t one single imperfection, but a cluster of very small pinpoints that might reduce the diamond’s brilliance. The term “cloudy diamond” refers to a diamond with a lot of large inclusions.
  • Graining- An uneven crystal growth causes this inclusion to produce graining that appears as white, colored, or reflective lines, making the diamond appear cloudy and foggy from internal.
  • Cavity- Depending on what minerals are found in the diamond’s body, the voids may appear colorless or colored. When the crystal inclusions in the cavity are colored, they become much more noticeable and are more likely to be seen with the naked eye.
  • Feather- This is a microscopic fracture within the diamond that, depending on the viewing angle, may appear translucent or catch the light and give the diamond a white appearance.

How Significant Is the Clarity of a Diamond?

Having fewer inclusions means a diamond will sparkle more brilliantly when illuminated , and this is due to the diamond’s clarity.

Other diamond properties, including form and size, also influence the diamond clarity. Step-cut diamonds, such as the emerald cut and the asscher cut, have a shallow pavilion and an open table that enhance the stone’s clarity. Greater carats, on the other hand, have larger facets, which make the characte

Diamond Clarity FAQs

What are the kinds of inclusions in diamonds?

External or internal diamond inclusions are possible in this stone. These include crystals, feathers, and clouds, which are all common types of inclusions.

Is there a scientific explanation for the formation of inclusions in diamonds?

Inclusions are formed while the diamond grows in the Earth’s crust and are a natural part of the diamond’s formation.

Diamond clarity is affected by what?

Natural microscopic properties that are trapped in or on the diamond might impact its clarity. The location, size, number, color, and type of inclusion are all taken into account while assessing a diamond’s clarity.