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Learn to see the sparkle using this comprehensive Diamond Clarity Guide that will help you find the perfect stone that shines crystal clear for you.
Diamonds may have natural flaws that occur due to extreme heat and pressure they are exposed to during their formation. In fact, most diamonds have these imperfections when observed closely with magnifying tools. Clarity refers to the purity and perfection of a diamond, specifically how many flaws it has. These flaws can be internal, like tiny crystals trapped inside the diamond which are called inclusions, or external, like scratches or chips on the surface that are known as blemishes. But most of these imperfections are very minor and won't be visible to the naked eye.
The inclusions and blemishes influence a diamond's look, quality and value just like the other elements of the 4C’s. Heavily included diamonds will come at a much more modest price, however they may not promise the same durability and brightness as less included ones do. They are most likely to appear duller and be prone to chipping. Those who are not included or those who have slight inclusions are rarer, more durable and therefore, more valuable. That’s why clarity is one of the influential factors determining a diamond’s quality, value, price and appearance.
The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) assigns different clarity grades to diamonds depending generally on the number of inclusions and blemishes they have. Upon assessing their clarity under 10x magnification, the GIA scale ranks them under 6 different categories ranging from Flawless to Included.
Flawless (FL): No inclusions or blemishes are visible even under magnification.
Internally Flawless (IF): No inclusions but only hardly visible blemishes can be seen under magnification.
Very, Very Slightly Included (VVS1 and VVS2): Minor inclusions can hardly be seen under magnification.
Very Slightly Included (VS1 and VS2): Only minor inclusions can be seen; some are easy to notice under magnification while some are not. The diamond looks clean to the naked eye.
Slightly Included (SI1 and SI2): A trained grader can see the inclusions under magnification.
Included (I1, I2, and I3): Inclusions can obviously be seen under magnification, and they are somewhat visible to the naked eye too. As they are visibly dull and not brilliant enough, we do not offer I-graded diamonds at Eternate.
According to this grading system, most diamonds are considered VS (very slightly included) or SI (slightly included). While determining their clarity, some factors come into play.
Size: Larger inclusions in size will be more visible and disrupt the clarity of the diamond.
Position: We can observe these imperfections anywhere within the diamond. And whether they lie close up to the surface will have an impact on their visibility and naturally on the overall clarity level. The position of the inclusions and blemishes can also influence the stone’s durability and quality.
Relief: Relief refers to how distinctly these flaws can be observed. A more transparent inclusion results in low relief and vice versa. And the lower the relief is, the higher the clarity level is.
Although the highest grade is Flawless in the GIA’s clarity scale, these diamonds are extremely hard to find. But worry not! Grades SL1 and above will still give you the clear and bright look you desire. Their tiny imperfections are only visible under 10x magnification, which leaves your diamond still sparkling and flawless to the naked eye.
It’s best to combine all the 4C’s to find the perfect diamond that’s perfect not only according to the reports and grading, but also to your own preferences and budget. You can do it by setting your priorities straight. If clarity is most important to you, you can go for near colorless and smaller carat diamonds. If the size of it matters the most, then you can pick a larger diamond that is slightly included and has a lower grade in cut and color. By understanding your priorities and how the 4C’s work together, you can find the diamond that sparkles with both brilliance and value.
The highest ranked clarity is Flawless (FL) in GIA’s scale, which means the diamond has no inclusions or blemishes.
Some jewelers can use some tricks, like lasers or tiny fillings, to make the inclusions less noticeable. Diamonds with these treatments are called clarity enhanced. At Eternate, we do not offer clarity enhanced diamonds.
In fact, neither. Color and clarity, too, play a role in how well it sparkles, but the real determinant is the cut. The way a diamond is cut and shaped makes all those dazzling flashes happen.
Diamonds graded SI1 and above are referred to as eye clean as they have no inclusions and blemishes that are visible to the naked eye.
Clarity is definitely something to consider when deciding on your diamond. However, as long as the clarity is high enough that there are no visible flaws, it won't significantly affect the diamond's brilliance. In most cases, prioritizing a good cut and color will give you a more dazzling diamond for your budget.