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| Find out more about Clarity Grades |
| Home » Education » Find out more about Clarity Grades |
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Clarity
The clarity of a diamond refers to how clear, or "clean" the diamond is. Diamonds have imperfections, which are present in its rough state. The clarity scale is a measure of the severity of those imperfections or "inclusions" as it is known in the trade. When diamonds were formed billions of years ago under intense heat and pressure, traces of other gemstones, minerals or gasses may have been trapped inside the diamond material as it cooled. These elements may turn up as tiny specks or crystals that may look like feathers or clouds inside each diamond. These are called inclusions and are often referred to as Nature's fingerprints or a diamond's birthmarks. They are part of what makes each diamond different and unique from the next. Extremes of clarity can produce a brilliant magnificent diamond, or a dead, dull, and lifeless stone. Clarity is also sometimes called purity. The fact that clarity is also sometimes called quality shows the importance of this factor.
In addition to internal inclusions, surface irregularities are referred to as blemishes. These two categories of imperfections-inclusions (internal) and blemishes (external) are the factors, which determine the level of clarity. The fewer the imperfections are, the more rare and more valuable the diamond is.
Grades of clarity, which are mostly those used by GIA, are:
FL-Flawless:
Shows no inclusions or blemishes of any sort under 10 x magnifications when observed by an experienced grader.
IF-Internally Flawless:
Have no inclusions when examined by an experienced grader, but will have some minor blemishes.
VVS1, VVS2 - Very Very Slightly Imperfect:
Contains minute inclusions that are difficult even for experienced graders to see under 10x magnification.
VS1, VS2 - Very Slightly Imperfect:
Contains minute inclusions such as crystals, clouds or feathers when observed with effort under 10x magnification.
SI1, SI2 - Slightly Imperfect:
Contains inclusions such as cavities, knots clouds, feathers and included crystals which are noticeable to an experienced grader.
I1, I2, and I3 - Imperfect:
Contains inclusions such as large feathers or large included crystals, which are obvious under a 10x magnification and may affect transparency and brilliance. |
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