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A diamond's clarity refers to the presence
of identifying characteristics on and within the diamond.
While most of these clarity characteristics are inherent
qualities of the rough diamond and have been present since
the earliest stages of the diamond crystal's growth below
ground, a few clarity flaws are actually a result of the
harsh stress that a diamond undergoes during the cutting
process itself.
If you think about the incredible amount
of pressure it takes to create a diamond, it's no surprise
that many diamonds have clarity inclusions -- scratches,
blemishes, air bubbles or non-diamond mineral material --
on their surface or inside. Diamonds with no or few inclusions
and blemishes are more highly valued than those with less
clarity, not just because they are more pleasing to the
eye, but also because they are very rare.
Diamonds are graded for clarity under
10x loupe magnification. Clarity grades range from Internally
Flawless, diamonds which are completely free of blemishes
and inclusions even under 10x magnification, to Imperfect
3, diamonds which possess large, heavy blemishes and inclusions
that are visible to the naked eye.
FL: Completely
flawless
IF: Internally
flawless; only external flaws are present, which can be
removed by further polishing the stone
VVS1 - VVS2: Only
an expert can detect flaws with a 10X microscope.
By definition, if an expert can see a flaw from the top
of the diamond, it is a VVS2. Otherwise, if an expert
can only detect flaws when viewing the bottom of the stone,
then it is a VVS1
VS1 - VS2: You
can see flaws with a 10X microscope, but it takes a long
time (more than about 10 seconds)
SI1 - SI2: You
can see flaws with a 10X microscope
I1 - I3: You can
see flaws with the naked eye. Consider avoiding I2-I3
diamonds.
REMEMBER: For grades IF through SI,
a diamond's clarity grade has an impact on the diamond's
value, not on the unmagnified diamond's appearance.
While Flawless diamonds are the rarest,
a diamond does not have to be flawless to be stunning. Diamonds
with VVS and VS grades are excellent choices for both value
and appearance. More affordable (and still a great choice)
are those diamonds which gemologists call "eye-clean" -
diamonds with no inclusions visible to the naked eye. These
diamonds are SI1 and SI2 and unless the recipient carries
a 10X loupe (a strong jewelry magnifying glass), she won't
see the inclusions. Canada Diamonds recommends diamonds
with clarity grades of VS2 and higher to ensure a eye clean
diamond.
There are many different types of flaws.
The best way to become acquainted with them is to look at
lots of diamonds. The more common ones are as follows:
Pinpoint: A very
small white dot on the surface of the stone. By
far, the most common flaw
Carbons: A very
small black dot on the surface of the stone. Less
common than pinpoints
Feathers: Small
cracks within the stone, similar in look to broken glass.
Small internal feathers are harmless (other than lowering
the clarity rating of the diamond), but large feathers
can become a problem because the crack can grow as the
diamond ages
Clouds: Hazy
areas within the diamond, actually made up of many small
crystals that are impossible to see individually
Crystal Growth:
A small crystalline growth within the diamond. Looks
like a small diamond within the big diamond
Unfortunately, clarity is very difficult
to judge accurately by an inexperienced consumer, so your
best bet is to gain an education first by looking at lots
of diamonds before making a purchase. Any good jeweler
will spend the time you need to get comfortable judging
the clarity of your stone -- ask different jewelers to point
out the flaws in several stones until you can detect
pinpoints and other flaws by yourself.
Many people make clarity the least "important"
of the 4 Cs when purchasing their diamonds. The rationale
is obvious -- when your partner shows the ring to all her
friends, the likelihood that one of them will pull out a
10X microscope to examine the flaws on her diamond are very
slim. Given that, why spend a lot of money on a VVS1
diamond when an SI2 will look exactly the same to the naked
eye?
If you're purchasing an emerald
cut (or any other step cut), consider
purchasing a diamond with clarity greater than SI1.
Clarity flaws are much more readily visible in step cuts
than in brilliant cuts.
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