Get to Know Your Diamond Clarity Scale
Clarity refers to the internal state of a diamond as seen under 10x magnifications. The cleaner or purer the diamond is on the inside, the greater the value of the stone. Most diamonds have slight imperfections, or flaws, within them. Inclusions or flaws are caused as a result of mineral deposits, irregular crystals, breaks, or cracks.
A clarity scale will determine the number and type of inclusions. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and the American Gem Society (AGS) both have created the following scale to grade the clarity of diamonds.
What Clarity is Right for You?
Generally, it is better to select an “eye-clean” diamond with no inclusions or blemishes visible to the naked eye. These diamonds usually will be certified as VVS1, VVS2, VS1 or VS2. Of course, these diamonds will generally be more expensive, so if budget is a significant consideration, diamonds with a clarity of SI1 or SI2 may be a better choice. These can be clean stones as well, but more within your budget.
While clarity is very important to consider when searching for a diamond, it is important to analyze all 4C’s – Carat, Clarity, Color, and Cut. Some people care more about size than cut, and some about clarity than colour. Most importantly, be as knowledgeable as possible before purchasing your special diamond! Our opinion is that the cut of the stone is the most important.
Grading Non-Certified Diamonds
Our highly qualified gemologist grades non-certified stones; however, they will also be what we call a split grade since they will not be GIA or AGS grading reports. Why this is: if you have an SI diamond, which means it can be SI1 to SI2 a range, the same diamond will have an H to I colour range. Only a certified diamond can be called SI1 H colour, based on the lab company (GIA/AGS) that certified the stones. Our non-certified diamonds will always be SI1/SI2 H-I or better, and our VS will be VS1/VS2 G-H colour or better. We have I1/I2 diamonds as well, we will always use eye clean stones when these are requested.
What does an inclusion in a diamond look like?
Inclusions are found internally and can appear in different forms– from dark dots, tiny white points, and feathery cracks to light or dark spots. The following describes several various inclusions found in diamonds:
Crystals – 24 different minerals have been identified as crystal inclusions in diamonds. Tiny crystals that appear as specks, even under ten-point magnification, are called pinpoints. Usually, depending on the size, crystals lower the clarity grade of your diamond, but at times, they can turn the diamond into a collector’s item if the crystal is rare or attractive.
Feathers – These are small fissures in the diamond. Most feathers are difficult to see even by the untrained eye, even when viewed under 10x magnification. Feathers are one of the most common inclusions found in diamonds.
Clouds are usually created by a small cluster of tiny crystals that cannot be seen under 10-point magnification. When a diamond is graded with high clarity, clouds will be challenging to discern.
Grain Lines – Grain lines are caused by slight, irregular crystallization and may look like fine lines on the surface or in the diamond. At times, they are called twinning lines.
Cavities – Inclusions are when a surface-reaching crystal has come out during polishing.
Knots – Knots are diamond crystals that have become included and are left exposed on the surface of the diamond by polishing.
Laser Drill Holes – Laser drill holes are tiny holes drilled into the diamond with a laser beam. Laser drilling improves the appearance of the diamond by changing a black crystal into a white inclusion.
Naturals – Naturals are part of the original stone surface left unpolished. Naturals usually have no effect on the clarity grade if they remain in the girdle.
The fewer the inclusions or imperfections – the more valuable the stone. A diamond’s measure of clarity is determined by the size, number, type, and placement of the imperfections.
Location of the Imperfection
It is crucial to consider where the flaw is positioned to the diamond’s cut. Some flaws can be more noticeable when they are situated in a more central stone area. Other inclusions have the potential to be more hidden. The location and type of inclusion have a major impact on the price of the diamond. A stone that has very few, hard-to-see dots located on or near the edge, which have the possibility of being covered, will have a higher clarity grade than a stone that has an imperfection directly under the most significant facet of the stone.
When a diamond is certified, the stone’s certificate will include a graph highlighting its flaws and inclusions. Most lab certificates have plots of inclusions (marked in red for internal and green for external features); they are helpful for identification. Often, only the main “grade makers” are plotted, and additional inclusions are listed in the comments area of the report.
