Even the finest of natural diamonds has it’s own imperfections. As a diamond is conceived under heat and pressure within the earth it forms a number of “birthmarks”. Flaws found on the inside are called inclusions and the ones discovered on the surface are referred to as blemishes. When we speak about the “clarity” of a diamond we are describing the level and character of these flaws – the fewer flaws, the greater the clarity, grade, and value.
The level of clarity is determined by evaluating the number, size, position, and characteristics of the inclusions and blemishes. The closer to clear perfection a diamond comes, the better the overall appearance and the higher the value. Most flaws are not visible to the naked eye and rarely affect the structural integrity of the stone. But, larger clouds will limit a diamond’s ability to transmit and scatter light, and cracks on or close to the surface may reduce resistance to fracturing.
As a cutter shapes a diamond they will try to minimise the visibility of inclusions so they are harder to see. But minor inclusions and blemishes can also be seen as useful “fingerprints” – acting as unique identifying markers and serve as “proof of origin” by helping to distinguish between natural and synthetic diamonds.
What grade is it?
When seeking to understand the clarity of a diamond, first look to the GIA Diamond Clarity Scale. There are six categories with five subcategories, for a total of 11 grades. Most inclusions and blemishes are invisible to the naked eye or to be seen by anyone other than a trained diamond grader. But while a VSI1 and an SI2 may appear to be the same, there is a significant difference in their quality. Clarity is then determined by the size, shape, and position of the inclusions.
Getting an accurate, expert assessment of diamond clarity is important. If you’re looking for a dimond with few imperfections, choose a VVS2 or higher stone. But know, only 10% of diamonds sold fall into this category so you will be paying a premium price. The most popular grade is the VSI1-VSI2 diamond, appearing flawless to the untrained eye and proving to be the fraction of the price of a flawless gem. So, it’s probably no surprise that half of all purchases are within this category.
The scale
| Grade | What to expect |
| Flawless (FL) | When under 10x magnification, the expert grader is unable to observe any inclusions or blemishes. |
| Internally flawless (IF) | Despite having some minor blemishes, a diamond of this grade is internally flawless. |
| Very, very slightly included (VVSI1 and VVSI2) | The inclusions are minute and difficult for professional graders to see under magnification. |
| Very slightly included (VSI1 and VSI2) | The inclusions are small, such as needles, crystals, clouds and feathers, and require effort to see under 10x magnification. |
| Slightly included (SI1 and SI2) | These diamonds have inclusions, such as clouds, crystals, knots, feathers, and cavities, that are easily detectable under magnification. |
| Included (I1, I2 and I3) | Inclusions, such as large feathers and crystals, are obvious under magnification and may have an affect on brilliance and transparency. |
Mapping a diamond’s interior and exterior
The subtleties of a diamond’s clarity cannot be captured in an image, subsequently a plot is used to the map the flaws found internally and externally, and to provide a graphic representation of the clarity grade. After a skilled grader has assessed the diamond under 10x magnification, the type and position of each inclusion or blemish is shown on the diamond plot using a different symbol. Green is generally used for blemishes and red is used for inclusions, while black indicates extra facets.
The grade itself will reflect the severity and visibility of the mapped flaws, while the certificate typically includes comments on additional clarity characteristics. So, although a plot may only show a few symbols, their degree may call for a lower overall grading, while a cluttered plot may not mean that the diamond is visually flawed.
Choosing a diamond according to clarity
When choosing the “perfect” diamond according to clarity, select an “eye-clean” diamond. This means that when looking through the crown, there are no visible imperfections to the unaided, untrained eye. Accordingly, VSI1, VSI2, and SI1 diamonds are the most popular grades, followed by SI2 diamonds, as the inclusions rarely impact the brilliance or appearance. Commonly, people looking to spend more on a higher cut or colour grade will select the latter.
Remember, the higher the diamond carat, the easier it is to detect flaws and the more important clarity becomes, so choose carefully and if in doubt, speak to one of the experts at Australian Diamond Brokers.
by Australian Diamond Brokers : July 6th 2017 Come visit our store or browse our website to find out more.