Diamonds, renowned for their brilliance and fire, owe a significant part of their allure to their clarity. This essential characteristic defines a diamond’s purity and transparency, influencing its overall beauty and value.
Understanding Diamond Clarity
Diamond clarity refers to the absence of internal imperfections known as inclusions and external blemishes. These characteristics form during a diamond’s creation process, impacting its transparency and brilliance. While inclusions are found within the diamond, blemishes reside on its surface.
The visibility of inclusions and blemishes is crucial in determining a diamond’s clarity grade. Gemologists meticulously examine diamonds under magnification to assess the size, number, color, position, and nature of these imperfections.
The Diamond Clarity Grading Scale
To evaluate diamond clarity, gemological laboratories employ a standardized grading scale. This scale ranges from Flawless (FL), indicating no visible inclusions or blemishes, to Included(I), signifying noticeable imperfections.
Diamond Clarity Scale
A Flawless diamond will have no internal inclusions or external blemishes under 10x magnification. They are extremely rare and valuable.
Extremely rare, less than 1 in 5000 jewelry quality diamonds are rated FL.
Internally Flawless diamonds will have no internal inclusions, only the tiniest of blemishes under 10x magnification. Diamonds graded IF or better account for 3% of jewelry quality diamonds world-wide.
Very Very Slight Inclusion diamonds will have two degrees of grading labeled ‘VVS1’ or ‘VVS2’ depending on the degree of the inclusion. A diamond in this category will have the smallest inclusions visible under 10x magnification. The degree of the grading will be dependent on where the inclusions are within the diamond.
Very Slight Inclusion diamonds have two degrees of grading defined as ‘VS1’ or ‘VS2’. These diamonds will be visible under 10x magnification but are not visible to the naked eye. The degree of the grading is dependent on where the inclusions are within the stone.
Slight Inclusion diamonds will have two degrees of grading labeled ‘SI1’ or ‘SI2’. These diamonds will have inclusions visible to the naked eye and quite noticeable under 10x magnification.
Included diamonds have three degrees of rating defined as ‘I1’, ‘I2’ or ‘I3’. These diamonds will have inclusions clearly visible to the naked eye and under 10x magnification. Included diamonds may have characteristics that may affect a diamond’s durability.
Factors Affecting Clarity Perception
Several factors influence how inclusions affect a diamond’s appearance:
- Size: Larger inclusions are generally more noticeable than smaller ones.
- Color: Dark inclusions are more visible than light-colored ones.
- Position: Inclusions located near the diamond’s crown or center are more likely to be visible.
- Nature of the Inclusion: The type of inclusion (e.g., cloud, crystal, feather) can impact its visibility.
What is an Eye Clean Diamond?
An eye-clean diamond is a gem where inclusions (internal imperfections) are not visible to the naked human eye. This means that even when held close to the eye, no flaws can be detected. While all diamonds contain some level of inclusions, an eye-clean diamond maintains its brilliance and sparkle without being compromised by visible imperfections.
It’s important to note that being eye-clean doesn’t necessarily equate to a flawless diamond. Many eye-clean diamonds fall within the Slightly Included (SI) clarity range, where inclusions are present but imperceptible to the naked eye.
Balancing Clarity with the Other “C’s”
While clarity is a critical factor, it’s essential to consider it in conjunction with other diamond characteristics:
- Cut: The way a diamond is cut can influence the visibility of inclusions.
- Color: The diamond’s color can affect how inclusions appear.
- Carat weight: Larger diamonds may show inclusions more prominently.
Ultimately, the ideal clarity level depends on your personal preferences and budget. A balancebetween clarity and other factors can result in a stunning diamond within your desired pricerange.
Choose the Perfect Diamond Clarity at Mark’s
Selecting the right diamond clarity involves careful consideration and understanding your priorities. By working with a knowledgeable gemologist, you can find a diamond that combines exceptional clarity with other desirable attributes.
To truly appreciate the nuances of diamond clarity, we invite you to schedule a private appointment at Mark’s Diamonds. Our experts can guide you through our collection and help you select a diamond that exceeds your expectations.