Diamond Clarity

by Muhammad Afzal Web Designer, SEO Expert

The high temperature and pressure regime in which diamonds are formed makes it possible for blemishes and inclusions to form in what is supposed to be a clear and colorless stone.

Diamond clarity is used to measure the amount of impurities in a diamond. A diamond with little impurities is rated highly on the clarity scale and the value of the diamond on the market is higher. While diamond with more impurities have low market value and are rated low on the clarity scale.

Of all the diamonds on earth, 99% are known to contain flaws (blemishes and inclusions) leaving just 1% flawless diamonds. The large number of the different flaws found in diamonds contribute to this huge percentage gap. There are at least 12 different types of flaws that can be found in diamonds; crystals, pinpoints, clouds, needle, feathers, graining, twinning wisp, cavity, chip, polishing lines, scratch and bearding. One or more of these flaws can be found in a diamond. Generally speaking, the type of flaw that is found in a diamond can be used to determine the clarity grade of the diamond.

Inclusions in diamonds do not occur in the same way. Some inclusions are visible in diamonds while others need to be checked with microscope under the eyes of trained gemologists. To determine the grade of diamond clarity, gemologists consider 5 different factors: the size of the impurity, the location of the impurity, the number of the impurity, the nature and relief of the impurity.

Clarity Scale

The most commonly used and popularly accepted clarity scale was invented by the GIA. The highest grade on the scale is the “flawless” grade and it describes the one percent of diamonds that do not have any inclusions or blemishes in or on the surface of the diamond. While the second best grade, internally flawless, describes diamonds that do not have inclusions in them but have blemishes on their surface.

Other grades on the clarity scale are:

Very very slightly included (1^st and 2^nd degree; VVS1 & VVS2): The inclusions in them are very small and hard to spot even under magnification. The difference between VVS1 and VVS2 is the location of the inclusion.

Very slightly included (1^st and 2^nd degree; VS1 & VS2): The inclusions are small but numerous in the diamond. The different between VS1 and VS2 is the type, location and size of the inclusions.

Slightly included (1^st and 2^nd degree; S1 & S2): The inclusions are slightly bigger, might or might not be noticed by the naked eye.

Included (1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd degree): These flaws are more visible to the naked eye. They also affect the brilliance and durability of the diamond.