• Cut • Color • Clarity • Carat Weight

"Clarity"

Most diamonds contain "birthmarks" or "fingerprints" called inclusions. Inclusions have individual names that refer to the type of inclusion (feather, crystal, pinpoint, clouds, etc.) and the grading of these inclusions is called clarity. The groups of clarity grading are as follows:



Clarity grades are assigned by assessing these five factors:

Size: Size has one of the bigger impacts of the five factors. The larger the inclusion the easier the inclusion is to see. The size of an inclusion may also affect its durability. The larger the inclusion, the more dangerous it can be.

Number: The number of inclusion has more to do with the "between grading" than overall grading. A group of real small inclusions could be graded higher than one larger inclusion. Number helps to choose between close grades such as SI1 or SI2, VS1 or VS2.

Position: Position may determine how visible the inclusion is. A crystal that is in the middle of the table (the largest facet on top of the diamond) will be easier to see than a crystal that is in the crown due to the facets and reflection of light. Durability may be an issue as well. Generally, feathers in the middle of the stone will be secure with little chance of growing, however; a feather on the edge of the girdle may be extended by a sharp blow to the diamond.

Nature: Nature is based on two distinctions. One is whether or not the inclusion is internal or external and the second is whether an inclusion poses any risk to the diamond. Most diamonds have internal inclusions that make up the clarity grade and most inclusions are no threat to the diamonds durability.

Relief or Color: Color and relief affect a stone's clarity grade similar to that of size. The greater the contrast of the color of the inclusion from the diamond the more it will stand out. Most of diamonds inclusions are white or colorless but on occasion they will be black or brown. Sometimes a black spot in a diamond will be referred to as a "carbon spot", however; this "spot" is generally one of twenty-five possible minerals that could have been trapped within the diamond. Diamonds are 99.95% pure carbon and most of the time the mineral trapped within a diamond is a diamond. Seems like you could just buy her a gold wedding band and life would be that much easier, but hang in there because we are just about done. Eventually you will have to buy a diamond so hang in there.

Clarity is probably the most important to understand but the least important to consider when purchasing a diamond. Generally, clarity will have little to no affect on a diamonds beauty unless the inclusions are great in size and number. This means that you do not have to buy in the high ranks unless you are striving for a diamond with the utmost rarity.

Inclusions will also serve as "fingerprints" to identify your diamond. Once you know where your inclusions are, you will always be able to identify your diamond.

In our experiences with our customers we have found that it is very important to see a range of clarity grades under magnification. No one truly understands clarity until they have been able to view the inclusion under magnification.

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