Diamond Clarity Guide - Chart and Scale
A diamond’s clarity is unique and acts as a fingerprint. Natural Diamonds or lab-created diamonds will often have unique
birthmarks, either internal (inclusions) or external (blemishes).
Diamonds are carbon exposed to tremendous heat and pressure deep in the earth. This process can result in a variety of internal characteristics called ‘inclusions’ and external features called ‘blemishes.’ Evaluating diamond clarity will involve analyzing the number, size, relief, nature, and position of these characteristics, as well as how these affect the overall appearance of the stone. While no diamond is perfectly pure, the closer it comes, the higher its value. Inclusions are enclosed in a diamond or extend into it f rom the surface. Blemishes confine to the surface of a polished diamond. Clarity
measures the incidence of natural inclusions or imperfections found in a diamond. The diamond that has next to no visible inclusions are flawless, which makes it very rare and higher in value. Most inclusions are not visible to the naked eye, so diamonds are examined under a 10x magnifying loupe to determine their clarity. A diamond with several or large inclusions has less brilliance than a diamond containing fewer or smaller inclusions. The flaws in a diamond interfere with the path of light as it travels into, and then out of, the stone.
CLARITY CHARACTERISTICS:
Clarity characteristics are usually divided into two categories:- INCLUSIONS: Imperfections that occur naturally inside the diamond itself. Inclusions are totally enclosed in a diamond or extend into it f rom the surface. These were formed miles below the surface, when the diamond was formed under intense heat and pressure. Inclusions may take shape in the form of tiny white points, dark dots or feathery cracks. The position of the inclusion will impact the value of your diamond. An inclusion situated directly below the diamond’s table is more visible. It will have a larger impact on the diamond’s clarity than an inclusion of the same size situated off the side of the diamond. On a positive note - Inclusions will render the diamond with unique characteristics. They are often helpful in identifying a gem. They also provide scientists and gemologists with valuable information about how a diamond was formed.
- BLEMISHES: Imperfections that occur on the surface of the diamond and occur during the cutting and polishing process.Blemishes are confined to the surface of a polished diamond.
YADAV JEWELRY CARRY GIA CERTIFIED DIAMONDS. GIA INTERNATIONAL DIAMOND GRADING SYSTEMTM
Yadav Jewelry carry GIA certified diamonds. GIA International Diamond Grading SystemTM assigns the diamonds clarity grade that ranges f rom flawless (FL) to diamonds with obvious inclusions (I3). The GIA Clarity Scale has 11 measuring grade systems. Most of the diamonds are graded under the categories VS (very slightly included) or SI (slightly included). While analyzing for a clarity grade, the GIA system will determine the size, nature, position, color or relief, and quantity of clarity characteristics visible under 10× magnification.- FLAWLESS (FL) Skilled Grader does not detect any inclusions or blemishes under 10× magnification
- INTERNALLY FLAWLESS (IF) no inclusions visible under 10x, but can have minor flaws (marks and features confined to the surface only).
- VERY, VERY SLIGHTLY INCLUDED (VVS1 AND VVS2) Inclusions are ever so slight, they are challenging for a skilled grader to see under 10× magnification
- VERY SLIGHTLY INCLUDED (VS1 AND VS2) Very Slightly Included diamonds with a clarity grade of 3 or 4 (VS1 or VS2) have minor inclusions.
- SLIGHTLY INCLUDED (SI1 AND SI2) Inclusions are noticeable to a skilled grader under 10x magnification
- INCLUDED (I1, I2 , AND I3) Inclusions are visible under 10× magnification and may affect transparency and brilliance
