We recently brought back a series that published in the early days of the “Let Them Eat Cake” blog that focused on the four c’s of picking a diamond. The four c’s include cut, color, clarity and carat – all of which should be considered and understood before saying, “I do,” to that diamond engagement ring. First, we highlighted the cut and color of a diamond. Today, we’re talking clarity and carat.
CLARITY
The clarity of a diamond measures its flaws, or imperfections, otherwise known as inclusions. A stone’s degree of flawlessness directly affects its exact value. It is natural for diamonds to form with slight inclusions, which includes white spots, dark flecks or feathery-looking “cracks.” The fewer inclusions the diamond has, the more it’s worth and the more reflective it is of light (read, the more it sparkles and shines). Size, type, number and placement of the inclusions determine the clarity rankings for diamonds. The more inclusions it has, the cloudier or more white it looks, and the less it reflects light. The GIA has provided the world with a clarity scale to measure diamonds, among other gemstones.
Graph provided by the GIA website.
From great clarity to very poor:
FL = flawless – free from all inclusions or blemishes at 10x magnification
IF = internally flawless – no inclusions visible at 10x, insignificant surface blemishes
VVS1 = minor inclusions (very, very slightly included) – difficult to see face up at 10x
VVS2 = minor inclusions (very, very slightly included) — difficult to see face up at 10x
VS1 = minor inclusions (very slightly included) — difficult to see face up at 10x
VS2 = minor inclusions (very slightly included) — difficult to see face up at 10x
SI1 & SI2 = notable inclusions (slightly included) – easy to see at 10x
I1, I2, & I3 = obvious inclusions ( imperfect-eye-visible inclusions) – easily visible to unaided eye
Graph provided by the GIA website.
CARAT
The carat weight is the numerical indicator of the weight of the diamond. Jewelers commonly describe carats in 1Ž4 increments and the price increases rapidly with the weight or carat of the diamond. For those with more mathematical ways of thinking, 1 carat is equal to about .20 grams.
If cut, color and clarity are all equal, a diamonds value will increase as the carat weight increases. Bigger diamonds are more desirable and rare to find. The value of a diamond, however, is not decided by the size or weight alone. Cut, color, clarity and carat weight all go into deciding the value of a diamond.
GIA size chart used to determine a diamonds carat. Have the access to GIA right at your fingertips with the GIA 4 C’s app.
