This month, we are breaking down the 4 Cs of the diamond world: clarity, cut, color, and carat weight. Click here to read last week’s entry on color and here for the one on cut (or shape).
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.
