'Clarity' refers to the clearness or purity of a diamond. The higher the clarity, the more pure it is, and the more it costs. The degree of clarity (grade) is determined at 10X magnification by a skilled diamond grader. Grading is based upon the number, size, nature, and position of the inclusions and blemishes. Diamond grading is usually verified at 30-40x magnification.
According to the The Gemological Institute of America (GIA), 'blemishes' are "characteristics confined to or primarily affecting the surface." These can be in the form of scratches, small nicks, chips, abraded facet edges, and portions of the rough crystals surface left on the finished diamond (naturals).
According to the GIA, 'inclusions' are defined as "characteristics which are entirely inside a stone or extend into it from the surface." These internal clarity characteristics, refer to natural impurities or markings such as other mineral crystals, or small diamond particles that are present within the host diamond.
Most of the diamond industry relies on the clarity grading scale developed by the GIA. The grading scale is as follows:
FLAWLESS (FL): Flawless diamonds show no blemishes or inclusions when examined by a skilled grader under 10x magnification. The following do not disqualify a stone from the flawless category:
INTERNALLY FLAWLESS (IF): Internally flawless diamonds show no inclusions and only blemishes that do not penetrate the diamond under 10x magnification. Normally, what separates IF from FL stones are characteristics that can be removed by minor repolishing (light surface graining is an exception). Surface grain lines are permitted provided they are not too thick or numerous as to detract from the beauty of the diamond.
VERY, VERY SLIGHTLY INCLUDED (VVS1 &VVS2): VVS diamonds contain minute inclusions that are difficult for even a skilled grader to detect at 10x. In VVS1, the inclusions are extremely difficult to see, visible only from the pavilion, or small and shallow enough to be removed by minor polishing. In VVS2 stones, they are very difficult to see.
VERY SLIGHTLY INCLUDED (VS1 &VS2): VS stones contain minor inclusions ranging from difficult (VS1) to somewhat easy (VS2) for a trained eye to see under 10x. Small included crystals, small feathers, an distinct clouds are typical. These inclusions are rarely visible to the unaided eye.
SLIGHTLY INCLUDED (SI1, SI2, & SI3): SI stones contain noticeable inclusions which are easy (SI1) or very easy (SI2) to see under 10x. In some SI2 and SI3 stones, inclusions can be seen with the unaided eye.
Note: SI3 is not a grade recognized by the G.I.A. The SI3 grade is part of the European Gemological Laboratories (E.G.L.) grading system and is accepted and used by most other gemological laboratories and the diamond industry.
IMPERFECT (I1, I2, & I3): I grade stones contain inclusions which are obvious to the trained grader under 10x magnification. They can often be easily seen face-up with the unaided eye. The inclusions are so numerous that they seriously effect the diamonds potential durability, the transparency, and brilliance.
Diamond Color | Diamond Weight
S D Diamond Lists: ROUND | PRINCESS | MARQUISE
PEAR SHAPE | OVAL | EMERALD | RADIANT | HOME (Ordering)
Whether your shopping for one diamond or several diamonds, S D Diamond Company is here to serve you
http://www.sddiamond.com