| Clarity refers to an objects transparency or | | | | Included(I1, I2, and I3): This diamond is often |
| purity. This is a very important characteristic for | | | | referred to as imperfect. It may contain some |
| diamonds. To determine a diamond's clarity the | | | | inclusions that are fairly apparent to an |
| placement, appearance, and number of inclusions, | | | | experienced diamontologist that may be visible |
| blemishes, or flaws are noted. The number of | | | | without any magnification. |
| inclusions, blemishes, or flaws can affect the | | | | From the above definitions it is easy to tell that |
| opacity of the diamond, its sparkle, and its overall | | | | you do not want your diamond to have too |
| brilliance. | | | | many inclusions, but what exactly is an inclusion? |
| The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) is a | | | | An inclusion is an internal characteristic that, due |
| not for profit institution dedicated to research and | | | | to the immense pressure it takes to create a |
| education in the field of gemology. The GIA is | | | | diamond, is often formed during the formation |
| responsible for creating a gem scale to rate | | | | process or caused by an irregularity in the crystal |
| diamonds clarity. | | | | structure. A blemish on the other hand is an |
| The scale is as follows: | | | | external characteristic that can be caused during |
| Flawless(FL): This refers to a diamond that does | | | | the formation of the diamond, during the cutting |
| not have any blemishes or inclusions at all when | | | | process, or by everyday wear. |
| viewed under a 10x magnification by an | | | | There are many different types of inclusions. One |
| experienced diamontologist. | | | | common type of inclusion are feathers. Feathers |
| Internally Flawless(IF): This refers to a diamond | | | | look quite literally like feathers and in some cases |
| that does not have any inclusions, but may have | | | | extend to the diamonds surface. The diamonds |
| some minor blemishes when observed by a | | | | stability can be affected if the feathers extend to |
| certified diamontologist under a 10x magnification. | | | | the surface of the diamond. Some other types of |
| Very Very Slightly Included(VVS1 and VVS2): | | | | inclusions are bearding, cleavage, crystals, and |
| This refers to a diamond that has very tiny | | | | pinpoints. |
| inclusions. These inclusions will be hard, even for an | | | | One common type of blemish is naturals. Naturals |
| experienced diamontologist, to see when using a | | | | refer to a part of the diamond that was not |
| 10x magnification. | | | | polished during the original cutting/polishing phase. |
| Very Slightly Included(VS1 and VS2): This refers | | | | Hence they are still natural. Some other examples |
| to a diamond that has very minute inclusions such | | | | of blemishes are fracture, nicks, and scratches. |
| as small clouds, feathers, or crystals when | | | | These inclusions and blemishes are not always a |
| observed under a 10x magnification. | | | | bad thing. They are used as a way to identify |
| Slightly Included(SL1 and SL2): This refers to a | | | | diamonds. A truly flawless diamond is very hard |
| diamond that has noticeable inclusions such as | | | | to find and very expensive as well. It is always a |
| clouds, feathers, or crystals, that are evident to | | | | good idea to have your jeweler plot your |
| an experienced diamontologist under a 10x | | | | diamonds characteristics so that you can easily |
| magnification. | | | | identify it in the future. |