| Clarity is a term used to describe the | | | | rare and expensive. |
| absence or presence of flaws inside or | | | | If you read the detailed explanations |
| on the surface of a diamond or other | | | | for each clarity category, you'll find |
| gemstone. A perfect stone with perfect | | | | that most flaws cannot be seen without |
| clarity--clearness--is rare, and most | | | | magnification, even by an experienced |
| flaws that do exist in jewelry grade | | | | jeweler. Most are tiny imperfections |
| diamonds cannot be seen without looking | | | | that do not affect a diamond's |
| at stones through a jeweler's magnifying | | | | brilliance. It often isn't until you |
| loupe. Use these resources to start | | | | reach the bottom level of "I" categories |
| exploring diamond clarity. Understanding | | | | that imperfections begin to detract from |
| what clarity is all about will help you | | | | the beauty of the diamond. |
| choose the best stone for you. | | | | Location of Flaws that Affect Diamond |
| Clarity is a term used to describe the | | | | Clarity |
| absence or presence of flaws inside or | | | | It's important to consider where the |
| on the surface of a diamond or other | | | | flaw is located in relation to the |
| gemstone. A perfect stone with perfect | | | | diamond's cut. Some flaws are more |
| clarity--clearness--is rare, and most | | | | noticeable when positioned in specific |
| flaws that do exist in jewelry grade | | | | areas of the stone. Others may be more |
| diamonds cannot be seen without looking | | | | hidden. Ask your jeweler for more advice |
| at stones through a jeweler's magnifying | | | | on the positioning of flaws. |
| loupe. | | | | In her book "Diamonds, The Antoinette |
| Terms Used to Describe Diamond Clarity | | | | Matlins Buying Guide," the author |
| Diamond Inclusions | | | | encourages us to get to know the |
| Imperfections, or flaws, inside a | | | | imperfections within our diamonds, |
| diamond. | | | | pointing out that since no two are |
| Tiny spots of white, black, or other | | | | alike, they provide an important road |
| colors. | | | | map that may help us identify our |
| Cracks. Some cause no problems at all. | | | | property later. |
| Other could cause the stone to split. | | | | Clarity Enhanced Diamonds |
| Colored and uncolored crystals. | | | | Diamond clarity can be enhanced with |
| Diamond Blemishes | | | | treatments, but not all enhancement |
| Flaws on a diamond's exterior surface. | | | | techniques are permanent. The two most |
| Many exterior flaws are the result of | | | | popular treatments are: |
| the cutting and polishing process. | | | | Laser Treatments |
| The Gemological Institute of America | | | | A laser is used to remove some types of |
| (GIA) grades diamond clarity using 10X | | | | inclusions. An experienced jeweler can |
| magnification. | | | | usually see the trail left by the laser. |
| They tag diamonds as: | | | | Laser treatments are permanent. |
| Fl, Flawless | | | | Fracture Filling |
| No internal or external flaws. | | | | Tiny cracks in a diamond are filled with |
| IF, Internally Flawless | | | | a colorless substance. |
| No internal flaws. Slight external | | | | Fracture filling is not considered |
| blemishes. | | | | permanent. |
| VVS1 & VVS2, Very, very slightly | | | | Treatments allow us to own a diamond |
| included. | | | | that appears to be of a higher clarity |
| Minute inclusions. Difficult for even an | | | | than it truly is. Treated diamonds |
| experienced grader to detect. | | | | should cost less, so it's important to |
| VS1 & VS2, Very slightly included | | | | buy diamonds from a jeweler you trust, |
| Minute inclusions. Not easily seen by an | | | | one who evaluates and discloses any type |
| experienced grader. | | | | of treatment that's been performed. |
| SI1 & SI2, Slightly included | | | | Clarity is just one element you must |
| Inclusions that are noticeable to an | | | | consider before you buy a diamond. |
| experienced grader. | | | | You'll look at its color, its cut, its |
| I1 & I2 & I3, Included | | | | carat weight, its price and many other |
| Obvious inclusions that may affect | | | | factors. Your quest to purchase a |
| transparency and brilliance. | | | | diamond is kind of like a large jigsaw |
| Don't be concerned if the clarity of the | | | | puzzle. It's only when all the pieces of |
| diamond you choose is not near the top | | | | the puzzle fall into place that you find |
| the scale, because those diamonds are | | | | the perfect diamond for you. |