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Diamond Clarity

What is clarity of diamonds?

Clarity of Diamond Occurrence of less impurities and flaws in a diamond crystal is known as clarity of diamond. A diamond with more clarity is more suitable for use in diamond rings and other diamond jewelry.

Since diamond is a naturally occurring substance. It may include some impurities and structural defects (like fractures) during its formation in the earth. In other words, diamond are not formed in a laboratory, they are formed inside the earth. So it is not unexpected that none of the diamonds is perfectly clear. Most of the diamonds have impurities and defects. These defects appear like cloud, haze or spot in the crystal.

Clarity is a measure of purity, flawlessness and clearness of diamond. Clarity is less if imperfections (impurities) are bigger in size or more in number. A diamond with light color impurities has more clarity than a diamond with dark color impurities because light color impurities are less visible. If color of impurity is same as the color of diamond, the impurity will be less visible, hence more clarity.

Nature of impurities and location of impurities are also factors to measure clarity of diamond. If imperfection is located at visually more prominent position, clarity is considered as low.

Imperfections in diamonds are of two types: internal and external. Internal imperfections are known as inclusions whereas external imperfections are known as blemishes of diamonds. Bubbles, cracks, impurities etc are counted in inclusions. Blemishes are surface imperfections of diamond like scratches, chips and rubbing marks etc. When we grade a diamond according to clarity, we only use the term inclusion for all imperfections of diamonds. The word blemishes is not used.

How do impurities affect clarity of diamond?

Impurities adversely affect clarity of diamonds. Impurities are bad as they obstruct the light that passes through the diamond crystal. This results into lowering of brilliance and grade of the diamond. Hence diamonds with more clarity are more precious than diamonds with low clarity. Diamonds with low clarity are not suitable for making diamond ring and other jewelry.

Inclusions and blemishes are formed when a diamond develops inside the earth. Some non carbon substances happen to be inside the crystal, which become a part of the crystal. Blemishes can also result from flaw in cutting and polishing process.

Diamond Clarity Chart

Diamond clarity chart or diamond clarity scale is used to compare clarity of diamonds. According to the clarity scale, diamonds are categorized as: 1) Flawless 2) Very very slightly included 3) Slightly included 4) Included 5) Very much included.

1) Flawless diamonds totally clear from flaws. They are the best gift of nature. Light passing through a flawless diamond is uninterrupted. This results into a wonderful, unmatched sparkle and unique beauty. Diamonds with flawless clarity grade are very rare and costly. Flawless diamonds are represented by symbol F in grading certificate.

2) Internally Flawless (IF): These diamonds have no internal flaws visible under careful analysis using 10X microscope. They have small surface blemishes.

3) Very very slightly included diamonds show impurities visible with difficulty when seen with 10x magnifying glass of loupe tool. Only a trained grader can view these flaws. There are gemological microscopes to view the purity of diamonds. Clarity of this type of diamond is represented by the symbol VVS1 or VVS2 in the grading certificate. According to grading scale, diamond with VVS1 grade has higher clarity than VVS2 grade.

4) Very Slightly Included: Diamonds with clarity grade very slightly (VS) included, have minute inclusions seen only with difficulty under 10x magnification. VS grade is further divided into two grades: VS1 and VS2. VS1 grade has more clarity than VS2 grade.

5) Slightly Included (SI) diamonds show more easily detectable impurities when seen under microscope. They may also be visible with naked eye with difficulty. SI grade is further divided into SI1 grade and SI2 grade. SI1 grade has higher clarity than SI2 grade.

6) Included (I): Diamonds that come in this clarity grading scale have clearly visible inclusions when seen even with a naked eye. The I grade is further divided into I1, I2 and I3 grades. Diamond with I1 grade has more clarity than diamond with I2 grade. Diamond with I2 grade has more clarity than diamond with I3 grade. I1 grade diamonds have visible flaws. I2 grade diamonds have more easily visible flaws, where as I3 grade diamonds have numerous large flaws. Diamonds that fall into this category are not preferred for jewelry. Big jewelry brands straight way discard these diamonds. Only local jewelers may use these diamonds and sell them at cheap/discounted rates. Alternatively, diamonds of this clarity grade are used for industrial purpose.

Sometimes, laser drilling technique is used to drill a tiny hole in the diamond and remove the imperfection out. These are called clarity enhanced diamonds. Some people don't mind buying clarity enhanced diamond rings and other jewelry. But the diamond certificate must specifically mention this.

Diamonds with some flaws are also charming. Mostly, flaws are not visible with naked eye. Good color and cut often impart beauty to diamonds. Blemishes and inclusions can be hidden by mounting the diamond in such a way that they are not easily locatable.

Significance: Diamond clarity is not only measure of flawlessness of a diamond but also acts as a fingerprint of the diamond. This fingerprint is used as an identity proof of the diamond. According to GIA, a diamond's certificate includes plot of the diamond's flaws: i.e. it mentions the places of occurrence, color and size of all the flaws. Since no two diamonds can have same size & color of flaws at same locations, the certificate gives us guarantee that we are getting the same diamond which is mentioned in the certificate. This certificate becomes a legal document as identity proof of the diamond in your ring.

Which is the best clarity grade: Diamonds with grade flawless are very rare. They are unexpectedly costly. There is no use to go for these diamonds because they don't look different from other diamonds with slight inclusions, when seen with naked eye. From F grade to SI grade, the clarity grade just impacts cost of diamond. It hardly impacts visible brilliance of diamond with naked eye. So you can go for any of VS1, VS2, SI1 or SI2 clarity grade diamonds for your diamond engagement ring. Instead of stressing too much on clarity only, also consider cut, color and carat of diamond stones in the ring.