Diamond Clarity

The clarity of a diamond is determined by the inclusions found within it, primarily in its internal part.

What are inclusions? They are any details or materials that have solidified naturally within the diamond during its formation, such as crystals of other materials, cracks, fractures, clouds, even diamond crystals, and more.

The standard for assessing diamond clarity according to the GIA involves magnifying the stone by a factor of 10 under skilled observation (by an experienced gemologist). Inclusions that are not visible under this magnification do not affect the stone's clarity level.

Inclusions essentially affect the stone's transparency:
- In a clean stone, light passes through well, making it appear more transparent compared to a stone with numerous inclusions where light does not pass optimally. In cases of very low clarity, inclusions may be noticeable to the naked eye.

There are also external flaws such as scratches, abrasions, signs of wear, etc., which are not considered in clarity grading as they can often be polished away.

When grading diamond clarity, factors considered include the number of flaws/inclusions, their size, their position, their color, and whether they are visible to the naked eye under 10x magnification.

- Flawless (FL): No internal or external flaws - the rarest and most expensive diamonds.
- Internally flawless (IF): No internal flaws at all; there may be minor external flaws.
- Very, very slightly included (VVS1/VVS2): Tiny flaws very difficult to detect.
- Very slightly included (VS1/VS2): Small flaws that are difficult but possible to detect under skilled observation.
- Slightly included (SI1/SI2): Minor flaws that are easy to see under magnification; in extreme cases, they may be visible without magnification.
- Included (I1, I2, and I3): Internal flaws visible to the naked eye without magnification.

These clarity grades are crucial in determining the value and appearance of a diamond, reflecting its purity and brilliance.