DIAMOND CLARITY

The Basics
The clarity of a diamond is one of the fundamental attributes (one of the 4 C's) to knowing how to judge a diamond, and becomes especially important if the impurities are noticable to the naked eye in diamond jewellery or engagement rings. Clarity stands for the level of inclusions such as scratches, blemishes, pockets of air and non diamond material inside or on the surface of the diamond; the better the clarity the fewer inclusions or blemishes in the diamond. Fewer inclusions make diamonds rarer and more highly valued.

Classification of Clarity
Diamonds are graded according to GIA's clarity scale according to how visible the inclusions are. The range of grading starts at Flawless where the diamond is completely free of inclusions even under magnification, to Included where the diamond has inclusions visible to the human eye. These categories originate from the ability to see the inclusions under 10x magnification (the loop that diamond professionals use, generally have 10x magnification).

Grading

Definition

Comments

Flawless or Internally Flawless

No internal inclusions, very rare

Very very slightly included

Inclusions almost impossible to discover under 10x magnification

Very slightly included

Tiny inclusions not visible to the human eye, difficult to see at 10x magnification.

Slightly included

Tiny inclusions visible under 10x magnification and sometimes visible to the human eye in SI2

Included

Inclusions visible to the human eye

The F to VS2 categories are referred to by diamond professionals as "eye clean" and represent the highest category of quality. Providing the inclusions are not too visible to the human eye, the SI category could offer very good value for money.

Should you prefer a diamond with a different clarity than the choice offered on the website, please contact Customer Services.