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 cut | ||
| clarity | ||
| colour | ||
| carat weight | ||
| certificates | ||
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. 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.