The Four C’s – Clarity
The beauty of a diamond is often admired, not only for its ability to sparkle and shine, but also for its rarity. However, most diamonds will have defects that will decrease their value. These defects are referred to in the “Four C’s” as “clarity”. Here we discover what clarity means and why it should be considered when buying a diamond.
What Does it Mean?
Because diamonds are formed in the ground over hundreds of years, amongst a plethora of other minerals, it is almost impossible for the formation of a diamond to not include various other elements. When grading a diamond on its clarity, the expert is specifically looking for these “elements” and any other flaws the stone may hold.
The international grading scale standard was developed by the GIA and uses the following descriptions:
• FL = Flawless. No inclusions or blemishes are able to be seen by a professional grading expert with 10× magnification
• IF = Internally Flawless – No inclusions, yet blemishes are able to be seen by a with 10× magnification
• VVS1 and VVS2 = Very, Very Slightly Included – Inclusions are hard to be seen by a using 10× magnification
• VS1 and VS2 = Very Slightly Included – Inclusions are easily detectable using 10× magnification but can be viewed as insignificant flaws
• SI1 and SI2 = Slightly Included – Inclusions are visible to a professional grading expert under 10× magnification
• I1, I2, and I3 = Included – Inclusions are noticeable using 10× magnification and could have an effect on brilliance and transparency
What Does Inclusions Mean?
The word “inclusions” is a blanket term used to describe a fault or defect within a stone. As previously mentioned, there can be a range of minerals that can be found in a diamond, along with fractures or cracks. This should not deter you from buying a particular diamond as many of them are not even visible to the naked eye! The amount of inclusions that can be found in any one diamond will usually alter the price of the stone. However, many people prefer to look at inclusions in a more positive light. Each inclusion can be seen as “characteristics” or “birthmarks” of the diamond and actually makes the stone easier to identify.
There is always going to be a compromise on clarity if you are shopping on a tight budget, but at the end of the day, many diamonds are still breathtaking even with a few little “birthmarks” here and there.
Simon Middleton is part of the Diamond Exchange team who provide advice on buying engagement rings, how to choose diamonds and diamond rings.
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