DIAMOND EDUCATION

Clarity

 

Clarity is the measure of how efficiently a diamond is able to allow light to pass through it, reflect off of it, and refract within it by relating to the existence and visual appearance of internal characteristics of a diamond called inclusions, and surface defects called blemishes.

 

This light quality is determined by a number of factors, one of which is the level of flaws, both internal and external. Inclusions are more often the more detrimental of the flaws. All diamonds contain features, or flaws, such as mineral inclusions and fractures, and most flaws can be so slight as to have no effect on the diamond’s ability to transmit and scatter light.

 

However, larger flaws, and large groupings of flaws, can diminish the ability of light to pass through the diamond undisturbed. The location and coloration of the flaw has tremendous impact on the overall impact on the diamond’s clarity. If a flaw is located near the center of the diamond, and is dark in color, it will often be more detrimental to the diamond’s clarity than a clear flaw closer to the diamonds edge.

 

 

Clarity is the one area where you will find that you can sacrifice a certain measure of perfection for the sake of cost and still have a diamond that you will love and cherish. Clarity has tremendous impact on the final cost of the diamond, as it is one of the 4 C’s taken into account with the assessing of a diamond’s characteristics, as well as determining a diamond’s monetary value. A scale for clarity is used to assess exactly where a particular diamond stands within the world of diamonds.

 

The grading system has been devised to measure the amount of imperfections within diamonds, based on size, location, quantity, color, and nature of the inner flaws, or inclusions, when viewed under a magnification of 10X.

 

Inclusions need not be looked upon with disgust, however, as small inclusions, which detract negligibly from a diamond’s clarity and brilliance, can serve as distinct markers for an individual diamond, as no two diamonds share the same inclusions or inclusion patterns. It is for this reason that it is important to become familiar with the inclusions within your diamond, as they serve as the diamond’s fingerprint. Knowing your diamond’s distinct characteristics will allow you to properly identify your diamond should it leave your hands to be cleaned, appraised, or for any other reason.

 

 

The scale that is most commonly used to determine a clarity grade for diamonds was created in the 1930’s. This grading scale runs from FL to I3. All diamonds of gem quality need to be graded on this scale in order for the diamond’s value to be assessed properly.

 

 

The scale runs as follows: :

Les diamants, comme toutes les substances naturelles, sont sujets aux impuretés. Ces impuretés sont formées à tout moment dans la longue durée de vie du diamant : de sa création au sein de la roche en fusion, où de nombreux autres minéraux environnants peuvent être piégés dans la structure cristalline du diamant, à la taille et au polissage du diamant par les artisans gemmologues. Ce sont ces processus qui favorisent la création de défauts dans et sur le diamant. Ces défauts sont répartis en deux catégories principales, les inclusions et les imperfections. La connaissance de ces deux catégories et la nomenclature concernée par ces défauts vous aidera à comprendre pourquoi un diamant est plus coûteux qu'un autre.

 

 

There is also a grade of SI3 (Small Inclusions 3), but this is used primarily by merchants. The actual names of each grade are simple to understand. They simply reflect the amount of internal flaws (inclusions) and external flaws (blemishes or occlusions) visible to a trained professional diamond jeweler under a 10x loupe or magnification.