Diamond Clarity

Clarity

Natural diamonds form from carbon exposed to tremendous heat and pressure deep in the earth. Diamonds often contain clarity characteristics, called inclusions or blemishes. Inclusions are enclosed within the gem and blemishes are on the surface of the diamond. If all else is equal, the closer a diamond is to flawless, with no inclusions or blemishes, the higher its value.

Diamond Inclusions

Natural diamonds are the result of carbon exposed to tremendous heat and pressure deep in the earth. This process can result in a variety of internal characteristics called ‘inclusions.’ Many inclusions and blemishes are too tiny to be seen by anyone other than a trained diamond grader. This is why expert and accurate assessment of diamond clarity is extremely important.

 

Flawless (FL)

Flawless (FL): No inclusions and no blemishes are visible to a skilled grader using 10x magnification

 

Internally Flawless (IF)

Internally Flawless (IF): No inclusions and only blemishes are visible to a skilled grader using 10x magnification

 

Very, Very Slightly Included (VVS)

Very, Very Slightly Included (VVS): Minute inclusions that range from extremely difficult to very difficult to see are visible to a skilled grader using 10x magnification

 

Very Slightly Included (VS)

Very Slightly Included (VS): Minor Inclusions that range from difficult to somewhat easy to see are visible to a skilled grader using 10x magnification

 

Slightly Included (SI)

Slightly Included (SI): Noticeable inclusions that range from easy to very easy to see are visible to a skilled grader using 10x magnification

 

Included (I)

Included (I): Obvious inclusions are visible to a skilled grader using 10x magnification and may affect transparency and brilliance