Shopping BasketWhy is Clarity a Major Consideration When Choosing a Diamond?
Clarity grading measures a diamond's internal and external defects that detract from the diamond's perfection. Diamonds are very rarely perfect. It is the degree of perfection that the graders in the diamond laboratories are assessing.
Diamond grading relies largely upon human judgement and experience. A diamond grading laboratory usually assigns at least two people to grade each diamond. This is to ensure that the right clarity grade and colour is given to the diamond. The grader will assess the diamond's clarity using a 10x magnification loupe.
The placement and size of the diamond's defects, whether they are inclusions inside the diamond crystal or scratches on the external surfaces will determine the final clarity grade of the stone. Most inclusions present in gem-quality diamonds do not affect the diamond's performance or structural integrity. However, large clouds can affect a diamond's ability to transmit and scatter light, and large cracks close to or breaking the surface may reduce a diamond's resistance to fracture.
What Clarity Diamond Should I Buy?
The clarity of your diamond largely depends upon your budget. As said before, a perfectly flawless diamond is very expensive. We recommend that you buy between VS1 and SI2. When you buy within these grades, you know that your diamond's clarity will not be hindering its appearance to the naked eye or its sparkle. When you go lower, into the Pique grades, the flaws not only become visible to the naked eye but they may also obstruct the brilliance of your diamond.
The Five Factors in Determining Clarity
Size of Inclusion
Larger characteristics are typically more noticeable under magnification, thereby placing the diamond into a lower clarity grade. In low grade clarity diamonds large inclusions will be visible to the naked eye.
Number of Inclusions
Generally the more characteristics the lower the clarity grade. This assessment is made by judging how readily they can be seen, not by counting the actual number of characteristics.
Position of Inclusion
An inclusion is most visible when it is directly under the table (the top, flat part) of the diamond. An inclusion under the table and positioned close to a pavilion facet, will reflect multiple times around the stone, therefore have a greater impact on the clarity grade. Inclusions become less visible when they are positioned under the crown facets, or near the girdle of the stone. These inclusions may often be more easily seen from the pavilion side of the diamond than from crown side of the diamond.
Nature of Inclusion
The characteristic's nature determines whether it is internal (where they extend into the stone) or external (where they are limited to the surface of the stone). The nature will also determine whether an inclusion poses a risk to the stone.
Colour or Relief
Characteristics that contrast with the surrounding diamond are said to have relief. The degree to which this color and relief is noticeable affects the clarity grade of the diamond. Colored inclusions invariably show contrast and are more easily seen.
With all these factors taken into consideration, the diamond is then graded on a scale ranging from FL (flawless or 'loupe clean') to Pique (can see imperfections with the naked eye), with the grade assigned based on the overall appearance of the stone under 10x magnification. See diamond clarity for more information.
