Diamond Clarity

What Is Diamond Clarity?

Diamond clarity is the assessment of small imperfections on the surface and within the stone. Surface flaws are called blemishes, while internal defects are known as inclusions. In most cases, a diamond’s beauty is not affected by these in any way since most inclusions can’t be seen by the naked eye. When referring to inclusions, gemologists often use the term “internal characteristics” instead of flaws. Internal characteristics are what give a natural diamond its character. It’s also important to note that diamonds with the fewest and smallest inclusions receive the highest clarity grades—and higher price tags to reflect that.

Keep in mind that each diamond is different and imperfect. They are created underground under intense heat and pressure. Inclusions and imperfections from nature are unavoidable.

Quick Tips for Clarity

There are several myths surrounding diamond clarity, one of which is that you must get a high clarity grade in order to perceive no flaws. Another prevalent myth is that greater sparkle comes from higher clarity grades. Both of these are untrue! Here are some pointers to help you begin your hunt for diamonds:

• The phrase “eye clean” refers to inclusions in the diamond that are too tiny to notice without a magnifying glass.
• Because inclusions won’t be easy to see without magnification, Slightly Included (SI) and Very Slightly Included (VS) grades are a good place to start your search and make the most of your budget.
• Clarity is impacted by diamond size and shape. Although a diamond’s clarity is less significant than its cut or color, you may want to spend more money for a higher clarity grade if you are purchasing a stone that weighs more than one carat or are considering a fancy shape diamond (such as an emerald or Asscher cut where flaws are more obvious).
• A diamond’s clarity has a significant impact on its aesthetic appeal. Diamond clarity is a crucial factor to take into account when purchasing a diamond, much like the other 4Cs. While price is influenced by clarity, there are a number of other factors that can help you choose the best clarity grade for you.

There are a total of 11 grades in 6 categories for diamond clarity.

The Diamond Grading System and Clarity Scale of the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) were developed in 1953 by Richard T. Liddicoat and associates. There are 6 categories and 11 diamond clarity grades on the GIA scale for grading diamonds.

Included Diamonds, I1, I2, and I3

• I clarity diamonds contain blatant inclusions that will probably be notified and have an influence on attractiveness.
• I clarity grade loose diamonds for engagement ring designs are not offered by Neptunes Blvd.
• There is a small variety of jewelry from  Neptunes Blvd that has I1 diamonds already set in it.

Slightly Included (SI) Diamonds, grades SI1, SI2

• At a 10x magnification, inclusions are visible.
• SI diamonds are frequently the greatest value when eye-clear.
• A skilled unassisted eye may be able to spot SI2 inclusions, especially when looking from the side.

Diamonds with very few inclusions (VS1, VS2)

• At a 10x magnification, minor inclusions range in visibility from challenging (VS1) to moderately easy (VS2).
• Excellent value; most favored diamond clarity from the  Neptunes Blvd

Very Slightly Included (VVS) diamonds in grades 1 and 2

• VVS diamonds feature minute inclusions that, even to skilled eyes, are difficult to spot at a 10x magnification.
• VVS clarity is uncommon and gives eyes a clean look.
• Even with a trained eye, characteristics are tiny and hard to notice at 10x magnification.

Diamonds with no internal flaws (IF)

• IF diamonds may have a few minor surface imperfections that may be seen under a microscope.
• If a diamond is flawless, just its external features determine its grade.
• Aesthetically pleasing

Unblemished (FL) Diamonds

• with no features, internal or external
• FL clarity diamonds make little less than 1% of all diamonds.
• Because it’s so difficult to find a diamond that is 100% free of inclusions, flawless diamonds are extremely rare.

Chart for Diamond Clarity

To discover more about the diamond grades, consult our sliding scale diamond clarity chart. To compare I3 diamonds to FL diamonds, you may slide left and right.

Unblemished (FL) Diamonds

Even when magnified 10 times, flawless diamonds don’t have inclusions or flaws that may be seen. The clarity FL makes up less than 1% of all diamonds. Because it is so difficult to find a diamond that is 100% inclusion-free, flawless diamonds are extremely rare. Customers purchase FL diamonds in 6% of cases.

Buy FL Diamonds >

Five Aspects of diamond clarity

Size: The expected clarity grade is lower the larger or more visible a trait is.

Number: This is the total amount of features that are readily apparent. A higher clarity grade is correlated with having fewer features.

Position: What place does each given trait have? A characteristic’s placement inside the diamond anatomy will have an effect on the rating. Is it near a pavilion and under the table, which is most visible? The clarity grade is more significantly affected by this position, which transforms inclusions into reflectors.

Nature: A diamond’s nature refers to the type of inclusion and how it affects durability.

Color and relief:   A characteristic’s visibility or the degree of contrast between it and the surrounding diamonds is fundamentally measured by color and relief.

Why the Best Value Is in SI and VS Diamonds.

You might want to think about a diamond that won’t break the bank even if the exceedingly uncommon Flawless (FL) or Internally Flawless (IF) diamonds are the best quality diamond clarity. Choose an eye clean diamond, also known as a diamond with no inclusions visible through the crown without magnification, such as one with a SI or VS clarity grade, to get the best value. Although these diamonds are much less expensive, they visually resemble diamonds of higher grades.

Diamond Form

More clarity is required for some diamond shapes than for others. Step-cut diamonds in emerald and Asscher shapes include rectangular facets that emphasize transparency and allow you to see deeper within the stone, which can make inclusions more obvious. To guarantee that the inclusions won’t be seen, use a clarity grade of VS1 or above for these diamond shapes.

Round, princess, oval, marquise, pear, and heart-shaped diamonds, on the other hand, might not need such a high clarity grade. These forms naturally conceal numerous inclusions since they are cut with a dazzling facet pattern that reflects light from many different angles.

A diamond’s size

The number and size of the facets (the diamond’s many mirror-like surfaces) grow with the diamond’s size. Inclusions may become more obvious as a result. As the size of your diamond increases, make sure to give higher clarity grades more consideration.

The Plot for Diamond Clarity

Along with their GIA grading report, diamonds larger than one carat are given a diamond clarity plot. The imperfections, flaws, and features of a stone are depicted on a diamond clarity plot. It will list the elements that affected the stone’s grade and could reveal additional traits. The GIA certification is accompanied by the diamond clarity plot.

Frequently Used Diamond Clarity Grades

There are several sorts of diamond grades to pick from, each with a range of pricing ranges and brilliant stones. Numerous characteristics can be concealed by different shapes and cuts. Finding stunning diamonds with fewer inclusions may be accomplished by selecting diamond clarity of SI1 or SI2. Our most popular options are our VS (Very Slightly Included) and SI (Slightly Included) diamonds. There may be some imperfections in these diamond clarity grades, but most of them are difficult to spot without a magnifying glass. The diamond’s cut or shape can also conceal a number of its features.

Assessing Clarity

It is usually more challenging to notice any imperfections or flaws in a smaller diamond. The features of a diamond may become more apparent as its carat weight increases. For larger diamonds, clarity is a crucial factor to take into account.

The GIA Grading Report Has More Information About A Diamond’s Features (Inclusions/Blemishes).

Any qualities that aren’t taken into account while determining the diamond’s grade may nevertheless be included on the GIA grading report or clarity plot (if one is present). You’ll only see a clarity plot, as is customary in the business, if the diamond weighs more than one carat.

There Are Various Forms Of Diamond Flaws And Inclusions.

If you share our fascination with the issue of internal and exterior diamond features, take a closer look at the many kinds of inclusions and flaws in your prospective diamond.

Diamond Inclusions: Types

• Clouds
• Feathers
• minerals or crystals
• Knots
• Cavities
• Cleavage
• Graining on the inside

Examples Of Different Blemishes

• Poland’s lines
• Scratches
• Nicks
• Pits
• Chips
• Breaks
• Various shades of color

Clarity Grade Neptunes Blvd Diamonds Shopping

We provide the greatest quality diamonds at the best price possible at  Neptunes Blvd. We offer the following diamond clarity grades if you’re looking for a diamond ring or other diamond jewelry:

Perfect Diamonds

• Diamonds with FL & IF (Rare Finds)

Diamonds Slightly Included

• Diamonds with VVS (Excellent Quality)
• (Best Price & Most Popular) VS & SI Diamonds

FAQ about Diamond Clarity

Which clarity of diamond offers the best value?
Although every diamond is different, in general, diamond clarity grades VI and SI offer the best value.

Which VS diamond is the better option?
There are two levels of diamond clarity that provide great value with almost any observable inclusions. Our most popular selection is a diamond that is very little included. There are two levels of this clarity grade, VS1 and VS2, with VS1 being the better grade on the spectrum of diamond clarity. Though VS1 is a slightly higher clarity, VS2 diamonds are also a great option.

Which forms can mask defects in diamond clarity?
Diamonds with lower clarity grades can effectively hide imperfections by having more facets. Oval, cushion, and round diamonds are included in this.

Is diamond clarity a crucial factor?
The most crucial of the four Cs are cut, but clarity should also be taken into account. Clarity is a significant quality in bigger stones or diamonds with less dazzling faceted facets.

How are diamond inclusions formed?
When diamonds are formed naturally, the high heat and pressure can result in inclusions forming within the stone.

Can inclusions be seen without magnification?
In lower clarity grade diamonds, inclusions, blemishes, and characteristics may be seen without magnification. Stones with diamond clarity I2 and I3 are most likely to have inclusions that are visible to the unaided eye without magnification. As the diamond clarity scale continues up towards FL stones, the inclusions become more difficult to spot and are typically only seen with magnification by a trained jeweler.

Possessing a query?

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