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Diamond Education    Shape    Cut    Color    Clarity    Carat Weight    Certification

Clarity
Clarity is a combination of how many inclusions occur within a diamond and how noticeable they are.

Most diamonds contain blemishes on the outside of the diamond or inclusions trapped inside the diamond. These inclusions are what distinguish a single diamond from every other diamond. While determining the diamond's clarity grade the following are considered: Size - How small or large is the inclusion ? Position - Where in the stone is the inclusion ? Color - How light or dark is the inclusion ? Number - How many inclusions are there in the diamond ? Relief - How thick or thin is the inclusion ? Nature - What type of inclusion is it ?

Clarity grades range from flawless for a perfectly clean diamond even under a 10-power microscope to an I3 stone where the diamond is so full of inclusions it is both ugly and breakable. The cleaner the diamond the rarer and more expensive it will be.

Clarity Grade

Description
FL
Flawless
No internal or external flaws
IF
Internally flawless
No internal flaws, slight external blemishes
VVS1,VVS2
Very very slight inclusions
Extremely difficult for a professional to see under 10X magnification
VS1,VS2
Very slight inclusions
Very Difficult to see under 10X magnification
SI1,SI2,SI3
Slight inclusions
Easy for a professional to see under 10X magnification; SI3 might be visible to the naked eye
I1,I2,I3
Included
Inclusions that are easily visible to the naked eye. Can be dangerous and subject to breakage

A. Fishman & Son will not sell you a diamond with a clarity grade lower than SI2.

An Example of the Different Clarity Grades:

What Clarity is Best?
We recommend that you select an "eye-clean" diamond — one that has no inclusions visible to the unaided eye. An excellent value, diamonds of this clarity are much less expensive than IF- or FL-grade diamonds and typically do not contain visible inclusions that detract from the beauty of the diamond. If you're considering an SI grade diamond, call to speak to Josh Fishman who will review the diamond to ensure the inclusions are not visible with the unaided eye. Remember that other sellers, like BlueNile, cannot really tell you about their listed diamonds because they don't own them and they don't have instant access to them.  But, if you'd rather not compromise on clarity yet are budget conscious, choose a diamond with a good cut and G to J color.

Diamond Education    Shape    Cut    Color    Clarity    Carat Weight    Certification

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