 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.
|