Diamond Clarity Grading
Diamonds have the capability to refract more light than
any other gemstone. Most diamonds contain tiny natural marks
called inclusions. The number of inclusions, their size
and location all affect the diamond's clarity grade.
One which is free of interior inclusions or exterior flaws
has nothing to interfere with the passage of light through
the stone and so is considered to be of the highest quality.
A diamond's clarity grade is actually a flaw-grade and refers
to the tiny imperfections present when the stone was originally
formed by nature. If no flaws can be seen under 10X magnification
with a diamond loupe*, it is considered "flawless".
*Definitions:
A loupe is a special magnifying glass that enables you
to take a closer look at a diamond. The loupe makes
internal flaws and surface blemishes more apparent and allows
you to assess color, cut, clarity and other aspects of the
stone.
10X (magnification of 10 times the original size).
GIA and CIBJO
The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and CIBJO (Confederation
Internationale de la Bijouterie, Joaillerie, Orfevrerie,
des diamants, perles, et pierres precieuses ) have well
established, widely respected standards for judging qualities
in diamonds.
| GIA |
CIBJO |
Discription |
| FL |
F |
Flawless
- no internal or external inclusions
of any kind visable under 10x magnification to a trained
eye |
| IF |
Loupe
Clean |
Internally
Flawless
- no internal inclusions visible under
10x magnification to a trained eye |
| VVS-1
|
VVS-1
|
Very Very
Slightly Included 1
- usually just one tiny inclusion visible only to a
trained eye under 10x |
| VVS-2
|
VVS-2
|
Very Very
Slightly Included 2
- tiny inclusions visible only to
a trained eye under 10x |
| VS-1 |
VS-1 |
Very Slightly
Included 1
- very small inclusions visible
with 10x magnification |
| VS-2 |
VS-2 |
Very Slightly
Included 2
- several very small inclusions
visible with 10x magnification |
| SI-1 |
SI-1 |
Slightly
Included
- small inclusions fairly easily visible
with 10x magnification |
| SI-2 |
SI-2 |
Slightly
Included
- several small inclusions that may be visible to the
naked eye for a trained observer |
| I-1 |
P1 - Piqué1 |
Imperfect
- inclusions that can be seen with the naked eye |
| I-2 |
P1 - Piqué2 |
Imperfect |
| I-3 |
P1 - Piqué3 |
Imperfect |
| |
|
|
What do Diamonds & Gold Recommend?
Clarity grades of SI2 or above are defined as flawless
to the naked eye, but SI1 is safer in larger sizes. It's
not necessary to go all the way up to IF (internally flawless)
to get a beautiful diamond. From SI1 and above, diamonds
will appear the same to the naked eye, differing only in
the other factors of the 4 Cs.
