|
|
|
A diamonds clarity rating is the key measure of its overall quality.
The natural internal defects of a diamond are called inclusions. These may be crystals of a foreign material or another diamond crystal, or structural imperfections such as tiny cracks that can appear whitish or cloudy. The number, size, color, location, orientation, and visibility of inclusions can all affect the relative clarity of a diamond. The most obvious flaws are; clouding, substantial crystallisation (a mark that occurs as the crystal forms, substantial crystallisation constitutes a considerable flaw on the surface or depth of the diamond), nodes and naturals (a part of the surface is left in its original rough state). The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) has also set guidelines relating to clarity grading of diamonds. Diamonds are graded under 10 x magnifications. The G.I.A. Clarity grading system is as follows: • FL = "Flawless". No flaws visible to a trained jeweller under 10 X magnification. Other properties of the diamond are absolutely perfect. • IF = "Internally Flawless". No flaws visible inside the diamond. There may be some surface imperfections, or problems with the cut or polish of the diamond • VVS1 = "Very Very Slightly Included 1". Flaws or imperfections are barely detectable to the trained eye under 10 X magnification. • VVS2 = "Very Very Slightly Included 2". Flaws or imperfections that are almost undetectable to the trained eye under 10 X magnification. Just slightly lower in clarity than a VVS1. • VS1 = "Very Slightly Included 1". Flaws or imperfections that are slightly detectable to the trained eye under 10 X magnification. Just slightly lower in clarity than a VVS2. • VS2 = "Very Slightly Included 2". Flaws or imperfections that are detectable to the trained eye under 10 X magnification. Just slightly lower in clarity than a VS1. • SI1 = "Slightly Included 1". Flaws or imperfections that are relatively easy to detect under 10 X magnification. Just slightly lower in clarity than a VS2. • SI2 = "Slightly Included 2". Flaws or imperfections that are very easy to detect under 10 X magnification. Just slightly lower in clarity than a SI1. This is the last clarity grade where no flaws are visible to the naked eye (assuming normal vision). • SI3 = "Slightly Included 3". Flaws or imperfections that are extremely easy to detect under 10 X magnification. There is a slight possibility of detecting the flaws with the naked eye. At present the G.I.A. does not recognize SI3 as a clarity grade. Only the E.G.L. (European Gemological Laboratory) uses the SI3 clarity grade designation. • I1 = "Imperfect 1". Flaws or imperfections that are barely detectable with the naked eye (with normal eyesight). • I2 = "Imperfect 2". Flaws or imperfections that are easy to detect with the naked eye (with normal eyesight). • I3 = "Imperfect 3". Flaws or imperfections that are extremely easy to detect with the naked eye (with normal eyesight). Diamonds are graded by the major societies on a scale ranging from flawless to imperfect. Flawless is classified as ‘FL’. FL IF VVS1 VVS2 VS1 VS2 SI1 SI2 SI3 I1 I2 I3 The clarity grades SI1 and SI2 are underlined because they reflect "average" clarity grading. SI2 is the last clarity grade where a diamond is will show no visible flaws to the naked eye. Those that do not have a visible inclusion are known as "eye-clean" and are preferred by most buyers. |