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C's of Diamonds > Clarity
4 C's of Diamonds - Clarity
| FL |
Flawless, no inclusions
or blemishes of any sort under 10x |
| IF |
Internally flawless, no inclusions and only insignificant
blemishes under10x. |
| VVS1 - VVS2 |
Inclusions are difficult
to locate or see under 10x. |
| VS1 - VS2 |
Inclusions present less
difficulty to locate or see under 10x. |
| SI1 - SI2 |
Inclusions are readily
seen at 10x, although they remain invisible to the
unaided eye when the diamond is viewed face up. |
| I1 |
One or more inclusions
or their effect, can be seen by the unaided eye. |
| I2 |
Inclusions are easily
visible to the unaided eye. |
| I3 |
Inclusions are so obvious
and large that they affect both brilliancy and beauty
of the diamond. |
FLAWLESS (FL)
A flawless diamond shows no inclusions or blemishes
of any sort when observed by a skilled grader under
lOx magnification. To establish a stone as flawless,
(the Gemelogical Institute of America) GIA Gem Trade
Laboratory graders examine it with both a microscope
and a loupe.The following conditions will still qualify
as stone as flawless:
* Extra facets on the pavilion which cannot be seen
when the stone is viewed face-up.
* Small naturals confined to the width of the girdle
(unless the girdle is thick).
* Internal graining which is neither reflective, whitish,
colored, nor significantly affecting transparency.
How much naturals should influence the clarity grade
of a diamond is a matter of opinion. Opinions range
from those who think that any natural excludes a stone
from flawless or even internally flawless to those who
accept naturals of almost any size in the flawless classification.
GIA takes a "middle-of-the-road" position:
If a natural is small enough to be confined within the
width of the girdle (except when the girdle is thick)
and does not affect the symmetry of the stone by creating
a flat spot or indentation, it is considered an identintifying
characteristic and does not influence the clarity grade.
If, on the other hand, the natural flattens or indents
the girdle outline, or can be seen when the stone is
viewed face-up, it does affect the grade.
INTERNALLY FLAWLESS (IF)
This grade applies to diamonds which have no inclusions,
but do have some minor surface blemishes. Characteristics
such as surface grain lines, naturals, and extra facets
on the crown, render a diamond internally flawless rather
than flawless. Diamonds classified as internally flawless
must be free from any internal imperfection when examined
by a skilled diamond grader using lOx magnification.
Blemishes that can be removed by minor repolishing separate
the internally flawless from the flawless grade. The
one exception is a diamond that reveals minor surface
grain lines which ordinarily can not be removed by repolishing.
VERY VERY SLIGHTLY INCLUDED (VVS1,
and VVS2)
These grades describe diamonds which contain minute
inclusions that are difficult even for skilled graders
to see under lOx magnification. An example of VVSI might
be a minute pinpoint or hairline feather or perhaps
a pinpoint or two visible under the bezel facet. To
keep the VVS grades in perspective, it should be noted
that they represent the top clarity grade carried by
most suppliers and retail jewelers. The VVS grades have
often been and still are, presented
as flawless or perfect diamonds with no intent to misrepresent-by
wholesalers and retailers simply because such minute
inclusions are difficult to see.Reflective internal
graining, bearded girdles,minor bruises,tiny cavities,
etc., would be sufficient to grade the stones as VVS1
or VVS2, depending upon degree.
VERY SLIGHTLY INCLUDED(VS1, and VS2)
Although inclusions are clearly visible under lOx magnification
in the VS grades, they are characterized as minor or
small in appearance. Diamonds in these grades might
have characteristics such as small included crystals,
small clouds, small feathers, or several pinpoints.
The inclusions in these grades do not affect the beauty
or the durability of the stone.
Slightly Included(SI1, and SI2)
These grades describe stones in which the inclusions
are noticeable or fairly easy to see under lOx magnification.
Typical characteristics include clouds, included crystals,
knots, chips, pits, cavities, and feathers. Usually
none are visible when the stones are viewed with the
unaided eye.
IMPERFECT (I1, I2, and I3)
These grades include diamonds with inclusions which
are obvious under 1Ox magnification or can be seen with
the unaided eye, and those that have inclusions, such
as large cleavages, large included crystals surrounded
by feathers, that seriously influence durability. These
grades also include diamonds in which the inclusions
are so numerous that they affect transparency and brilliance.
The differences between I1, I2, and I3 diamonds are
matters of degree. Actually, there are a lot of I1 and
I2s sold in the jewelry markets. Most promotional goods,
for example, fall into these categories. While you will
find them easy to recognize, you will often have to
point out to your customers the characteristics that
lead to the I classification, and many consumers are
happy with them. (As is the case with any diamond, they
look their best when they are spotlessly clean. A little
time spent explaining this to a customer will help keep
them satisfied with what they have bought.).I3, the
bottom category, includes diamonds that lack transparency
and those with large cleavages and dark inclusions easily
visible to the unaided eye.They are actually borderline
industrial stones; whether they are graded as industrial
or gem qualfty depends onmarket demand.
A large stone with an eye-visible inclusion at or near
the girdle may not warrant an I grade, because the inclusion
could be removed with much less loss of value than an
I grade would suggest. When appraising, some diamond
experts grade such stones as I's, but value them on
the basis of the recut grade and lower weight they would
have if the inclusion were removed.
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