Clarity
She’s one-of-a-kind. And her diamond will be, too.
Diamonds are like snowflakes — each one is unique. That’s because during
crystallization, minerals can get trapped in the diamond. These characteristics,
sometimes called inclusions, or blemishes, give each diamond its individuality.
Some people also call them "birthmarks." The number, color, size, and position
of these all affect our assessment of clarity.
Size: How large the inclusion is.
Number: How many inclusions are present.
Position: Where the inclusion is located. For instance, it may be more hidden in the inside lower facets, or more obvious on the surface
of the diamond.
Nature: Based on their size and location some inclusions may affect the durability of the diamond.
Relief: Based on color, some inclusions may be more apparent than others. For example black inclusions are much more visible than white or
clear inclusions.
Watch our other videos:
The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) has a scale to measure
diamond clarity, ranging from FL, which means "flawless," to I3, which means
obvious inclusions and blemishes are visible. Subscript numerals indicate the
variations within each grade, with 1 indicating higher clarity, and 3 indicating
less clarity.
Let’s be clear.
Most inclusions aren’t visible to the naked eye. So when you’re looking at
different diamonds, you might decide to give a little on clarity so you can
afford a better cut — or a larger size. That, of course, is a matter of personal
taste. Because at the end of the day, you want the diamond that looks the most
beautiful to you — and to her!
