14 Dec 08 A close look at how a diamond is graded - the truth about clarity!
Today I’m going to have a look at one of the “4 C’s” of diamonds. For those that aren’t aware, diamonds are graded in 4 main categories - cut, color, carat and clarity. Today I want to have a close look at the last one - clarity.
The range for grading clarity ranges from IF (the best) down to I3 (the worst). In total, there are 10 different categories that a diamond can be given.
Clarity refers to how many “inclusions” that are found in the stone. Basically, inclusions are small blemishes or imperfections. These form naturally when the rock is forming in the earth and inclusions are found in nearly all diamonds.
When grading the diamond, a gemologist looks at the diamond under magnification to look at the inclusions that are present. The grading is then submitted based on the number of inclusions, and also how apparent or large they are.
As an example, a diamond that has an IF grading has no inclusions whatsoever. This is extremely rare, and as you can imagine, this type of diamond carries a huge price premium attached to it.
A stone with a grading of VS2 will have “very slight” inclusions - these will only be noticeable when viewed under a microscope and aren’t typically noticeable with just the naked eye. These diamonds are priced for significantly less that an IF graded diamond.
It’s important to understand the different ways diamonds are graded. Grab a diamond buying guide - you will be pleased you did in the end and will make it possible to save a lot of money on your purchase. Just a little education will be the difference in finding an affordable engagement ring instead of overpaying and putting a huge smile on your jewelers face.
