Diamond Clarity
What is Diamond Clarity?
The diamond clarity is evaluated to classify a stone with its natural internal and external characteristics.
Many times infinitesimal stains are found on the surface of the stone and slight internal inclusions due to other minerals or gases. This is because, at the time of the formation of the Diamond, these chemical agents were trapped inside the crystal.
A diamond is considered pure if no defects are found with a 10x magnification lens.
Any minor defects in the Diamond that Gemologists define as "internal characteristics", if not visible to the naked eye, do not in any way alter the beauty and brilliance of the Diamond. In any case, they have a decisive influence on the stone's value based on the different gradations codified by GIA.
Each Diamond is undoubtedly unique, even if not perfect, precisely considering the natural environment where it was formed.
Diamond Clarity Characteristic
Many confused and erroneous ideas about the purity of Diamonds are disclosed, including the belief that it is advisable to purchase a high purity diamond to avoid seeing imperfections with the naked eye. In truth, awell-cut diamond manages to hide every slight imperfection with its brilliance. Obviously, the fewer imperfections there will be inside the stone, the more the diamond will release its beautiful characteristics.
Here are some tips to start your knowledge of Diamonds.
Diamond Clarity: General Information
The commercial term used “Eye Clean” refers to Diamonds that may have inclusions or spots that are too small to be seen with the naked eye.
An excellent approach to starting research is to maximize your budget starting from the VVS or VS purity categories because both do not highlight visible defects.
If you buy a 1 carat or higher diamond, you must consider that some types of cut, such as the emerald or Asscher cut, favor the visibility of those minor clarity defects within the stone. On the other hand, the inclusions on the Brilliant cut are much less influential because they are less visible, thanks to the quality of its 57/58 facets.
The gradation of the clarity of a Diamond heavily affects the price. Therefore, a significant consideration to make when buying!
GIA Diamond Clarity Grades
What is GIA Diamond Clarity Grades?
In 1953, the Gemological Institute of America established the graduation scale of the purity of diamonds. The GIA diamond grading scale is divided into 6 categories and 11 diamond clarity grades, as reported below:
Diamond Clarity Grades
Flawless Diamond (FL)
The Diamond does not show any internal inclusions or external blemishes when using a 10x magnification lens.
Flawless Diamonds are very rare.
A Flawless Diamond represents a miracle of nature of pure Carbon without contamination, considering that the crystal was formed in the depths of the earth.
Internally Flawless Diamond (IF)
IF-graded diamonds can only have minimal surface features that can detect under a microscope.
IF classified diamonds have no internal characteristics or inclusions.
Internal characteristics not detectable by eye examination.
VVS1, VVS2 Very Very Slightly Included Diamond (VVS)
VVS Diamonds can have tiny internal inclusions that are hardly detectable by the lens at 10x magnification even by an expert.
VVS Diamonds are rare, and on eye examination, they are in no way affected in their beauty.
Any surface characteristics are difficult to detect even with a 10x magnification lens by an expert.
VS1, VS2 Very Slightly Included Diamond (VS)
VS1 / 2 Diamonds have slightly more visible internal characteristics than the superior category, even if the detection can only be seen by an expert with a 10x magnification lens.
VS1 / 2 Diamonds are considered by Torrini to be the most popular and the most affordable.
SI2, SI1 Slightly Included Diamond (SI)
SI1 / 2 Diamonds have inclusions and internal or external characteristics easily detectable by the 10X magnification lens.
If the SI1 / 2 diamonds keep a good brilliance to the naked eye, they are often the ones with the best value.
SI1 / 2 Diamonds may have inclusions visible to the naked eye, especially when viewed from the side.
I1, I2, I3 Included Diamond (I)
I1 / I2 / I3 diamonds have internal features visible to the naked eye and affect the stone's brilliance.
Torrini does not sell Category I Diamonds.
The 4 Diamond Clarity factors
Size
If the characteristic is very evident, it negatively affects the degree of purity.
Number
Refers to the number of easily visible features. The fewer observable characteristics there are, the higher the degree of purity.
Position
If an internal feature of the Diamond is located under the table or near the pavilion, it can affect the refraction. Therefore it can create a more evident impact on the degree of purity of the Diamond.
Nature
The Diamond crystal may have formed naturally with inclusions. The nature of a diamond feature is related to the type of inclusion and its impact on durability.
Diamond Clarity FAQ's
Why VVS Diamonds And VS Diamonds Are The Best Value
Remember that a Flawless (FL) or Internally Flawless (IF) Diamond belongs to the highest quality ever. The consequence of being extremely rare and therefore very expensive at the time of purchase. To escape from a too high evaluation, you should consider selecting a diamond with some inclusions that are not visible such as a VVS or VS purity.
Sometimes lowering the cost does not alter the beauty, luster, and brilliance of the diamond.
Diamond Clarity/Shape
Some shapes or cuts of Diamonds require a higher purity than others. For example, the emerald cut or the Asscher cut requires a higher purity precisely because you can better see the possible presence of internal characteristics through the sparse stepped facets.
For these cuts, you must choose a higher grade of diamond such as IF or VVS to ensure that the internal inclusions are not seen with the naked eye.
Diamond Clarity/Size
Fancies Diamonds are measured on a separate color scale and have a higher value than colorless diamonds.
The Diamond Clarity in the Certificate
In the certificates issued by the GIA, diagrams express the mapping of any inclusions or internal characteristics present in a Diamond. They allow understanding if the interior features can have greater or lesser visibility to the naked eye.
For example, if the inclusions are positioned outside the diamond, they will be less visible than on the center of the stone.
Diamond's 4C - Quality factors
Discover the quality elements of the diamond
DIAMOND CLARITY
A diamond's clarity is a fundamental characteristic of its brilliance of the gem. In the purity scale, diamond impurities are classified from "Internally Flawless" to "Included" visible to the naked eye.
DIAMOND CUT
A diamond's cut is a very delicate operation entrusted to expert cutting masters. The diamond is cut in many forms, among the main ones: round, oval, square, heart, pear, and emerald cut.
DIAMOND CARAT
The carat represents the unit of weight adopted in the gem trade. Diamond is the gem with the highest specific weight. This aspect is reflected in the mass of the gem, which is heavier for the same size compared to all other precious stones.
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