|
|
Making Diamond Clarity a Little Clearer...
Diamond clarity is one of the four major factors that influences the valuation of a diamond, along with
color, size (carats in weight) and the final cut. The fact that diamonds are naturally formed gems forged in great heat and under immense
pressures can lead to massive variations in the conditions of their creation. The unpredictable natural forces at work, and
the purity of the compacted carbon that provides the ingredients to form a diamond, all have an impact on the 'construction'
of the gem. Diamond clarity variations basically fall into two types - or 'Clarity
Characteristics' - which relate to whether the 'flaws' in a diamond are within the gem or on its surface.
|
What are the main diamond clarity characteristics?
Firstly, the diamond may contain small internal imperfections. These may be small
crystals of diamond that are not part of the main diamond but included in the body of
the diamond depending on how it is 'cut' from the original, natural stone. In general
craftsmen seek to cut the largest perfect stones they can - for high value. But many
stones that are used have some small imperfection; lower class diamonds may have
many of these small 'inclusions'. Some diamonds may have larger 'motes', marks,
crystals, small rifts or feathery effects inside them. Value is generally VERY much higher for the perfect
gem, and valuations reduce substantially as 'inclusions' increase.
A second type of clarity characteristic is surface imperfection. These may be small
natural marks, or may be grazes, scratches, or where a inclusion projects through the
surface of the gem.
A 'cheap' diamond may be so crowded with small crystal imperfections that it looks
almost 'cloudy' or full of 'crystal bubbles'. The imperfections can also be so small, or
few in number that to the untrained naked eye they are hard, or even virtually
impossible, to see. Once again a professional gemologist will use a loupe (small
professional magnifying glass) to scan the diamond carefully before pronouncing a
valuation.
See below a tabulation of the most widely recognized diamond clarity classifications, as determined by the
Gemological Institute of America, and now wmployed by Jewelers and Gemologists world-wide:
Diamond Clarity Grades (GIA)
DIAMOND
CLARITY
CODE |
DESCRIPTOR |
DEFINITION |
| FI |
FLAWLESS |
NO INCLUSIONS VISIBLE
|
| IF |
Internally Flawless |
No internal inclusions
May have slight surface blemishes |
| VVS1 & VVS2 |
Very Very Slightly included |
May have some exteremely small inclusions,
just perceptible but hard to see. |
| VS1 & VS2 |
Very Slightly Included |
Contains very small inclusions,
such as feathered marks, small crystals, etc.
Only visible with effort. |
| SI1 & SI2 |
Slightly Included |
Contains some inclusions
evident to the expert assessor
(e.g. Cloudiness/Crystals/Feathery marks, etc)
|
| I1, I2, I3 |
Included |
Contains obvious inclusions.
Clarity and brilliance (sparkle!)
may be adversely affected
(e.g. Larger marks; Larger crystal inclusions; Many small 'bubble' like inclusions |
IMPORTANT NOTE: All diamond clarity grade definitions relate to assessment at 10 times-magnification
and appraisal by an experienced gem grader. (Gemlogical qualifications and grading courses are run through the GIA)
In some respects imperfections, like inclusions, are helpful when assessing a gem.
You KNOW that a gem is truly natural if it has small imperfections. Also when
arranging a diamond insurance policy it is helpful to have a professional appraisal and
description of a gem that notes all small imperfections. For NO two diamonds in
nature will have the same inclusions, although they may have exactly similar cut,
colors and weight.
But it should be noted, by those new to the diamond market, that the grades from IF (Flawless) to VS2 (Very small
inclusions - grade 2) - could seem to the untrained eye almost indistinguishable. But the valuation difference, for
two stones of otherwise similar weight, color and cut, can be huge! The unwary buyer could easily find they have not
bought a stone of the quality they paid for, if they chance to buy from sources other than the most reutable dealers.
Flawless diamonds...Few and far-between!
It should be noted that truly FLAWESS diamond clarity is extremely rare. Some have
worked a lifetime in the Diamond Industry and NEVER ever seen a flawless diamond.
This means the value of such diamonds is very high! The vast majority of diamonds
have anything from a few to many clarity characteristics such as internal or surface
marks. The less, the more valuable...but remember to an untrained eye a diamond
may look perfect...the higher grades of clarity can only really be discerned by a
practiced and experienced eye of a gemological grading expert.
The GIA's system of grading clarity and the use of associated clarity codes (VVS1,
VS1, S1...etc) is now the most widely used, accepted and understood in the world.
The final value of a gem will rest not only on its clarity, but also its color, size (carat
weight) and the style and expertise with which it is cut and polished. Any certified
gem will carry a certificate of its qualities as assessed by a qualified gemlogist.
Sometimes external blemishes can be polished out, or a stone can even be slightly re-
cut to remove a blemish. If the carat weight remains virtually unaffected, such a
process will usually result in the gem's value increasing, sometimes substantially.
Don't forget to check out the other major influences on a diamond's value: Color; Carats; Cut.
|
