Clarity of a diamond is one of the major components of 4Cs of diamond grading, where the 4C's are Color, Clarity, Cut and Carat. Diamond clarity is a measure of the number of impurities or foreign particles present in a diamond. Clarity of a diamond refers to the smoothness and the quality of the diamonds pertaining to the following two terms; inclusions and blemishes.
Inclusions - it refers to the external appearance of the diamond, internal characters and its very existence. Slight imperfections are common in any diamond like feather crack, tiny dark dots etc.
Blemishes - It refers to the surface defect which affects the quality of a diamond at various levels. The diamonds are graded based on the impurities present and are being magnified at 10x power.
The Gemological Institute of America has established standards, which is divided into six different categories, for the purpose of grading the clarity of a diamond.1. Flawless (FL) - the diamond free of flaws, blemishes and inclusions2. Internally flawless (IF) - A naturally perfect diamond with no internal inclusions visible at 10x magnification but with trivial surface blemishes.3. Very, very slightly included (VVS) - Small and tiny flaws which is difficult to view under a skilled 10x magnifier. It has two grades VVS1 and VVS 2 in which the former is of higher grade when compared to the latter.4. Very slightly included (VS) - The minor inclusions in such diamonds are easily identified under trained grader but difficult to identify with a 10x magnifier. The inclusions can't be viewed without magnification. It is of grades namely VS1 and VS 2 Wherein VS 1 is of higher grade when compared to VS 2 and the inclusions are visible in VS 2, many a time.5. Slightly included (SI) - The inclusions in this type are prominent when viewed in a trained grader and also can be seen when magnified to 10x power. Rarely, the inclusions are visible to naked eyes.6. Included (I) - The inclusions in this type of a diamond will affect the strength, structure and durability of the diamond. The inclusions can be seen clearly with naked eyes, 10x magnifier and more prominent in a skilled grader.
Clarity enhancement techniques
Clarity enhancement techniques are used to cover or clear the flaws in diamonds to a certain extent. The drawback (for the buyer) is that the diamond, after such treatments appears to have more clarity than what is actually is worth. There are two most popular diamond clarity enhancement methods viz.,
1. Diamond laser treatment
This technique is used to remove the blemishes in the diamond. The treatments are permanent and an experienced diamond jeweler can view the traces of laser treatment.2. Diamond fracture filling
This treatment is employed to fill the cracked areas of the diamond with a colorless material. It is a less cost intensive technique.
Inclusions - it refers to the external appearance of the diamond, internal characters and its very existence. Slight imperfections are common in any diamond like feather crack, tiny dark dots etc.
Blemishes - It refers to the surface defect which affects the quality of a diamond at various levels. The diamonds are graded based on the impurities present and are being magnified at 10x power.
The Gemological Institute of America has established standards, which is divided into six different categories, for the purpose of grading the clarity of a diamond.1. Flawless (FL) - the diamond free of flaws, blemishes and inclusions2. Internally flawless (IF) - A naturally perfect diamond with no internal inclusions visible at 10x magnification but with trivial surface blemishes.3. Very, very slightly included (VVS) - Small and tiny flaws which is difficult to view under a skilled 10x magnifier. It has two grades VVS1 and VVS 2 in which the former is of higher grade when compared to the latter.4. Very slightly included (VS) - The minor inclusions in such diamonds are easily identified under trained grader but difficult to identify with a 10x magnifier. The inclusions can't be viewed without magnification. It is of grades namely VS1 and VS 2 Wherein VS 1 is of higher grade when compared to VS 2 and the inclusions are visible in VS 2, many a time.5. Slightly included (SI) - The inclusions in this type are prominent when viewed in a trained grader and also can be seen when magnified to 10x power. Rarely, the inclusions are visible to naked eyes.6. Included (I) - The inclusions in this type of a diamond will affect the strength, structure and durability of the diamond. The inclusions can be seen clearly with naked eyes, 10x magnifier and more prominent in a skilled grader.
Clarity enhancement techniques
Clarity enhancement techniques are used to cover or clear the flaws in diamonds to a certain extent. The drawback (for the buyer) is that the diamond, after such treatments appears to have more clarity than what is actually is worth. There are two most popular diamond clarity enhancement methods viz.,
1. Diamond laser treatment
This technique is used to remove the blemishes in the diamond. The treatments are permanent and an experienced diamond jeweler can view the traces of laser treatment.2. Diamond fracture filling
This treatment is employed to fill the cracked areas of the diamond with a colorless material. It is a less cost intensive technique.