01 - INCLUSIONS
Natural diamonds are the result of carbon exposed to tremendous heat and pressure deep in the earth. This process can result in a variety of internal characteristics called ‘inclusions.’ Many inclusions and blemishes are too tiny to be seen by anyone other than a trained diamond grader. This is why expert and accurate assessment of diamond clarity is extremely important.
FLAWLESS - FL
Flawless (FL): No inclusions and no blemishes are visible to a skilled grader using 10x magnification.
INTERNALLY FLAWLESS - IF
Internally Flawless (IF): No inclusions and only blemishes are visible to a skilled grader using 10x magnification.
VERY, VERY SLIGHTLY INCLUDED - VVS
Very, Very Slightly Included (VVS): Minute inclusions that range from extremely difficult to very difficult to see are
visible to a skilled grader using 10x magnification.
VERY SLIGHTLY INCLUDED - VS
Very Slightly Included (VS): Minor Inclusions that range from difficult to somewhat easy to see are visible to a
skilled grader using 10x magnification.
SLIGHTLY INCLUDED- SI
Slightly Included (SI): Noticeable inclusions that range from easy to very easy to see are visible to a skilled grader
using 10x magnification.
INCLUDED - I
Included (I): Obvious inclusions are visible to a skilled grader using 10x magnification and may affect transparency
and brilliance.
