DIAMOND CLARITY
WHAT IS DIAMONDS CLARITY?
WHAT EFFECTS DIAMOND CLARITY?
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.
DIAMOND CARAT WEIGHT
BACK TO DIAMOND EDUCATION
THE 4Cs OF DIAMONDS