Clarity is one of the four primary characteristics of a diamond, and it is possible that it will have a significant impact on the appearance of your stone. But how significant is a diamond’s clarity, especially when weighed against a stone’s color and how it was cut? Continue reading to discover where the answers are hidden.
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What Affects The Appearance Of Diamond Clarity?
A diamond’s clarity (the absence of inclusions and other internal flaws) is an important criterion for determining the value of the stone (external flaws).
Diamond clarity is graded on the following scale by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA):
- FL (Flawless) – Under a magnification of ten times, there are no visible inclusions or blemishes.
- IF (Internally Flawless) – no inclusions visible under 10x magnification.
- VVS1, VVS2 (Very Very Slightly Included – inclusions that are almost undetectable but can be seen with a gemological microscope due to their very small size.
- VS1, VS2 (Very Slightly Included) – a few minute inclusions can be seen under 10x magnification with some effort.
- SI1 and SI2 (Slightly Included) – under a magnification of ten times, inclusions are readily apparent.
- I1, I2 and I3 (Included) – visible inclusions that are readily apparent to the naked eye.
The clarity of a diamond has a significant influence on both its appearance and its value. Because a diamond appears cleaner and more light is able to pass through it when it has fewer inclusions and blemishes, the stone is able to display the maximum amount of sparkle possible. On the other hand, the appearance of a diamond becomes less brilliant as its number of inclusions increases. The flaws that are present in a stone that is heavily included diminish its overall appearance and prevent any light from entering the diamond that otherwise would have done so. In other words, even if the cut grade is excellent, diamonds with certain types of flaws do not sparkle as brightly as other diamonds of the same cut grade.
How Important Is It That A Diamond Be Clear?
The diamond clarity grade known as FL, or Flawless, is the highest possible grade. Under 10x magnification, such stones do not have any visible inclusions or blemishes; however, not only are they extremely rare, but they are also extremely expensive.
Because stones with lower clarity grades can still look clean to the naked eye and do not ruin the appearance, it does not make sense to overpay for a high-clarity diamond in the majority of situations. Any diamond the inclusions of which are not visible to the naked eye is considered to be a good choice as a general rule. When you reach a certain grade, any additional improvement in clarity after that point is not going to make a whole lot of sense.
Because diamonds with lower clarity grades typically have inclusions that can be seen, a diamond with a grade of VS2 or SI1 might be the best option for you. It is important to note that even eye-clean diamonds may have inclusions that are visible through magnification; however, you should not be concerned about these inclusions because no one will be examining your stone through a loupe.
How Important Is Clarity Related To Color And Cut?
The clarity of a diamond is an important characteristic, but the quality of the cut has a much greater influence on the appearance of the stone. Since the purpose of a diamond cut is to maximize the brilliance and sparkle of a stone, having a cut that is as close as possible to the ideal proportions is preferable.
The color of a diamond is yet another significant characteristic. Even though it is not as important as the quality of the cut of a stone, if a diamond has too much tint on it, it will have a duller and more yellowish appearance.
Verify that the stone you are looking at does not have any visible inclusions before making your decision about which diamond to purchase based on its clarity, color, and cut. You may choose to concentrate on stones that have a VS2 or SI1 clarity grade. Next, select a color grade in which diamonds appear to be a near-perfect shade of white. The majority of the time, stones with color grades of G or H do not have any discernible tint. Because the color of the metal will blend with the tint of the stone and make it less visible, you can go for grades as low as I, J, or even K if the stone is going to be set in yellow or rose gold. This is because the color of the metal will blend with the tint of the stone.
And finally, but certainly not least, pick the quality of the cut you want. The perfect cut will give you the maximum amount of brilliance while also improving the appearance of poor color and clarity. On the other hand, a poor cut can make your diamond appear less attractive even if all of its other characteristics are satisfactory.
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