Guide  ·  Cut ·  Color ·  Carat Weight

DIAMOND CLARITY
Most diamonds have unique clarity characteristics, much like a fingerprint. These distinguishing characteristics can be classified as inclusions and blemishes. Inclusions are enclosed within a diamond, or they extend into the diamond from its surface. Blemishes are confined to the diamond's surface. These characteristics can detract from the pure beauty of the diamond. When light enters a diamond, it is reflected and refracted out. If there is anything disrupting the flow of light in the diamond, such as an inclusion, a proportion of the light reflected may be lost.

GIA and AGS Clarity Grade Scale

The table below provides an explanation of the clarity grades and demonstrates the effect that clarity has on diamond pricing, assuming carat, cut and color remain the same. The sample images shown depict how a flaw (inclusion or blemish) may appear under 10X magnification.
As illustrated above, you may not notice a significant difference between an SI1 and a SI2. However, you should consider the number, size, brightness, nature, and position of the inclusions of an SI2 graded diamond to ensure that it is eye clean. Some inclusions can be hidden by a prong when mounted, thus having little effect on the beauty of a diamond. An inclusion in the middle or top of a diamond, however, could impact the dispersion of light, sometimes making the diamond less brilliant.

Guide  ·  Cut ·  Color ·  Carat Weight