Diamond Clarity - How Diamond Clarity Affects a Diamond's Value And Interactive Learning Tool

 Clarity

Nature ensures that each diamond is as individual as the person who wears it. Naturally occurring inclusions such as minerals or fractures are identifying characteristics created while diamonds are formed in the earth. Here at First People's Jewelers, we use magnification to view diamonds at 10x their actual size so these tiny inclusions are more easily seen. Inclusions are measured on a scale of perfection, known as clarity, which was established by GIA. The greater a diamond's clarity, the more rare and valuable it is. A diamond with an inclusion in the middle or top could impact the dispersion of light, making the diamond less brilliant.


Click below to view theses differences.
 
GIA Clarity Grades


Which Clarity Grade To Choose?
Completely flawless or internally flawless diamonds are very rare expensive. Most diamonds have tiny flaws or inclusions, known as nature's fingerprints, which occurred when the diamond crystal was formed millions of years ago. When inclusions do not interfere materially with the passage of light through the diamond, they don't affect its beauty. Few people can see any visible difference between diamonds graded Flawless to Slightly Included, F to SI. It's only when they reach the Imperfect grades, I1 to I3, that flaws are visible and even then it is sometimes difficult to see any imperfections without magnification. Even when inclusions are visible, they often can be concealed beneath a prong so that they don't show at all in the finished piece of jewelry.

It is also a good idea to balance the clarity grade of your diamond with the color. If you are looking at diamonds in the D-F color range, focus on clarity grades of VS2 or higher. Diamonds in the G-I color range combined with S1 clarity are excellent values.

See First Peoples Jewelers interactive tool for consumers to learn about diamond clarity. You will see actual up-close pictures of diamonds of different clarity grades.