This time I'm going to take a look at one of the "4 C's" of diamonds. For those that aren't aware, diamonds are graded in 4 main categories or groupings - cut, color, carat and clarity. Today I want to have a close look at the last one - clarity.
The range for grading clarity ranges from IF (the best) down to I3 (the worst). In total, there are 10 different categories that a diamond can be given.
Clarity refers to how many "inclusions" that are found in the diamond. In a nut-shell, inclusions are small blemishes or imperfections. They form naturally when the rock is forming in the earth and they can be found in nearly all diamonds.
When grading the diamond, a gemologist inspects the diamond under intense magnification in order to look at any inclusions that are in the stone. The grading is then submitted based on the number of inclusions, and as well how noticeable or big they are. Remember that the grading is given under intense magnification.
As an example, a diamond that is given an IF or flawless grading has no inclusions at all. This is incredibly rare, and as you can imagine, this type of diamond carries a huge bump in price.
A stone with a grading of VS2 will have "very slight" inclusions - these are only noticeable under a microscope and aren't typically noticeable with just the naked eye. These diamonds sell for a lot less that an IF graded diamond.
Make sure to understand the different ways diamonds are graded. Grab a diamond ring buying guide - you will be pleased you did in the end as you can save a lot of money on your purchase. It can be the difference between finding an affordable engagement ring instead of shelling out big bucks and putting a huge smile on your jewelers face.
