Diamond Buying and the 4 Cs, Part 4: Assessing Diamond Clarity
by Admin
Posted on 06-10-2022 03:33 PM
Confused about diamond clarity? don't worry. First-
time
buyers may find assessing diamond clarity challenging. Inclusions, tiny crystals and other features within gemstones, may be difficult to see and identify.
In fact, some inclusions may add interest or have no impact on value. Meanwhile, others may negatively affect not only a diamond’s optical performance but also its structural integrity. With so many factors, it's essential to learn more to avoid buying the wrong diamond for your engagement ring. We’ll introduce you to our diamond clarity chart, which contains information on clarity terminology and explains how professionals grade clarity. We’ll also bring together all the four cs of gem grading — carat, color, cut, and clarity — and recommend combinations that work well.
Diamond Clarity Chart and Grades
I worked in the diamond
business
for 6+ years. If you gave me a diamond with a vvs2 clarity grade, it might take me a few minutes with a 10x powered loupe to find the actual pinpoint of an imperfection that is the “very very small inclusion. ”i could find a vs1 in less time, but it’s only marginally larger than a vvs2.
Vs2s clarity grade inclusions can be spotted right away with a 10x powered loupe but are usually invisible to the naked eye. When you reach si1 and si2 diamond clarity scale grades, however, you begin to find a much higher concentration of diamonds with eye visible inclusions.
Diamond clarity is a qualitative metric that evaluates the visual appearance of each precious stone. The fewer inclusions and blemishes a gem has, the better its clarity grading will be. A diamond clarity chart is merely a chart that accurately depicts what grade of clarity your diamond is. Now, this definition may not mean much to you at first, but we’re going to take it apart and look at all the individual parts of it – and ensure that you understand it better. First of all, diamond clarity is a qualitative metric that measures quality on a particular scale, like with all other qualitatively measurable things.
Overall clarity determinations are balanced between the diamond’s appearance face up in the loupe, the microscope at 10x, and eye visibility. Higher power is used to identify inclusions that are otherwise difficult to determine at 10x, which can often include vvs inclusions, however, the final grade is always determined at 10x, in four directions. Factors that graders consider when determining a clarity grade include the size, nature, number, location, and relief of the inclusions. A diamond receives multiple opinions on the clarity grades it receives, so there is a consensus among expert graders as to what the appropriate grade should be.
Vs-clarity diamonds are popular for a reason: they are some of the most affordable stones with no visible inclusions. Let’s take a closer look at what vs clarity is and how it compares with other clarity grades.
Clarity and Diamond Buying
High-clarity diamonds appreciate in value – diamonds with a grade of vvs2 or higher are more likely to appreciate in value, whereas diamonds with lower grade clarity (lower than vvs2, often called fashion jewelry), usually do not gain value over time, but they are still fun and look great! don’t make clarity too important – in actuality, it is nearly impossible to tell the difference between a flawless, a internally flawless, and a very very slightly included diamond with the naked eye. It’s often even difficult for the professionals to tell the difference under magnification! as such, we wouldn’t advise buying a diamond solely on the fact that it’s been given a “flawless” clarity grade, unless it is a larger diamond, you have the budget, and/or you want to invest in the diamond.
A diamond might have several small non-visible inclusions but still, get an si1 rating just because it has a high number of inclusions! on the other hand, you might find a vs2 with only one inclusion! but which of course won’t be recommended because of it being black dead center of the table facet of the stone! so you can’t just rely on the count/grade of the diamond inclusions to decide. In a nutshell, diamond clarity scale/grades are the results of the cumulative number and harshness of inclusions on the stone. This all comes down to our overall recommendation of buying online from a vendor like james allen ; where you can see the diamonds for yourself in 360 degrees and 20x magnification (they even introduced 40x magnification!)!.