Clarity of Diamonds
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The reason why diamonds are expensive is because they are so rare. When you look at a diamond, you may see some flecks of dirt inside the diamond. These are minerals that get trapped in the diamond as it is being formed over millions of years. The white inclusions that may look like mini feathers are natural fractures in the diamond structure. Needless to say, the cleaner the inside of the diamond looks, the rarer it is to find and so the value of such a diamond is much higher.
The clarity of a diamond is measured from flawless to heavily included on a scale established by the Gemmological Institute of America (GIA):
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FL – Flawless
Even under a jeweller’s loupe (10x magnification eye-glass) inclusions can not be seen. Matching flawless diamond earrings are extremely rare and so expect to pay a high price.
VVS I – Very Very Small Inclusions
Extremely small inclusions difficult to find, even if using a jeweller’s loupe. You may see this category expressed as VVSI1 or VVS2, where VVS1 is slightly cleaner than VVS2. Again, these are very rare to find.
VS I – Very Small Inclusions
These inclusions will be hard to spot with the naked eye; however, once you look under magnification, you will be able to spot inclusions that are affecting the diamond clarity. Available as VS1 and VS2.
SI – Small Inclusions
On stones weighing 0.25ct and above, inclusions affecting the clarity of a diamond can be seen to the eye. However, more often or not, these inclusions can be hidden by the metal claws that hold the diamond in place. SI1 or SI2 represent good value for diamond earrings without having to spend too much money. Unless you push your nose to the diamond, inclusions are hard to spot.
I – Inclusions
Often seen as I1, I2 and I3 these grades are used to describe diamonds that have inclusions visible to the eye. The inclusions can be various shapes, sizes and colours. Care should be taken when buying these diamonds to avoid disappointment! In the smaller diamond sizes (0.15ct and below) flaws will be less obvious as long as they are not dark in colour and do not look like crystals of sugar!
Diamonds are beautiful. Care should be taken not to fall in to the trap of searching for a particular quality combination. A quality diamond earring jeweller will be able to guide you to the best combination for your budget. As each diamond is unique, grades about the clarity of diamonds should only be used as a guide.
