Clarity
Diamonds are truly a marvel of nature. Carbon crystallizes into the element diamond at a depth of approximately 60 kilometers within the Earth. The purity of a diamond describes how perfectly this process occurred. You may have heard the term "flawless" before. Flawless means that the crystal is free from inclusions when viewed under 10x magnification. Inclusions can be natural carbon residues or small cracks. For colorless diamonds, the clearer the diamond, the rarer and more expensive it is per carat.
Chart on Clarity
FL - Flawless
FL - Diamonds are internally and externally flawless.
IF - internally flawless
IF - Diamonds are internally flawless.
VVS1 und VVS2 - very very small inclusion
VVS - Diamonds (1 and 2) have very, very small inclusions.
VS1 und VS2 - very small inclusion
VS - Diamonds (1 and 2) have very small inclusions.
SI1 und SI2 - small inclusion
SI - Diamonds (1 and 2) have small inclusions.
P1 P2 P3 - piqué
P - Diamonds are considered imperfect. Inclusions are visible to the naked eye.
The 4 C
Carat
What means Carat?
Cut
What means Cut?
Clarity
What means Clarity?
Color
What means Color?
FAQ
What is meant by the clarity of a diamond? Inclusions are referred to as impurities in diamonds. These can include carbon residues that did not crystallize during the diamond formation process, as well as small cracks or bubbles. A diamond is considered flawless when it exhibits no inclusions internally or externally under 10x magnification.
Does my diamond have to be flawless? That is for you to decide. Flawless diamonds are rarer than those with slight inclusions. However, it can be said that inclusions in diamonds up to the VS clarity grade are not visible to the naked eye. If the cut is perfect, diamonds with slight inclusions can still exhibit excellent sparkle. Ultimately, it depends on your personal preference.
What are "Salt and Pepper" diamonds? "Salt and Pepper" diamonds are diamonds with numerous visible inclusions and impurities. In fact, these inclusions are intentionally made visible. They have a minimal to no sparkle and are appreciated for their unique external appearance.