Using A Diamond Clarity Guide To Understand The Quality Of A Diamond

Of the “Four Cs” of diamond buying (clarity, cut, color, and carat weight), consumers probably pay the least attention to clarity. Not because it doesn’t matter to them, but because the seemingly-complicated process of grading a diamond’s clarity is overwhelming.

After all, it takes an experienced jeweler or gemologist to find imperfections that are invisible to the naked eye. But anyone in the market for a diamond should consult a diamond clarity guide for assistance with making an informed purchasing decision.   

A diamond clarity guide will provide a diamond’s clarity rating, derived from a set of standards such as the Gemological Institute of America’s (GIA) International Diamond Grading System. The clarity rating is based on the presence of blemishes (outer flaws) and inclusions (inner flaws) in the diamond.

A rating of either FL (flawless) or IF (internally flawless) indicates that the diamond is perfect or nearly perfect, with no flaws visible to the eye or under a microscope. The remainder of the scale, according to diamond clarity guides, contains nine grades, ranging from very, very slightly included to included.  

Blemishes and inclusions can occur naturally in diamonds, or they may be a result of the mining or cutting process. An example of a blemish would be a scratch or a chip on the surface of the diamond. Air bubble or cracks within the diamond are examples of inclusions. (Note: A diamond clarity guide will refer to all flaws as inclusions, since this is the term used in grading them.) 

Buyers should look for a diamond clarity guide when considering a purchase, to help them make sense of the clarity rating system. Then they will be informed enough to know whether their choice is worth the money. Some flaws are visible to the eye, yet most of them are not. A sparkly diamond without blemishes on its surface might appear flawless, but the presence of imperfections that can only be found with a microscope determines the true value of the diamond. 

Many inexpensive diamonds have been enhanced or treated to hide flaws. On the surface, they appear not to have any imperfections. But a closer examination will reveal that the diamond could have been subjected to a process such as heating or lasering in order to eliminate any blemishes or inclusions.

Appearing perfect on the outside is not enough to make a diamond valuable. According to diamond clarity guides, enhancements usually lower the cost of a diamond and make it more attractive to the thrifty consumer. The actual value of such a diamond is greatly diminished, however, and diamond buying guides generally discourage the purchase of a treated diamond.