Duncan Chittick <p>Diamonds are very rarely completely flawless. Most diamonds contain internal features which are known as inclusions. Diamonds can also have blemishes or surface imperfections. It is these inclusions and blemishes that determine the clarity of each individual stone.</p> <p>The clarity of a diamond as well as its colour, the quality of the cut and the carat weight will directly affect its rarity and value. Generally speaking, the clearer the diamond, the rarer and more valuable it will be.</p> <p>No two diamonds ever have exactly the same inclusions or other clarity characteristics. This inclusion ‘fingerprint’ enables the specific identification of individual diamonds. Scientists have also been using inclusions to determine how diamonds are formed.</p> <p>Inclusions can sometimes be removed from diamonds, providing they are close to the surface. However this does involve re-cutting the diamond which will reduce its overall carat weight. Blemishes such as surface scratches, however, can generally be removed by jewellers without affecting the stone’s value.</p> <p>Remember that flawless diamonds are extremely rare. It is quite possible to spend a whole lifetime working with diamonds without ever coming across a completely flawless stone.</p> <p><img src='http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0032/0412/files/clarity_chart_v3.png?1243939140' alt='' /></p> <p><strong>Flawless (FL)</strong> <br /> A Flawless diamond shows no blemishes or inclusions under 10 x magnification.</p> <p><strong>Internally Flawless (IF)</strong> <br /> To reach this classification, a diamond must have no inclusions under 10 x magnification but may have some minor blemishes like surface grain lines. A Lapidarist can sometimes remove these lines and repolish the diamond so that it becomes Flawless.</p> <p><strong>Very, Very Slightly Included (VVS1 and VVS2)</strong> <br /> These diamonds contain extremely tiny inclusions that are difficult to see under 10 x magnification. Usually the inclusions appear like pinpoints or tiny cavities.</p> <p><strong>Very Slightly Included (VS1 and VS2)</strong> <br /> These Diamonds contain minor inclusions that can be observed under 10 x magnification by experienced jewellers. An inexperienced eye would be very unlikely to spot them under this magnification. Normally VS Diamonds have small included crystals or small clouds.</p> <p><strong>Slightly Included (S11 and S12)</strong> <br /> Slightly included diamonds contain inclusions noticeable under 10 x magnification. Typically these inclusions are clouds, crystals, knots, cavities or feathers.</p> <p><strong>Included (I1, I2 and I3)</strong> <br /> In this category, inclusions are obvious under 10 x magnification. The diamonds may contain large feathers or large included crystals. Usually this kind of inclusion affects transparency and brilliance.</p> 2009-05-29T14:36:50+01:00 colour-and-clarity 3332632 2009-05-29T14:36:50+01:00 320412 2009-10-13T09:59:05+01:00 Diamonds are very rarely completely flawless. Most diamonds contain internal features which are known as inclusions. Diamonds can also have blemishes or surface imperfections. It is these inclusions and blemishes that determine the clarity of each individual stone. The clarity of a diamond as well as its colour, the quality of the cut and the carat weight will directly affect its rarity and value. Generally speaking, the clearer the diamond, the rarer and more valuable it will be. No two diamonds ever have exactly the same inclusions or other clarity characteristics. This inclusion ‘fingerprint’ enables the specific identification of individual diamonds. Scientists have also been using inclusions to determine how diamonds are formed. Inclusions can sometimes be removed from diamonds, providing they are close to the surface. However this does involve re-cutting the diamond which will reduce its overall carat weight. Blemishes such as surface scratches, however, can generally be removed by jewellers without affecting the stone’s value. Remember that flawless diamonds are extremely rare. It is quite possible to spend a whole lifetime working with diamonds without ever coming across a completely flawless stone. <img src='http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0032/0412/files/clarity_chart_v3.png?1243939140' alt='' /> *Flawless (FL)* A Flawless diamond shows no blemishes or inclusions under 10 x magnification. *Internally Flawless (IF)* To reach this classification, a diamond must have no inclusions under 10 x magnification but may have some minor blemishes like surface grain lines. A Lapidarist can sometimes remove these lines and repolish the diamond so that it becomes Flawless. *Very, Very Slightly Included (VVS1 and VVS2)* These diamonds contain extremely tiny inclusions that are difficult to see under 10 x magnification. Usually the inclusions appear like pinpoints or tiny cavities. *Very Slightly Included (VS1 and VS2)* These Diamonds contain minor inclusions that can be observed under 10 x magnification by experienced jewellers. An inexperienced eye would be very unlikely to spot them under this magnification. Normally VS Diamonds have small included crystals or small clouds. *Slightly Included (S11 and S12)* Slightly included diamonds contain inclusions noticeable under 10 x magnification. Typically these inclusions are clouds, crystals, knots, cavities or feathers. *Included (I1, I2 and I3)* In this category, inclusions are obvious under 10 x magnification. The diamonds may contain large feathers or large included crystals. Usually this kind of inclusion affects transparency and brilliance.