Clarity

Nature fingerprinted virtually all diamonds with natural internal characteristics called inclusions. The size, nature, quantity and location of inclusions determine a diamond's clarity grade and affect its rarity and value. The better the diamond's clarity, the more rare and valuable it is. Diamonds are graded with a 10x magnification loupe. There are several grades of clarity. Ones with eye visible inclusions and ones with no eye visible inclusions. Diamonds that show eye visible inclusions are I Clarity, either I1, I2 or I3. I1 diamonds have one or two very tiny visible inclusions. I2 have more and I3 diamonds are heavily included. Those that are completely eye clean are most desirable. SI2 and better diamonds are completely Eye Clean. SI2 and better diamonds require a 10x loupe to see the difference. An SI2 will look exactly like an IF to the naked eye. Flawless "FL" and Internally Flawless "IF" are the rarest and most expensive diamonds. The next grade is VVS1 and VVS2. this stands for "Very Very Small" inclusions. Then Very Small inclusions, VS1 and VS2 and finally Small Inclusions SI1, SI2 and SI3.



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