Diamonds clarity is a measure of the characteristics of a polished diamond and has a major impact on value. The characteristics can be at the surface — blemishes and in the internal structure — inclusions. The clarity scale hyerarchically categorizes the severity of diamond characteristics.

The fewer clarity characteristics a stone has, the more rare and valuable it is. A diamond with the highest clarity grade is flawless (FL), which means it has no discernable (at 10x) blemishes or inclusions — a situation rarely encountered. Most diamonds have flaws determined by the natural conditions of creation.

On most grading reports blemishes and inclusions refer to the face-up and pavilion views of the stone. In general, blemishes are plotted in green, inclusions are plotted in red and extra facets and some naturals are plotted in black.

Blemishes

Include scratches, pits, and chips. Some blemishes occur during the cutting processes (most often at the girdle).

Abrasions

Very small notches on facet junctions or on the culet. Possible causes: wear or coming in contact with other diamonds.

Extra Facets

Small facets made with the purpose of removing imperfections. They are not part of the cutting style.

Attention! There are also Added Facets which are symmetrically added and are part of the cutting style.

Naturals

Part of the original crystal surface remaining on the polished stone, frequently in the area of the girdle.

Polish Lines and Marks

Tiny parallel lines or surface clouding left by irregular polishing / excessive heating during polishing.

Rough Girdle

A grainy girdle surface, with irregularities, usually caused by poor workmanship.

Surface Graining

Structural irregularities in crystal growth. They may appear as faint lines, causing nicked or wavy surfaces, sometimes cross facet junctions.

Inclusions

Diamonds abound at Jewelry Television™.Browse our wide selection of diamond rings today.

Can be air bubbles, cracks, and non-diamond minerals found in the diamond.

Bearding

Tiny feathers extending inward from a bruted girdle surface. Bruting is the process of rubbing two diamonds together to achieve the rounded shape of the diamond.

Cavities and Chips

large/deep openings, and small/shallow openings in the diamond's surface, respectively.

Clouds

Misty, hazy areas of many very small, usually crystalline, inclusions.

Feathers

Cleavages (there are 4 cleavage planes in diamond) or fractures (breaks along planes other than cleavage planes) often white and feathery in appearance.

Included Crystals

Mineral crystals contained inside a diamond (such as chrysolite or garnet)

Indented Naturals

Natural rough surfaces that penetrate the stone and may distort the girdle outline.

Internal Graining

Regions of irregular crystal growth that may appear as milky or colored lines or streaks, or may be reflective.

Laser Drill Holes

A tiny tube made by a laser. The surface opening may resemble a pit, while the tube usually resembles a needle.

Needles

Needle-shaped included crystals.

Pinpoints

Areas of dot-like inclusions.

Twinning Wisps

Cloudy areas produced by distorted crystal growth.

Flawless diamonds are the rarest, and arguably considered the most beautiful. A diamond does not have to be completely clean to be extremely attractive. Those diamonds with VVS and VS grades can be excellent choices. More affordable are those diamonds called by gemologists “eye-clean” — these are diamonds with no inclusions visible to the naked eye. These diamonds are SI or SI2.

Treatments to Improve the Diamonds Clarity

There are some treatments to improve the diamonds clarity, but it is good to know that not all enhancement techniques are permanent.

Laser Treatments

A laser is used to remove some types of inclusions. An experienced jeweler can usually see the trail left by the laser. Laser treatments are permanent.

Fracture Filling

Tiny cracks in a diamond are filled with a colorless substance. Fracture filling is not considered permanent.

Treatments make a diamond appear to be of a higher clarity than it truly is. Treated diamonds should cost less, so a trustworthy jeweler is the one who evaluates and discloses any type of treatment that has been performed.

Jewelry, Loose Gemstones, Diamonds and More – Jewelry Television™