This time I want to have a look at one of the “4 C’s” of how diamonds are graded. For those that aren’t aware, diamonds are graded in 4 main categories - cut, color, carat and clarity. Let’s have a close look at the last one - clarity.
The clarity grading scale ranges from IF (the best) down to I3 (the worst). In total, there are ten grades that a diamond can fall into.
Clarity refers to the number of “inclusions” that are present in the stone. In a nut-shell, inclusions are small blemishes or imperfections. They occur naturally when the rock is forming in the earth and they can be found in almost all diamonds.
When grading the diamond, a gemologist inspects the diamond under magnification to look at any inclusions that are present. The grading is then decided on the number of inclusions, and also how noticeable or large they are.
As an example, a diamond that has an IF grading has no inclusions whatsoever. This is incredibly rare, and understandably, this type of diamond carries a huge price premium attached to it.
A diamond graded VS2 will have “very slight” inclusions - these will only be noticeable when viewed under a microscope and aren’t noticeable with your naked eye. These diamonds are priced for a lot less that an IF graded diamond.
It’s important to understand the different ways diamonds are graded. Pick up a diamond ring buying guide - you will be pleased you did in the end and will make it possible to save a lot of money on your purchase. Just a little education will be the difference in finding an affordable engagement ring instead of shelling out big bucks and filling your jeweler’s bank account.