Clarity

Inclusion Examples
Originally uploaded by chellefay1120.

Clarity is the second "C." There are two ways to determine clarity: blemishes and inclusions. Blemishes are abrasion, nicks, pits, scratches, etc. on the surface of the diamond. Inclusions are the spots located inside the diamond. The size, nature, location, and number of includsions affect the grade of the diamond. Three types of inclusions are called crystals (minerals trapped within the diamond), feathers (breaks inside the diamond), and clouds. De Beers shows examples of these inclusions (place the mouse over each diamond). Each diamond is graded for its clarity according to a scale devised by the American Gem Society. This scale ranges from 0-10, with 0 describing a flawless diamond (no presence of inclusions or blemishes). To determine the clarity, a microscope must be used, as the blemishes and inclusions can be extremely minute. The more apparent and easier the blemishes and inclusions are to see with the microscope, or human eye, the lower the level of quality is for the diamond. Using the picture above (from the AGS website), it is easy to identify the different clarity grades. The first diamond is flawless and graded by the AGS as 0 (zero); this diamond is perfect because inclusions and blemishes are nonexistant. The second diamond has "very small inclusions" and is given a grade 3; the last diamond is labeled "small inclusions" with an AGS grade of 5. High-end jewlery stores will only accept diamonds which receive a specific grade quality. Check with the jeweler before purchasing the diamond. The inclusions are shown by the red dots. Tiffany's also has a cool interactive clarity grading scale, as does De Beers.