Diamond Clarity

Platinum, Princess-Cut, Diamond
4-Prong Stud Earrings
(1 cttw, G-H Color, VS2 Clarity)

Clarity is one of the "four Cs" used to grade and price diamonds, the others being Carat, Colour and Cut. When you buy a diamond the amount you pay will depend on all four of these factors.

An ideal diamond will be a perfect crystal with no flaws. In reality such diamonds are extremely rare. Most diamonds contain at least some degree of inclusion - non-crystalised carbon or other foreign material. These inclusions reduce the stone's clarity and if large can interfere with its dispersion and hence its brilliance - which means a less valuable stone. Clarity can also be affected by surface defects and blemishes.

The Gemstone Institute of America (GIA) has produced a standard scale for grading and rating diamond clarity. This divides stones into six categories then subdivides these categories to end up with a chart of eleven different grades. The categories and their grades are:

Category	Grades
Flawless	FL
Internally Flawless	IF
Very Very Slightly Included	VVS1,VVS2
Very Slightly Included	VS1,VS2
Slightly Included	S1,S2
Included	I1, I2, I3

As you would expect, the less inclusions and flaws on a diamond then (if the other "C"s ae all equal) then the more it will cost to buy.

Note that many inclusions are not visible to the naked eye but only appear under magnification (a factor of 10x is the usual standard). Just because your diamond looks perfect to you doesn't necessarily mean it's Flawless.