Diamond Clarity : Four Cs Guide to Diamonds
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Clarity of A Diamond
The term “clarity” refers to the number of defects or inclusions in a particular diamond. Inclusions are tiny cracks, foreign materials, scratches, air bubbles, and/or other imperfections in diamonds that cause the gemstone to appear “less clear”. Luckily, most inclusions that are present in fine diamonds do not affect the inherit structure of the gemstone. However, large inclusions can create a cloudy effect that blocks the ability for a cut diamond to transmit light. In addition, larger cracks that lay close to the diamond’s surface may actually decrease the stability of the otherwise strong diamond. Thus, it is extremely important that you deal with a reputable online dealer that will disclose all pertinent information about the diamond to you.
Of course, there are a number of factors that can affect the degree of clarity in any one diamond. Some of the features that can affect a diamond’s clarity include the number, color, size, and orientation of specific inclusions that are present in the diamond itself. Due to these factors, there is a widely recognized system that measures the prominence of these diamond inclusions. This system, developed by the Gemological Institute of America or GIA, is based on the ability of a professional to determine the number of inclusions that are visible in a diamond when it is viewed under an apparatus with 10X magnification. The system’s ratings can range from “Imperfect 3” for severely included diamonds, to “Very Slightly Included” for diamonds with inclusions that are invisible to the naked eye, to “Flawless” or “Internally Flawless” diamonds … no explanation required.
Like diamonds with higher carat ratings though, diamonds with higher clarity ratings are quite rare. As such, diamonds with these higher clarity ratings are much more expensive than diamonds with a greater number of inclusions. It is also important to keep in mind that although diamonds with the fewest inclusions are the most sought after, the mere presence of these inclusions also provides proof of the authenticity of the diamond in question.
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