Engagement ring shopping is exciting but can also get confusing, specifically for those new to the jewelry store. The 4Cs are the main factors used when determining a price for diamonds, and clarity is one of these Cs. Not sure what diamond clarity is? This article will delve into the key things to know about it.
What Is Clarity?
Clarity is one of the 4Cs that experts use when grading diamonds and setting a price for the stone. This represents the inclusions and blemishes on the surface of the gem. Blemishes occur during the cutting process, while inclusions are natural and happen when the stone forms.
Often, you can’t see inclusions with the naked eye unless the clarity grade is very low; on diamond jewelry, you typically only see inclusions under 10x magnification. Despite this, clarity is important as it impacts the sparkle-power of your precious gem, and everyone loves a dazzling diamond.
What Are Clarity Rankings?
When evaluating diamonds, gemologists use a scale to grade clarity, as this is one of several characteristics that impact the price of the diamond. Below is a complete listing of these rankings of diamonds under magnification:
- FL: Gem is Flawless with no noticeable inclusions or blemishes.
- IF: Diamond is Internally Flawed and has slight blemishes under magnification.
- VVS1 and VVS2: There are Very, Very Slight inclusions.
- VS1 and VS2:Very Slight inclusions are easy for experts to spot.
- SI1 and SI2: Inclusions and blemishes are Slightly Included and easy to see.
- I1, I2, I3: Blemishes are Included and easily noticed with or without magnification.
Flawless is top-of-the-line, meaning the diamond has no visible blemishes under 10x magnification. Meanwhile, I3 is the lowest clarity score a diamond can receive, which signifies that inclusions are large enough to impact brilliance.
How Does It Impact Price?
As we explore what diamond clarity is, another key thing to know about is how this impacts price. After all, every buyer has a set budget for this precious piece of jewelry. The closer a diamond is to FL, the more expensive it often becomes because flawless diamonds are rarer.
Keep in mind that inclusions aren’t necessarily a bad thing, and most diamonds have them. Gemologists use inclusions and blemishes to identify stones. Moreover, experts such as The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) consider these diamond fingerprints since no two inclusions are identical.
Making Beauty Affordable
Buying a diamond with high rankings in one or serval of the 4Cs usually requires a larger budget. If purchasing a VVS1, IF, or FL gem is a priority to you, then you may need to sacrifice other aspects, such as carat size. Likewise, lab-grown diamonds allow you to purchase a diamond of a higher clarity grade without blowing your budget.
Visit a Professional Jeweler
Make an appointment at Windy City Diamonds if you want assistance evaluating your ring options as you prepare to propose. We have a wide selection of certified natural and lab-grown diamonds. Let us help you pick out the perfect engagement ring for your partner.