There are many features that influence the appearance of a diamond and one of them is clarity. Listed on the precious gemstone’s grading report, clarity is all about the blemishes and imperfections which occur naturally in the majority of these precious stones. However, it’s important to bear in mind there are many beautiful diamonds with flaws which are not visible to the naked eye, and do not really affect the overall appearance and the brilliance of the diamond.
How Important Is The Clarity Of A Diamond?
Out of the four Cs – colour, cut, carat and clarity – the latter is said to affect the appearance of the diamond the least. Flawless diamonds are classed as those existing without any natural inclusions or expected blemishes. Flawless diamonds are extremely rare and usually command a very high price.
Diamond clarity is assessed using the following grades:
- FL, IF – flawless, internally flawless. This grade implies that there are no imperfections. Such diamonds are very rare.
- VVS1, VVS2 – very, very slightly included. The imperfections of these diamonds can only be seen under a 10X magnification. The clarity of these stones is considered excellent.
- VS1, VS2 – very slightly included. Blemishes are not visible to the unaided eye. Diamonds that are awarded with this grade are less expensive compared to the VVS1 or VVS2 grades and can be a great choice if you are looking for a more affordable option.
- SI1, SI2 – Slightly included. The inclusions in these diamonds are discernible under a 10x magnification and may also be seen with the naked eye. This type of diamond offers good value.
- I1 – Included. These diamonds have blemishes which are more marked, and may be seen without any magnification.
These are the grades of diamonds available at La Vivion. Regardless of their clarity glade, each diamond is certified by the GIA and can become a beautiful sparkling addition to your bespoke jewellery.
Which Clarity Grade Should You Choose?
Here at La Vivion we suggest picking a diamond that has no blemishes which are visible to the naked eye when you view it from the top. If your budget will allow it, opt for a clarity grade between VVSI1 and SI2. Such diamonds offer you excellent value and are less expensive than the flawless (FL) or the internally flawless (IF) grade diamonds.
Often, diamonds that have received the slightly included (SI) grade have blemishes which are not visible to the unaided eye, making them perfect for creating stunning yet affordable bespoke jewellery. We would always advise that you choose the very best clarity grade that you can afford, however, this is not to say that slightly included diamonds should be disregarded. If you are unsure about which grade of diamond would suit your needs, contact us today and we will provide you with all the information you need about the visibility of inclusions.