Assessing Diamonds : Clarity Explained

There are some things that everyone should know before setting out to purchase a diamond. The most important things to know are the four Cs otherwise known as carats, cut, color and clarity. This article will focus on clarity to help you understand how to best assess this characteristic. You dont have to be a gemologist to make a good diamond purchase but a little knowledge can be quite helpful. Ask your jeweler about any questions that you may have.

Despite popular belief, there are only a select few diamonds that are perfect and you should never expect each diamond you look at to be a perfect in all categories. Each diamond will have its blemishes and inclusions but there are some nice looking diamonds available. There are some clarity characteristics that can be seen without using a magnifying glass and others that you need a magnifying glass to see. These imperfections as well as clarity issues are rated for each diamond.

Diamond graders typically use a scale evaluate diamond clarity. The highest rating is a FL which is flawless. There are lower portions that range from I1-I3. The majority of diamonds fall in these categories. Most fall in the lower part of the categories and the higher the rating the more expensive the diamond is. Typically, you should at finding diamonds that are at a rating of SI or better. Any imperfections above this rating require a magnifying glass to be seen.

The best thing to do is make sure the diamond you choose has a great sparkle and is clean to the naked eye. If you are able to see dark or milky white areas then you should choose a different stone. If you want to get a closer look, your jeweler should have a loupe handy. Some jewelers will be able to show you specific things with the use of a gemscope a special microscope made for viewing diamonds and gemstones.

While there are other things to consider when purchasing a diamond, clarity is one of the most important. The truth is that most diamonds sold contain visible inclusions. To avoid this, stick with a minimum of SI clarity. Even though the inclusions may be seen at this rating they are usually hard to notice. Be prepared to pay a higher price for clearer diamonds. Find a combination of clarity and price that you are comfortable with for the diamond that is right for you.

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