When it comes to purchasing a diamond, clarity is a crucial factor to consider. The clarity of a diamond refers to the absence (or presence) of internal characteristics, known as inclusions, as well as external imperfections, called blemishes. Understanding diamond clarity is essential in ensuring you make an informed decision and get the most value for your investment.
What is Diamond Clarity?
The Diamond Clarity Chart
- Flawless (FL): No inclusions or blemishes are visible to a trained eye under 10x magnification.
- Internally Flawless (IF): No inclusions are visible to a trained eye under 10x magnification, but there may be minor blemishes.
- Very, Very Slightly Included (VVS1 and VVS2): Inclusions are extremely difficult for a trained eye to see under 10x magnification.
- Very Slightly Included (VS1 and VS2): Inclusions are minor and range from difficult to somewhat easy for a trained eye to see under 10x magnification.
- Slightly Included (SI1 and SI2): Inclusions are noticeable to a trained eye under 10x magnification.
- Included (I1, I2, and I3): Inclusions are obvious under 10x magnification and may be visible to the naked eye.
How to read a Diamond Clarity Chart?
When examining a diamond clarity chart, it's essential to understand that the illustrations are simplified visual guides rather than exact representations. Think of it like comparing a subway map to an aerial photograph of a city - the chart provides a schematic overview but doesn't capture the diamond's true optical characteristics and three-dimensional nature.
Why is Diamond Clarity Important?
- Brilliance and Fire: Internally flawless diamonds allow more light to pass through, resulting in greater brilliance and fire, which is the colorful dispersion of light.
- Rarity and Value: Diamonds with higher clarity grades are rarer and, consequently, more valuable. The fewer the inclusions and blemishes, the more coveted the diamond.
- Durability: While inclusions and blemishes generally do not affect the structural integrity of a diamond, they can potentially weaken the stone and make it more susceptible to chipping or breaking under stress.
- Visual Appearance: Larger inclusions or blemishes can be visible to the naked eye, affecting the overall appearance and perceived quality of the diamond.
Created Forever Diamonds
Frequently Asked Questions
Like natural diamonds, lab grown diamonds also form inclusions during the growth process. Inclusions are a natural byproduct of diamond formation, whether the diamond is grown in a laboratory or found in the Earth's crust. However, the inclusion characteristics of lab-created diamonds are generally less complex and easier to manage compared to natural diamonds.
Inclusions are internal characteristics that occur within a diamond during its formation. They can take various forms, such as small crystals, feathers, clouds, or mineral deposits. Inclusions are graded based on their size, location, number, and overall impact on the diamond's appearance and performance.
Blemishes are external imperfections on the surface of a diamond, usually caused by the cutting and polishing processes. Examples of blemishes include scratches, nicks, chips, and polish lines. Blemishes are less impactful on a diamond's overall appearance and performance compared to inclusions.
The main difference between diamond clarity VVS1 and VVS2 is the number and visibility of inclusions. VVS1 diamonds have fewer and smaller inclusions that are more difficult to detect with the naked eye, making them appear more flawless. In comparison, VVS2 diamonds may have slightly more numerous or larger inclusions that are still very difficult to see, but not quite as clean in appearance as VVS1 stones. This pattern generally holds true across the clarity scale, where the higher numbered grades within each category (e.g. VS1 vs VS2, SI1 vs SI2) indicate incrementally fewer and less prominent inclusions.
We have chosen to offer mostly lab-created diamonds with VS1 / VS2 clarity or better to provide you with the best value proposition. By focusing on this clarity range, we are able to ensure exceptional quality and performance while being budget friendly. This allows you to enjoy the brilliance and fire of a high-quality diamond without the premium price tag.
Yes, we do offer a few styles with diamond clarity grades SI1/SI2, like some diamond stud earrings for example. However, most of our products are VS1 / VS2 or better.
On our Created Forever website, that’s easy. Just select “info”, which is right next to the product description tab on the product page and you will see the clarity of the diamond listed.
At this time, we do not offer the option to customize or select a different grade for our lab-created diamonds. But you can always reach out to us, or try to find a similar product (e.g. we offer lab diamond studs with different clarity grades).
