Clarity

A scale is used to figure out diamond clarity. The scale goes from flawless to Included #3 with flawless being the best clarity level of a diamond. Included #3 is the worst level of clarity for a diamond and is highly undesirable. If a beautiful diamond is on the menu, there are plenty of diamonds that rank at a decent level on the clarity scale that will not be too costly.

Flawless clarity is assigned to diamonds that do not have inclusions or blemishes. Flawless diamonds are quite frankly, flawless. Internally flawless diamonds are the second best thing to flawless diamonds. These diamonds have no inclusions when they are viewed at 10x magnification. However, eventually as the magnification rises blemishes and inclusion can be seen.


WS1 is the next level of clarity and is refers to Slightly Included #2 diamonds. These diamonds have inclusions and blemishes but even under 10x magnification they are hard to spot. WS2 is the next level of clarity and means that there are inclusions and blemishes that are hard to see with 10x magnification but the imperfections are easier to see in these diamonds than in WS2 diamonds.

A Very Slightly Included #1 diamond is one that has small inclusions and blemishes that are hard to spot with the naked eyes but they can be seen when 10 x magnifications is used. By the time the clarity level gets to VS#2 the inclusions and blemishes are easier to see when they are magnified. SI1 clarity is where the diamonds begin to get much less valuable. This is the stage where the diamonds begin to show inclusions and blemishes that can be seen without much effort.

SI2 is the level of clarity where inclusions and blemishes are easy to see when magnified. An Included #1 diamond is one that has blemishes and inclusions that can be seen easily without magnification. An Included #2 is one that has inclusions and blemishes that anyone can see with no problem.

It is also important to be aware that there are diamonds that have been enhanced to improve their clarity. These diamonds are not highly desirable because the enhancements may not be permanent. The two types of clarity enhancement are laser drilling and fracture filling.

Fracture filling takes inclusions out but it may not last. It is not a good idea to buy fracture filling enhanced diamonds. The other clarity enhancing method is laser drilling. Laser drilling fixes inclusions and blemishes through putting holes in the diamond. Jewelry stores and diamonds sellers are required to disclose that diamonds are enhanced.