Diamond clarity is the measure of flaws found in and on the outside of a diamond. The less flawed a diamond is, the more value it has and the higher the price tag. There are very few diamonds which can be categorized as having no flaws at all, however, most diamond flaws cannot be seen without magnification of at least 10 times. Because issues with diamond clarity are often undetected when looking at a diamond, some people consider this to be one of the least of their concerns when selecting a diamond to purchase.
How is Diamond Clarity Determined?
The most well known measurement of diamond clarity is done by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). It ranks diamonds based on a grading system it created that ranges from flawless diamonds, to imperfect diamonds, with many different grade ranges in between. The better the clarity ranking, the more expensive a diamond will sell for as it has more value.
Types of Inclusions that Effect Diamond Clarity
Inclusions are flaws that effect diamond clarity. They make it so that the diamond is not “perfect”, and there are visual imperfections within the gemstone. Most flaws however, are un-noticeable to the naked eye and can only be seen under high levels of magnification.
There are names for many of the most common inclusions. Carbons effect diamond clarity because they are very small black dots found on the surface of a diamond, which may or may not be visible in regular lighting. Some may be so small that you need magnification to view them. Pinpoints effect diamond clarity because they are white dots along the surface of a diamond. Pinpoints are the most common of all diamond flaws. Clouds effect diamond clarity because they cause what look to be cloudy areas within the gemstone. The clouds are actually made up of many growths of crystals that are positioned very close together within the diamond, and their proximity to one another is what causes the cloudiness to appear. Feathers effect diamond clarity by causing cracks to form within the diamond, that look similar to that of broken glass.
Clarity Enhancements
Diamond clarity flaws can often be fixed or reduced by using a variety of clarity enhancement treatments. Some diamonds are painted, some get lasered in order to remove pinpoints and carbons, and some diamonds undergo a process by which tiny holes are drilled into the diamond in order to reach areas of inclusions within the gemstone, and then the cracks are later filled with molten glass. Having enhancements done to improve diamond clarity decreases the overall value of the diamond, but can improve it's appearance. Diamond certificates should indicate that enhancements were done on the diamond, so ask to see documentation before making a purchase. While most enhancements just cause the diamond to look nicer, some may actually cause the diamond to be weaker, and more prone to breakage than a diamond that has not had any treatments.
Diamond clarity is not as simple as how clear a diamond may look. Clarity refers to the flaws and inclusions in a stone and how they affect the light flow. The majority of gemstones are not perfect and will have flaws both on the inside and outside of the gem. Many of these are not seen by the human eye, and only show up with special magnification. How important this is to the normal purchaser is a personal issue.
What types of clarity will be determined?
If clarity is very important to the purchaser, or if the diamond is bought as an investment, then it is advisable to have the clarity determined by an outside source with nothing to gain from their findings. This can also be helpful if the gemstone is quite expensive and there is a need to insure it. Having a bona fide source rate the diamond could be of great benefit if there were to be a loss or theft.
Visual imperfections can impact diamond clarity, and therefore the value of the gemstone. For many people these may not be important, as long as they are not visible to the human eye, but as an investment, inclusions and flaws could have great impact.
In some cases, carbons can affect the clarity by appearing as small dark dots that can be found on the surface of a diamond. In many cases they will not be visible without magnification. One of the most commonly seen flaws in diamonds are pinpoints which appear on the surface of the stone and create a cloudy appearance. These are usually growths of crystals that are positioned closely together to create this cloudy appearance.
Enhancements
Many diamond clarity flaws are commonly repaired or at least minimized by the practice of enhancement treatments. This is a common practice within the gem industry and actually makes many gemstones more affordable and within the reach of most budgets.
Some diamonds are painted, and others are lasered to remove pinpoints and carbons, and yet others are drilled in order to reach small holes which are later filled. This can decrease the value , but at the same time, it may also improve it's appearance.
Diamond certificates from bona fide agencies can be valuable in providing information about enhancements, as well as all the identifying characteristics of a specific stone.
The importance of diamond clarity
How important diamond clarity is will depend on the buyer. If you are purchasing a diamond for a sentimental token as an engagement ring, and as long as it isn't extremely costly, you may only care how the diamond looks to the human eye. However, if the diamond is quite costly or bought as an investment, the clarity can be of extreme importance.
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