Wedding Rings - Diamond Clarity

You are ready to take the "next big step" and buy that special someone a diamond engagement ring, but you don't know exactly what to look for in a diamond. The "four C's" related to a diamond's quality (and price) are the carat (weight), color, clarity and cut of the stone. Here we will provide you with an explanation of a diamond's clarity.

The clarity of a diamond refers to the amount of tiny inclusions (internal) or blemishes (external) a diamond has. Inclusions (or "flaws") range from bits of carbon (black spots) to slight cracks (white "feathers" within the stone). The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) established standardized clarity grades for the diamond trade. Here is a brief summary of these diamond clarity ratings:

• FL Flawless - the most rare and expensive of all clarity grades. No inclusion under magnification.
  
  
• IF Internally Flawless -no internal inclusions under magnification but maybe slight exterior irregularities.
  
  
• VVS1 Very, Very slightly included 1 - just one inclusion visible to trained eye under magnification.
  
  
• VVS2 Very, Very slightly included 2 - just a few inclusions visible to the trained eye under magnification.
  
  
• VS1 Very slightly included 1 - very small inclusion visible under magnification.
  
  
• VS2 Very slightly included 2 - very small inclusion visible under magnification.
  
  
• SI1 Slightly included 1 - one small inclusion visible under magnification.
  
  
• SI2 Slightly included 2 - several small inclusions visible under magnification.
  
  
• SI3 Slightly included 3 - inclusions may be visible to the naked eye of a professional.
  
  
• I1 Included 1 - flaws visible to the naked eye.
  
  
• I2 Included 2 - brilliance decreased by many flaws visible to the naked eye.
  
  
• I3 Included 3 - brilliance and structure of diamond damaged by many flaws clearly visible to the naked eye. Diamond more likely to crack or chip.

FL and IF diamonds are extremely rare making them too expensive for most diamond engagement rings. VVS stones are also not common and are priced at a premium. But, if you stay above a SI2, the minor imperfections of the diamond are not visible to the naked eye. Diamonds in the I1-I3 range should be reserved for jewelry that will not be viewed close-up. For example, these stones may be ok in a pair of earrings but not in your diamond engagement ring. If possible it is best to look at loose diamonds or look at the diamond outside of it's setting to see exactly what you are buying. Also, inquire of the jeweler to see if any clarity enhancement techniques have been used on the diamond. Current techniques are lasering to remove black inclusions, fracture filling to hide cracks and heat or radiation treatments to lighten or change the diamond's color.