DIAMOND EDUCATION

History Captured in a Diamond

Deep in Earth's fiery interior - more than 200 kilometers beneath the planet's surface - diamonds are born. They ascend to mineable depths via streams of molten rock, or magma. During this journey, extreme heat and pressure can produce inclusions, or flaws, in diamonds. These are nature's birthmarks, the characteristics - or lack thereof - that make every diamond unique.

A Matter of Degree

A diamond's degree of clarity is determined by internal and external characteristics.

Internal characteristics are called inclusions. The most common inclusions are crystals, clouds, and feathers. Crystals are minerals trapped inside a diamond. Clouds are hazy areas typically created by crystals too tiny to see under 10x magnification. Feathers are breaks in a stone.

External characteristics, or surface irregularities, are called blemishes. A scratch on a diamond's surface is one type of blemish.

Fewer inclusions and blemishes = better clarity = more rare and valuable

Measuring Diamond Clarity

Diamond clarity is graded using ten-power (10x) magnification, as most inclusions are invisible to the unaided eye. Type, position, and size of inclusions are crucial to determining clarity. Inclusions in the table, the heart of the stone, will significantly downgrade a diamond's clarity.

FL - IF	VVS1 - 2	VS1 - 2	SI1 - 2	SI3	I1	I2 - 3

Diamond Clarity Grades

• Flawless (FL) - Shows no inclusions or blemishes when viewed with 10x magnification.
• Internally Flawless (IF) - Contains no inclusions under 10x magnification; minor blemishes tolerated.
• Very Very Slight Included (VVS1 & VVS2) - Contains minute inclusions that are extremely difficult to locate under 10x magnification.
• Very Slight Included (VS1 & VS2) - Contains minute inclusions, such as clouds, crystals, or feathers, which are difficult to locate with 10x magnification.
• Slightly Included (SI1 & SI2) - Noticeable inclusions under 10x magnification, including clouds, knots, crystals, cavities, and feathers.
• Slightly Included (SI3) - Contains inclusions that are very easy to see with 10x magnification. Grading split between SI2 and I1.
• Included (I1, I2, I3) - Contains very obvious inclusion under 10x magnification. Usually can be seen with the naked eye. Clarity might also impede transparency and affect brilliance.