GIA diamond clarity chart
GIA developed Diamond clarity chart to classify diamonds based on the level of impurities or blemishes inside them.A diamond without impurities is very rare to find.It is one among the four most important factors to decide the value of diamond.
Other three factors are :
- Carat
- Color
- Cut
What is diamond clarity chart ?
The GIA(geographical institute of america) divides diamonds in six categories based on impurities.All the six categories are listed below.Please read them carefully.
Flawless : It is priceless and considered best.It is assigned the grade FL.It means that no inclusions and blemishes were found when observed under 10x magnification.It is very rare to find and very costly.
Internally Flawless : There are no inclusions inside the diamond(as the name suggests).Some small blemishes are found on the surface.It is assigned the grade IF.
Very very small inclusion : It is divided in two grades VVS1(very very small inclusion level 1) and VVS2(very very small inclusion level 2).It contains very small inclusions that are very difficult to find under 10x microsopic level.
Very small inclusion : It is divided in three grades VS(very small inclusion), VS1(very small inclusion level 1), VS2(very small inclusion level 2).Inclusions are easier to find in comparison to VVS.
Slightly Included : It is divided in two grades SL1(small inclusion level 1) and SL2 (small inclusion level 2).A trained person can easily see inclusion under 10x microscopic level.Genrally these iclusions are not visible to naked eyes.
Imperfest : It is divided in three grades I1(large inclusion ), I2(large inclusion level 1), I3(large inclusion level 2).The inclusions in imperfect diamond can be seen from naked eye.
Diamond clarity chart in order of value :
- F
- IF
- VVS1
- VVS2
- VS1
- VS2
- S1
- S2
- S3
- I1
- I2
- I3
Price and brightness of diamond depends on its calrity
Most of the diamonds produced in this world has some inclusions or blemishes.It is very rare to find flawless diamonds.The price of diamond is inversely proportional to inclusions.Diamond with small inclusion will be higher in price because it will shine more brightly.
In my personal opinion any diamond that has no visible impurities under naked eye is good enough because no one is going to check it under microscope.People buy diamonds to impress others and if it passes the naked eye test,its good enough.Just take a good look at any diamond before buying and make sure that it has no impurities or blemishes visible under naked eye.In my view size is more important than clarity unless you are paris hilton.
Color and position of impurities is important criteria
Any impurity near the surface can be covered easily compared to one present at the center.Similarly it is easy to treat white impurities compared to opaque ones.Laser drilling and fracture filling are two most common methods to improve diamond clarities.
Buy a diamond based on your budget and giving equal importance to other factors instead of buying it solely based on color chart.