Diamonds that really are FOREVER

Diamond clarity is in reference to the rarity and purity of a diamond. It also refers to the amount (or lack) of inclusions and blemishes are present.

When forming, natural microscopic characteristics can be trapped within or on the diamond. These internal and surface characteristics are inspected by gemologists, who use 10x magnification and a qualitative grading system to assign a numerical value (clarity grade) to each diamond.

The lower the number of imperfections and flaws in a diamond’s aesthetic appearance, the higher the clarity grade. When determining the optimum clarity for a diamond, keep in mind that no diamond is entirely pure. However, the closer it gets to purity, the clearer it becomes. Diamonds with no or few inclusions are considered particularly rare and highly valued.

While clarity has a significant effect on the value of a diamond, most defects are invisible to the naked or unassisted eye.

The carat became the unit of diamond measurement in 1907. Before that, gemstone evaluation varied between countries, and standards changed depending on where you were in the world.

Carat (ct.) refers to the unique unit of weight measurement used exclusively to weigh gemstones and diamonds. Carat weight is often confused with visual size even though it is a measurement of weight. You cannot actually see carat weight with the naked eye. Several factors affect the weight of a stone, such as density, the formulation of the jewel, and the shape.

A stone that is visually substantial does not indicate a high carat count. Depending on the shape and type of gemstone being weighed, the weight will visually show itself differently. For example, a 1.00 ct. round diamond will measure around 6.5mm, and a 1.00 ct. round sapphire will measure around 6.0mm. This is due to the varying density of different gemstones.

The Gemmological Institute of America (GIA) colour scale is the industry standard for diamond grading. The GIA diamond colour grades range from D (colorless) to Z (light yellow or brown). Many people ask why the GIA diamond grading scale starts at D. Arcane systems used grades of A-C, 1-3, and I-III, etc. The GIA set out to standardise these diverse systems and started their scale fresh with a grade of D.