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THE 4CS OF DIAMONDS
THE 4Cs OF DIAMONDS
CHAPTER 6
The geological miracle of diamonds is a result of carbon that is exposed to intense pressure and extreme heat deep within earth’s crust. This process of a diamond’s birth can result in a variety of internalized characteristics that we call “inclusions.” The GIA Clarity Scale spans 11 grades. When assessing a clarity grade, the GIA expert diamond grader considers the type, size, location and quantity of clarity characteristics located within the diamond.
DIAMOND CLARITY
In order to analyze the location and type of inclusions an expert grader at the GIA must examine each diamond under 10x magnification. Simply put, the fewer inclusions the more valuable the diamond. However, grades of SI and higher of GIA graded diamonds are indicative of being “eye-clean.” This means that inclusions are no longer visible to the naked eye. As a result, diamonds with higher grades become more expensive, due to rarity, but not necessarily more beautiful to the eye.
• Flawless (FL) - No inclusions or blemishes are visible to a skilled grader using 10× magnification
• Internally Flawless (IF) - No inclusions and only blemishes are visible to a skilled grader using 10× magnification
• Very, Very Slightly Included (VVS1 and VVS2) - Inclusions are difficult for a skilled grader to see under 10× magnification
• Very Slightly Included (VS1 and VS2) - Inclusions are minor and range from difficult to somewhat easy for a skilled grader to see under 10x
• Slightly Included (SI1 and SI2) - Inclusions are noticeable to a skilled grader under 10x magnification
• Included (I1, I2, and I3) - Inclusions are obvious under 10× magnification and may affect transparency and brilliance
