CLARITY

Diamond Clarity is a way to measure the level of tiny imperfections that exist within almost all diamonds except the very finest. Most imperfections within a quality diamond will remain microscopic because you rarely look into a diamond with a microscope, but if there are too many it can affect the diamond’s apparent color rating and the way light escapes to give the stone its brilliance.

To many, a diamond’s clarity is the easiest to understand and see visually what determines the rating. Gemologists may describe these imperfections as inclusions, blemishes or clarity characteristics.

DIAMOND CLARITY SCALE

Flawless (FL) No internal or external imperfections on or in the diamond. Extraordinarily rare.

Internally Flawless (IF) – No internal imperfections found within the diamond. This level of rating is very rare.

Very, Very Slightly Included (VVS1 / VVS2) – It will be very difficult to see imperfections without the help of at least 10x magnification of a scope. This is an extremely high diamond quality.

Very Slightly Included (VS1 / VS2) – A diamond that is graded VS2 or VS1 are generally not visible to the eye without some kind of magnification.

Slightly Included (SI1 / SI2) – At this level of clarity the diamond’s imperfections are visible without 10x magnification. In some cases they are visible to the naked eye depending on placement & size. The greatest price drop occurs between SI1 to the VS range of clarity.

Included (I1) – Included diamonds will have inclusions visible to the naked eye oftentimes. The scale continues down towards I2 / I3, but we do not generally carry these at ^deBoulle Diamond & Jewelry or suggest them for our buyers.

*K through Z – Diamonds graded below K are not generally carried at ^deBoulle Diamond & Jewelry.

THE FOUR C’s

COLOR

With white diamonds, the color is graded based on how little color a diamond exudes to the viewer. Diamond’s of similar color are placed alongside each other for comparison to determine an official color grade.

CUT

When balancing the many characteristics diamonds have in picking the perfect stone for your bride to be, the quality of cut is a diamond’s most important attribute.

CLARITY

Diamond Clarity is a way to measure the level of tiny imperfections that exist within almost all diamonds except the very finest.

CARAT WEIGHT

While one initially views a diamond’s size by looking at the stone and how big the table or flat top portion of it appears, a diamond’s size is measured in weight. Carats are a unit that specifically refer to the weight of a diamond.