Understanding the Diamond Clarity Grading Scale
How retailers can assist a buyer to purchase their dream stone
Diamond clarity grading refers to the presence and visible appearance of internal features of a diamond known as inclusions and surface flaws known as blemishes.
Along with key features such as carat, color and cut, clarity is one of the “four C’s” of diamond grading.
A comprehensive understanding of diamond clarity grading begins with a clear grasp of how diamonds are naturally formed.
Since natural diamonds are the result of carbon being subjected to extreme heat and pressure, the final product can reflect several interior features known as ‘inclusions’ as well as external characteristics known as ‘blemishes.’
An evaluation of diamond clarity considers the quantity, size, relief, type, and placement of these features, as well as how these affect the overall appearance of the stone.
While no diamond is entirely pure, the closer it gets to purity, the clearer it becomes. Customers looking for an engagement ring, but on a tight budget, may need to carefully weigh up their wants versus their needs. Fortunately, clarity can be compromised without any impact of the overall beauty of a diamond.
Continue reading to learn more about diamond clarity.
GIA Diamond Clarity Scale
- Without flaws (FL) Under 10x magnification, there are no apparent flaws or imperfections.
- Internally Perfect (IF) There are no apparent inclusions under 10x magnification.
- Very, Very Slightly Included (VVS1 and VVS2) Inclusions so minor that a professional grader would struggle to notice them under 10x magnification.
- Included Very Slightly (VS1 and VS2) Under 10x magnification, inclusions may be seen with effort, but they are small.
- Slightly Included (SI1 and SI2) Under 10x magnification
- Included (I1, I2, and I3) Under 10x magnification, inclusions are visible, which may impair transparency and brightness.
Many flaws and imperfections are too small for anybody other than a qualified diamond grader to notice.
A VS1 and an SI2 diamond may appear identical to the human eye, yet they are very different in terms of overall quality.
Did you know that diamond clarity is the most misunderstood of the four Cs? Most people believe that a high clarity grade is necessary for superior sparkle and to eliminate apparent inclusions in the eye.
Therefore, a professional and precise assessment of diamond clarity is critical. An in-depth and complete understanding of diamond clarity allows for a better grasp of the elements that influence diamond quality and pricing.
How Diamond Grading Works
Diamonds are graded based on the “four C’s” which comprise four basic characteristics: carat, cut, clarity, and color. While each of these characteristics influences the price of a diamond, they do not have equal influence on the diamond’s look.
The AGS 0–10 grading scale is simple to grasp: zero is the greatest possible grade, and ten is the lowest. A color grade 3 diamond has less color than a color grade 5 diamond.
Natural diamonds with less color are rarer and, as a result, may cost more. When grading diamond value using the AGS Scale, the diamond Cut grade comes first, followed by diamond Color, Clarity, and Carat Weight — in that sequence.
Should a diamond exhibiting the finest diamond Cut grade, devoid of any imperfections and flaws, weigh one carat — it would be expressed as 0/0/0–1.000 carat.
How The Clarity Grade Affects The Price Of A Diamond
The cut is perhaps the most significant factor influencing a diamond’s outer look and attractiveness. It is also the only of the four Cs that may be decided by human activities when a raw diamond is polished.
The diamond value with a higher cut grade is undoubtedly more expensive since more rough material is eliminated, and highly skilled work is required throughout the polishing process.
When it comes to the carat weight, this is the factor that has the most impact on diamond costs. Diamond prices grow exponentially as the weight and size of the stone increase.
The remaining two C’s are color and clarity, which are qualities that define the material attributes of diamond prices. In the case of color, the pricing differences between classes are rather minor and quite close to each other. Typically, when color grades improve, you should expect a linear increase in price.
When it comes to clarity, costs rise in a linear fashion in the lower classes. The link between diamond prices and clarity grades, on the other hand, may be startling, especially when we look at higher levels on the clarity scale.
A leap from slightly included stones (SI) to very slightly included stones (VS), for example, will not be massive. However, once the VVS or IF levels are reached, diamond prices follow a sharp upward curve and climb at an alarming rate.
Diamond Grading — How Are Clarity Grades Determined?
Overall clarity is determined by balancing the diamond’s appearance in the loupe, the microscope at 10x, and eye vision. Higher power is utilized to identify inclusions that would be difficult to recognize at 10x, which can frequently contain VVS inclusions; nevertheless, the final grade is always decided at 10x, in four directions.
When assigning a clarity grade, graders evaluate the size, nature, quantity, position, and relief of the inclusions. Since a diamond can be subject to numerous perspectives regarding its clarity grade, the AGSL has established quality control measures to maintain uniformity in the diamond grading process.
How Retailers Can Assist Customers when Purchasing A Diamond
Assisting customers to select a gorgeous diamond, all while staying under budget, entails a whittling down of the customer’s shape preference and choosing high quality options for the 4Cs.
Thereafter, a comparison between individual diamonds can be made to discover which stone elicits the most brilliance and fire. To help your customers find a beautiful (budget-friendly) diamond engagement ring, follow the step-by-step approach detailed below.
Selecting The Diamond Shape
The form of the diamond serves as the starting point for the diamond value and design of the ring. Refining the customer’s search should begin with finding a shape.
No form is superior to another; it is a matter of personal preference. While round brilliant diamonds are the most common form of engagement rings and have the highest sparkle, some customers may prefer a more distinctive form, such as a Cushion Cut or an Oval.
Should the customer be unsure of which diamond shape to select, it may be beneficial to suggest that they probe their partner’s relatives or friends for more insight and ideas about their partner’s preferences.
Determine The Carat Weight
Is the customer looking for a 1 or 2-carat diamond? Does their partner want a stone that stands out but isn’t overpowering? What carat weight range are they interested in?
These are important questions to ask since the price rises in lockstep with the carat weight. The carat weight of a diamond also influences its appearance (as does its shape and cut quality).
Reduce the Cut Quality
The cut quality of a diamond value has the greatest influence on its attractiveness. Although cut ratings are not standardized across all suppliers, we recommend only Excellent and Ideal cut diamonds in general.
Great advice regarding cut grade is as follows: If the customer is searching for a round brilliant diamond, suggest that they only look for “Ideal/Excellent” grade diamonds. If they are looking for a unique form, you should either specify “Premium” or disregard the cut grade entirely.
This is not to suggest that cut grade is unimportant; on the contrary, it is critical. It simply means that many suppliers do not accurately reflect fancy shape cut grades, so why exclude numerous results from your search that may be excellent choices?
Determine the Color Gradation Range
When it comes to diamond hues, the objective is to select a diamond that seems white. However, it is not necessary to pay for a D or E diamond to obtain a colorless stone.
In general, diamonds in the G to I range seem white but are far less expensive. It is crucial to point out to the customer that various shapes reflect the color at varying strengths, so the ideal color choice, matching the diamond’s look with the diamond’s price, will be heavily influenced by the diamond shape that they select.
Determine the Clarity Grade
When it comes to Clarity, you should guide the customer to seek a diamond that is eye clean. This means that no flaws or inclusions can be observed with the naked eye.
Depending on the form, an eye-clean diamond in the VS1–VS2 range is typically available. There is no reason to pay for an FL or IF diamond when a lower graded diamond can be obtained for considerably less.
Compare Diamonds Of Similar Quality
Once your customer has narrowed down their chosen diamond specifications, help them to compare similar stones to decide which one to purchase.
Guide the customer to think about things such as how bright the diamond is if it’s eye-clean, and how much it costs. Other qualities, like fluorescence, polish, and symmetry, have an impact on a diamond’s value and look, although to a considerably lesser extent than the 4 C’s.
Validate The Certificate
Should the customer be on the quest for a loose diamond, recommend that they should only select GIA Certified Diamonds and AGS Certified Diamonds. It is best that they avoid IGI, EGL, and HRD Certified diamonds since our expert experience has shown that their results are unreliable owing to uneven grading.
Seek The Advice Of An Expert
Before your customer makes the important decision to buy a diamond, suggest that they obtain an unbiased opinion from one of UNI’s diamond experts to examine their options.
We’ll examine your diamond carefully to see whether we think it’s a good buy. Obtaining expert advice will help reassure the customer that they are receiving the finest diamond for their money.
Complete The Purchase
Once the customer is satisfied with their selection of diamond, they can go ahead and purchase it along with the ring setting of their choosing. It is also advisable that the returns policy is clearly explained to the customer.
Most online sellers provide hassle-free returns within 30 days. Should the customer (or their spouse) not be completely happy with the ring, they can request a refund.
