Black DiamondsTypes of Inclusions

Clarity

The current grading standards for clarity in diamonds are very similar across the various grading labs. The most popular system in use today was introduced, and later improved, by GIA. It includes 11 grades, in increasing amount of inclusions:

Diamonds graded FL and IF contain no inclusions that can be seen with a 10x loupe. IF graded diamonds may contain minor surface blemishes that can be polished off or removed with a minor recutting. Flawless diamonds are very rare. In fact, some jewellers that sell set diamonds will never mark a stone as FL, simply because a setting could potentially hide the blemish in an IF diamond and make it appear completely flawless. For this reason any respectable grading laboratory will only grade loose stones and not complete pieces of jewellery.

VVS diamonds contain few minor inclusions that are very difficult to see for an experienced grader with a 10x loupe. VS graded stones contain inclusions that are not visible at first sight, but become visible when the stone is moved from side to side. Again, this is only for expert graders with a 10x loupe. Most people unfamiliar with diamond clarity grading will have very hard time trying to see these inclusions with a loupe. For easier identification, 15x loupes are sometimes used to locate inclusions, however, the final clarity grade will be determined by the appearance of the inclusions with a 10x loupe.

SI diamonds are also known as eye clean. Their inclusions are fairly easy to see with a 10x loupe but indiscernible to the naked eye when viewed through the crown of the stone. There may be some exceptions to this rule, but generally, you should not see anything on an SI graded stone while viewing from the top.

Lastly, I1, I2 and I3 are diamonds that have inclusions visible to the naked eye. These inclusions, especially in I2 and I3 grades may pose a danger to the diamond's structural integrity. Particularly, fractures located close to the girdle of the diamond and corners of rectangular cuts may cause the diamond to chip off when struck even lightly under the correct angle. A bigger but low quality diamond will very likely leave its owner unsatisfied in the long run. Many diamond owners experience what is colloquially know as shrinking — after buying a moderately large diamond, the owner gets used to the size and stops perceiving it as large, yet at the same time starts seeing all the numerous inclusions. In the world of diamonds only a high quality stone is able to withstand the test of time and stay beautiful forever.

Black DiamondsTypes of Inclusions