Clarity

    If something inside the diamond stops light from passing through it then the diamond will not be as

 bright. Things trapped inside the diamond are called inclusions. These can be amorphous (black)

carbon, small cracks, cleavages, stones other than diamond, diamond crystals oriented at a

different angle than the original crystal, bubbles, a group of microscopic bubbles that resemble

a cloud, or other impurities. The number and size of these inclusions is what determines the

Clarity of the diamond.

• Flawless   Absolutely nothing visible with 10 power magnification.

• Internally Flawless   Absolutely nothing visible inside the diamond with 10 power magnification. 

There could be a minor imperfection on the surface  

• VVS1-VVS2  (Very very Slightly included) Usually not visible to the layman with 10 power 

magnification.

• VS1-VS2 (Very Slightly included) Difficult for the layman to see with 10 power magnification.

• SI1 (Slightly included 1) Easily seen by the layman with 10  power magnification.

• SI2 (Slightly included 2) With  great diligence, the inclusions

are EYE visible face down on a sheet of white paper.

• I1 (Included 1) With  great diligence, the inclusions are EYE visible face up.

• I2 (Included 2) The inclusions are easily  seen with the naked  eye. Possible Structural Problems.

• I3 (Included 3) The stone is Heavily included, with cracks, cleavages, sugary areas,  black inclusions, 

Structural Problems.

• Below Included₃ = Drill bits.

The top grades create extremely small changes in the way a diamond looks. The bottom grades are very

influential in the way the diamond looks. The average diamond sold in the United States is an SI_1. 

Burnell's tends to carry from there up.

Send mail to jerry@burnells.com with questions or comments about this web site.
Copyright © 1999 Burnell's Creative Gold Inc.
Last modified: October 08, 2008