Diamond Clarity
How to Choose a Diamond
Almost all diamonds contain minute traces of non-crystallized carbon or small non-diamond crystals. Most are not discernible to the naked eye and require magnification to become visible. Called inclusions, they are nature's finger print and make every diamond unique. However, the fewer there are, the rarer the stone will be. Clarity, therefore, is the term that is used to indicate the extent to which the diamond you purchase is free of these natural phenomena.
There are four major grading systems for classifying diamonds - GIA, CIBJO, IDC and Scan D.N. - and an international standard (ISO) that is being developed. At present, a stone is described as "flawless" by the GIA if it is without surface characteristics or internal inclusions. Foreign systems use the term "Loupe Clean," which equates to both flawless and internally flawless. Grades then gradually descend.
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