What is Diamond Clarity?
When buying from a reputable jeweller such as Xennox Jewellery, most will expect the finest items and that’s what they receive. But one of the most common queries when buying diamond engagement rings is what the term ‘clarity’ means. There are two ways to fully understand it and the first is simple and can be explained in one sentence. The second is a lot more advanced and can get quite technical. If you’re keen to learn more about diamond clarity, be sure to continue reading.
What is diamond clarity?
The easiest way to define clarity is to say that it relates to the visual and aesthetic appearance of a precious stone. The more clarity it has, the purer the carbon is – and this can lead to a huge price tag. When evaluating the condition of a diamond, a specialist will typically look for the following features:
- Inclusions. These factors can be internal or external and are often classified as defects. A flawless diamond is very rare, so inclusions are to be expected
- Surface defects. If a diamond has surface defects, it could be down to the raw piece, or a fault of the jeweller. Defects are unwanted, so the price can reduce accordingly
- Blemishes. Often referred to as either of the above terms, blemishes are minor issues that can be visible on the surface of the stone
Where clarity is concerned, it is actually only one of the 4 C’s that are used to grade diamonds. The others are cut – which refers to the precision slices made to the stone during modification (that lend to the overall shape of the finished product), the colour – which can vary from transparent to yellow to red, and carat – namely the weight of the piece.
If a ring features a stone with a 1 carat diamond, this would mean that it weighs 200 milligrams. A 5 carat diamond would therefore weigh 1 gram (5 multiplied by 200 milligrams).
What can affect clarity?
Although certain external factors can play a role in the clarity of a precious stone, it’s typically the formation process that defines the end-result. For example, if the carbon is exposed to consistent heat and pressure without being moved around underground too much, it won’t be likely to absorb as much silt and soil – which should allow the atomic particles to bond more tightly.
This tight bond can safeguard the forming carbon from external factors, which in turn will result in a much purer stone once it has been mined. In cases where the stone may have changed hue to yellow, pink, blue or red, the clarity is only considered when looking for defects. What this means is that although it might not be as easy to see through a stone with its own hue; if it doesn’t have imperfections internally, it can be even more valuable than a transparent alternative.
Dan Croke