Sign up with FacebookOTHER CLARITY PARAMETERS
There are other clarity parameters that have a significant impact on quality and therefore value of a diamond such as whether the inclusion(s) are black or white and the location of these inclusions. Another important clarity parameter is whether the inclusions are naked eye visible or not. IDIAM verifies and provides grading for all these other clarity parameters.
BLACK INCLUSION
Black inclusions, such as non-crystallized carbon spots or needles, have a significant impact on the pricing of a diamond and therefore it is important to grade it accurately. The Black inclusion(s) are graded by its location, whether they are in the center (visible through the table facet of the diamond) or on the side (visible through the crown facets).
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Grades of black inclusion |
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Grades |
Meaning |
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None |
There are no black (or any other colored) inclusion(s) visible. |
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Minor |
There is a Minor presence of black (or any other colored) inclusion(s). These are partially visible under 10x magnification. |
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Medium |
There is Medium presence of black (or any other colored) inclusion(s). These are visible under 10x magnification. |
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Major |
There is a Major presence of Black (or any other colored) inclusion(s). These are very easily visible under 10x magnification. |
The intensity of the black inclusion is dependent on the clarity grade of the diamond. Based on the location of above mentioned black inclusion there can be two types of black inclusions:
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Black in center: When black Inclusion (black spot) is on the table (center portion of the diamond)
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Black in Side: When black inclusion is on the side of the diamond (when black inclusion is not on the table).
Buying Tip:
The most important detailed clarity parameter is Black (or Colored ) inclusions, either in the center or side of the piece. This has a significant impact on the price, up to 10-15% of the value. Pieces that do not have any black (or colored) inclusions on either the center or side are most preferred. Sometimes some customers are willing to compromise some black inclusions on the side, especially in lower clarities due to significant savings in the purchase price it offers.
WHITE INCLUSION
White in Center and White in Side are grading parameters that describe the location of white inclusions such as feathers, crystals, needles, clouds, or knots that are non-black or non-colored in nature.
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Grades of White Inclusions |
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Grades |
Meaning |
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None |
There is no white inclusion visible. |
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Minor |
There is minor presence of white inclusion(s). |
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Medium |
There is moderate presence of white inclusion(s). |
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Major |
There is heavy presence of white inclusion(s). |
The intensity of the white inclusion is dependent on the clarity grade of the diamond. Based on the location of above mentioned white inclusion(s), there can be two types of white inclusions:
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White in Center(WIC): When white Inclusion (white spot or feather) is on the table (center portion of the diamond)
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White in Side (WIS): When white inclusion is on the side of the diamond (when white inclusion is not on the table).
Buying Tip:
If inclusions are not black, they are white in color. These inclusions are considered better than black inclusions by most consumers. Even when considering white inclusions, inclusions that are on the side are preferred to inclusions that are on the center (visible through the table facet) as side inclusions are less visible.
EYE CLEAN
This grading parameter specifies the visibility of diamond inclusions to the naked eye (i.e. diamond viewed without any magnification or viewing aid). This grade in particularly important in low clarity grade diamonds SI1 and lower and as GIA/IGI/HRD does not certify this parameter, IDIAM provides you a grading for this parameter in its report.
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Eye Clean |
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Grades |
Meaning |
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Eye Clean |
The diamond has no inclusion(s) visible to the naked eye. It is relevant in clarity grades VS2 and down. Stones with clarity VS1 and above almost always fall in this criteria.
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Semi-Eye Clean |
Diamond that have some inclusions that are visible but only with a concentrated focus or by a trained observer. |
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Not Eye Clean |
These diamonds have inclusions which are easily visible to the naked eye. |
Buying Tip:
As mentioned earlier, clarity above VS1 grade is usually not visible to the naked eye. But sometimes, such as in the case of Emerald shape diamonds which are step cut, even VS2 inclusions may become visible. Therefore this parameter grading informs the buyer whether the inclusion is visible to the naked eye (without any visual aid) and /or affecting the beauty of the diamond. Naturally eye clean pieces are valued more than non eye clean pieces.
INTERNAL GRAINING
Internal graining are caused by irregular crystal growth. Internal graining can appear like whitish, colored or reflective lines. Depending on the severity, they can also appear like creases or give the diamond a hazy appearance.The degree of the visibility of the grain lines will have an effect upon the clarity grade of the diamond and if no other clarity characteristics are present then the graining may be the basis for the clarity grade of the diamond.
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Internal Graining |
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Grades |
Meaning |
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None |
No internal graining visible in the diamond. |
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Light |
Light internal graining visible in the diamond |
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Medium |
Medium/Easily visible internal graining in the diamond |
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Heavy |
Heavy internal graining in the diamond |
Buying Tip:
Other clarity parameter that sometimes gets over looked is internal graining. Though sometimes 3rd party certificates mention if a diamond has internal graining or not, it gets overlooked as it is mentioned in the notes. Idiam verified diamonds have a separate grading for this parameter. A piece not having any graining is always preferred to those that are having graining. The impact on value can be 2%-5% depending of the quality of piece, with higher quality diamonds getting more impacted than lower quality diamonds.