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In order to determine the clarity of
a diamond, you'll need someone with a trained eye to view it under
10-power magnification.
If you visit me I will be happy to explain and to show you how to look at a diamond, 10x magnification is needed yet also very correct lighting conditions.
The majority of diamonds are born with
miniscule "birthmarks" known as inclusions. The smaller and fewer
the inclusions, the more able light can pass through the diamond,
contributing significantly to its rare beauty. More than any other
gemstone, diamonds are capable of producing the maximum amount
of brilliance. Thus a diamond which is free of inclusions and
surface blemishes is more rare and, by definition, more valuable.
A diamond's clarity can be affected by
two types of flaws:
- External flaws: these are any
of the impurities that are on the surface of the diamond. External
flaws are the result of wear and tear on the diamond or from
damage caused during cutting.
- Internal flaws: These are any
of the many impurities that reside solely in the interior of
the diamond. There are many kinds of internal flaws. A few important
ones that you should familiarize yourself with are:
Black or dark spots: carbon or
other dark spots.
Clouds: Clouds, are microscopic inclusions that lower transparency.
Fracture (feather) - the
majority of imperfections in diamonds are the result of breakage
in the diamond chemical structure.
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