Clarity
Like every love, every diamond is unique. One reason for this is clarity. Clarity measures the flawlessness of a diamond. Similar to people, diamonds have natural birthmarks that vary in size, shape, position, quantity and color. Internal birthmarks are called inclusions, while those found on the external surface of a diamond are known as blemishes. Inclusions and blemishes are very common.
There are several causes for inclusions and blemishes. During a diamond's growth, minerals can be trapped inside the stone, causing discoloration or breakage. Blemishes can also develop during the cutting, polishing and setting processes.
Though nearly all diamonds have inclusions and blemishes, the most prized diamonds are flawless. Light is able to pass through uninterrupted in a flawless diamond, resulting in a beautiful sparkle.
Experts measure clarity with special equipment. A classic jeweler's tool is the loupe, a small 10-power (10x) magnifying glass. This is the standard magnification when determining diamond clarity. Jewelers will also use gemological microscopes to show you the characteristics of your diamond.
Even diamonds with inclusions and blemishes can be among the most beautiful, especially those with good color and cut. Many inclusions are difficult to see with the naked eye, and some may be minimized by the setting you choose.
