4Cs Diamonds - London

Clarity describes the purity or the inclusions and imperfections that can be found within a diamond. All clarity grading is done under 10 times magnification, using a special magnifying glass called a "loupe". Diamonds are graded according to the size and location of the internal features. The fewer inclusions that can be seen, the more expensive the diamond.

The highest grade is IF which stands for Internally Flawless. This means that under 10 times magnification no flaws or inclusions can be seen within the stone. The next grade down is VVS1 which stands for Very, Very Slight inclusion, meaning that under 10 times magnification it is very, very difficult to detect any inclusions. Each grade is split in to two, so following from VVS1 is VVS2. This grade is similar to a VVS1 but the inclusions may be in a slightly more central location in the stone or possibly two or three very small marks.

After this we lose one of the "V’s" so instead of "very, very," we now have Very Slight or VS1. The inclusions in this diamond are easier to see but are still very small and imperceptible to the naked eye. As you have probably guessed, next in line is VS2. The types of inclusions which might appear in a VS stone can be small cleavage cracks, white included crystals, or small “clouds”. All of these you will still not be able to see with the naked eye. SI diamonds (Slightly Included) have either larger or more inclusions than VS stones and are easy to pick out using a loupe of ten times magnification.

The last set of grades are Included diamonds. The features in these diamonds are visible to the naked eye and are split in to I1, I2 and I3 depending on the severity of the inclusion. These diamonds may have black carbon spots or “piques”, cracks, large included crystals or other imperfections which can all be seen with ease.