Getting Some Clarity on the Matter
When jewellers talk about the clarity of diamond rings, they often refer to the stone having ‘flaws’, which sounds very negative. These flaws are actually called inclusions, which is a much nicer word. An inclusion is formed during the natural creation process of the diamond and there are different types. They are generally invisible to the naked eye and so should not affect the aesthetics of the diamond in this respect. However, inclusions in diamonds can interfere with the refraction process as light enters the diamond and tries to escape through the top. This process is what creates the sparkle, and a diamond with too many inclusions will sparkle less than a ‘flawless’ stone.
The aspect of looking at the number of flaws or inclusions in diamond engagement rings is known as grading the clarity. The most popular system for grading clarity is scale by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). The stones are inspected using a 10x microscope and graded according to the amount and extent of the flaws.
Flaws in engagement rings can be categorised in different ways. The most common flaws are known as pinpoint, and feature a small white dot on the surface of the diamond. Less common are carbons, which are the same but with a black dot. Feathers are small cracks inside the stone, giving an appearance (when magnified) of broken glass, which can sometimes be a problem if they grow as the diamond ages. Clouds are made up of small crystals and create a haze over parts of the diamond, and crystal growths give the appearance of a smaller diamond contained within a larger one. When a stone is being evaluated, its flaws should not be confused with blemishes, which are manmade faults such as scratches, chips or nicks caused through cutting or wear and tear.
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