Diamond Carat
A diamond crafted from 100% pure carbon, devoid of any impurities, is a truly rare find. Almost all diamonds bear some degree of color impurities, termed inclusions, which are often a result of lingering traces of nitrogen, boron, or hydrogen present during the gem’s formation deep within the Earth.
While these natural birthmarks may not be readily visible to the naked eye, they can subtly impact the transparency and brilliance of a diamond. To assess these imperfections, a 6-category scale is employed to grade diamonds based on their clarity.
Unveiling the Rarity of Pure Carbon Diamonds
Prestigious
This top-tier grade signifies a diamond free from any inclusions or blemishes, even when viewed under intense 100x magnification. The stone boasts absolute clarity, with no imperfections to mar its pristine surface.
While no inclusions are visible under 100x magnification, there may be extremely minuscule blemishes detectable only to seasoned experts. Despite these minor flaws, the diamond maintains exceptional clarity.
Diamonds in this category exhibit incredibly faint inclusions that are virtually imperceptible without the aid of a powerful 10x microscope. These minute imperfections are only discernible to the keen eye of a trained professional.
Minor inclusions are present in diamonds classified as VS1 or VS2, requiring some effort to spot under 10x magnification. While these flaws may be visible upon close inspection, they have minimal impact on the diamond’s overall appearance.
Inclusions become more noticeable in diamonds categorized as SI1 or SI2, requiring less scrutiny to detect under 10x magnification. Despite these visible imperfections, diamonds in this range still offer excellent value and beauty.
The lowest tier of clarity grading, diamonds in this category feature inclusions that are readily visible under 10x magnification and may even be visible to the naked eye. While these imperfections affect the stone’s clarity, they can often be mitigated by skilled diamond setters.
