Diamond Clarity

Diamond Clarity: Understanding a Diamond’s Natural Beauty

 

When selecting the perfect diamond, clarity is an essential factor that determines a diamond’s purity and brilliance. At Birmingham Jewelry, we are dedicated to educating our customers about diamond clarity and helping them choose the best stone for their needs.

What Is Diamond Clarity?

Diamond clarity refers to the absence of inclusions and blemishes in a diamond. Inclusions are internal imperfections, while blemishes occur on the diamond’s surface. The fewer the imperfections, the higher the clarity grade and the more valuable the diamond.

The GIA Diamond Clarity Scale

The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) developed a grading scale to assess a diamond’s clarity under 10x magnification:

  • Flawless (FL): No inclusions or blemishes; extremely rare.
  • Internally Flawless (IF): No internal inclusions, only minor surface blemishes.
  • Very Very Slightly Included (VVS1 & VVS2): Minute inclusions, difficult to see even under magnification.
  • Very Slightly Included (VS1 & VS2): Small inclusions, visible under magnification but not to the naked eye.
  • Slightly Included (SI1 & SI2): Noticeable inclusions under magnification, sometimes visible to the naked eye.
  • Included (I1, I2, I3): Obvious inclusions, affecting transparency and brilliance.

How Clarity Affects Beauty

While higher clarity grades indicate fewer imperfections, many inclusions are microscopic and do not affect a diamond’s beauty to the naked eye. This means that VS and SI clarity diamonds often offer great value, balancing affordability with stunning brilliance.

Clarity and Birmingham Jewelry’s Expert Selection

At Birmingham Jewelry, we specialize in hand-selecting diamonds that offer the best clarity and brilliance at every price point. As experts with multiple certifications, we can help you navigate clarity grades and find a diamond that appears flawless to the naked eye while providing excellent value.

Choosing the Right Clarity for Your Diamond

  • For engagement rings: VS2 or SI1 diamonds often provide the best balance of clarity and affordability.
  • For larger diamonds (2+ carats): A higher clarity grade (VS or better) may be more important as inclusions can become more noticeable. However, when carefully selected by an experienced jeweler, some SI stones can actually impress as well. 
  • For step-cut diamonds (Emerald, Asscher): Clarity is crucial since these cuts have larger facets that highlight imperfections.

Visit Birmingham Jewelry for Expert Guidance

With the largest selection of engagement rings in Michigan, Birmingham Jewelry is your trusted source for high-quality diamonds. Our team of experts is ready to guide you in choosing a diamond with the perfect clarity for your style and budget.

Explore Our Collection Today

Stop by our showroom or visit our website to browse our carefully curated selection of diamonds. Let our expertise help you find the flawless diamond of your dreams.