Diamond Grading

Diamond clarity is the quality of diamonds that relates to the existence and visual
appearance of internal characteristics of a diamond called inclusions, and surface
defects, called blemishes. Clarity is one of the four Cs of diamond grading, the others
being carat, color, and cut.
Inclusions are solids, liquids, or gases that were trapped in a mineral as it formed. They
may be crystals of a foreign material or even another diamond crystal, or may have
produced structural imperfections, such as tiny cracks that make a diamond appear
whitish or cloudy. The number, size, color, relative location, orientation, and visibility of
inclusions can all affect the relative clarity of a diamond. A clarity grade is assigned based
on the overall appearance of the stone under ten times magnification, which is
a magnification standard for loupes used in the gem world.