Colored Diamond Clarity

Clarity refers to the clearness or purity of a diamond. This is determined by the number, size, nature, and location of internal imperfections known as inclusions and external imperfections known as blemishes. While each of the Four C’s of Diamond Buying applies to fancy colored diamonds, one major difference is the relevance of clarity as it relates to a colored diamond’s overall quality. While a VS or even VVS clarity is almost necessary when selecting a high quality white diamond, this is not so when considering a colored diamond. Statistically, the occurance of VS clarity or better occuring in colored diamonds is small and those receiving this grading often command a premium in price. The average clarity of a fancy colored diamond is generally SI-I. Generally, the most important factor relating to clarity that colored diamond dealers consider when purchasing is whether or not a diamond is "eye clean." This is a term used in the jewelry industry to describe a diamond with no blemishes or inclusions that are visible to the naked eye (i.e. a human eye which is not aided by magnifying devices such as a jeweler's loupe or a microscope).

TIPS:

The most important thing when deciding on a colored diamond is the color itself. Colored diamonds are cut to maximize the color, not the clarity. Value is based moreso on color factors such as hue, saturation and tone.

Most inclusions are hidden by the saturation of color within a diamond

The following chart illustrates the scale by which clarity is measured and is in accordance with the GIA.