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Clarity is another vital grading characteristic in diamonds. Clarity
refers to the number, position and size of inclusions and blemishes that
occur naturally in diamonds. The fewer and less obvious the inclusions
are, the more valuable the diamond. Diamonds.co.nz uses the Gemological
Institute of America (GIA) nomenclature with the addition of SI3. Following
are the GIA's definitions of the clarity grades:
FI -IF |
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Flawless (Fl)
Flawless diamonds show no blemishes or inclusions when examined by
a skilled grader under 10X magnification.
Internally Flawless (IF)
Internally Flawless diamonds show no inclusions and only insignificant
blemishes under 10X magnification. Normally what separates IF from
FL stones are characteristics that can be removed by minor re-polishing.
There is very little demand for Fl and IF diamonds in the New Zealand
market. |
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VVS1 & VVS2
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Very Very Slightly Included (VVS1 & VVS2)
VVS diamonds contain minute inclusions that are very difficult for
even a skilled diamond grader to locate under 10X magnification.
In VVS1 they are extremely difficult to see, visible only from
the pavilion or small and shallow enough to be removed by minor
re-polishing. In VVS2 they are very difficult to locate using 10X
magnification. Again there is very little demand for VVS diamonds
in the New Zealand market. What demand there is will be combined
with high colours. |
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VS1 & VS2
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Very Slightly Included (VS1 & VS2)
VS diamonds contain minor inclusions ranging from difficult (VS1)
to somewhat easy (VS2) for a skilled diamond grader to see under
10X magnification. Small included crystals, small feathers and
clouds are typical. VS clarity is becoming increasingly popular
in the New Zealand market as consumers become quality conscious
and are concerned with "eye visible" inclusions. |
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| SI1 |
SI2 |
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Slightly Included (SI1 & SI2)
SI diamonds contain noticeable inclusions which are easy (SI1) and
very easy (SI2) to see under 10X magnification. In some SI's the
inclusions can be seen with the unaided eye, especially in SI2.
In the New Zealand market SI is the most popular clarity grade
range. SI1 as opposed to SI2, is growing in popularity as it gives
a good balance between price and quality. |
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SI3 |
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SI3
Diamonds.co.nz uses SI3 as an intermediate grade of clarity between
SI2 and I1. Our explanation of this grade is that an SI3 is a very
low SI2 to very top I1. Although this clarity grade is not recognized
by the GIA or HRD, SI3 is a clarity grade that is traded in the
wholesale diamond marketplace and better describes diamonds in
these positions in the clarity scale. |
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Imperfect (I1, I2 and I3)
Imperfect grade diamonds contain inclusions which are very obvious
to a skilled diamond grader under 10X magnification and the
inclusions can be seen face-up with the unaided eye. I2 and
I3 diamonds have inclusions that can seriously affect the diamonds
potential durability and are so numerous they affect transparency
and brilliance of the diamond.
Diamonds.co.nz endeavours to buy I1 diamonds that contain inclusions
that are spread through out the stone. This makes the diamond more
appealing in the face-up position. |
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