The 4Cs: Diamond Clarity

Almost all diamonds, except the rarest, have internal and/or external marks or characteristics. External characteristics are called blemishes. Internal characteristics are called inclusions.

You can think of these characteristics as freckles or birthmarks. Almost all diamonds used in jewelry today have them.

Inclusions result from the tremendous heat and pressure under which diamonds are formed and help gemologists separate natural diamonds from synthetics. Blemishes are found on the outside of a diamond and often form during the cutting process.

These characteristics help identify diamonds and make them unique. Just like it’s unlikely for two people to have the same fingerprints, or two snowflakes to be the exact same, it’s just as unlikely that two diamonds have the same clarity characteristics in identical locations.

The presence of some inclusions does not diminish a diamond’s beauty or durability, and most inclusions require powerful magnification before they are visible. Clarity ratings range from flawless to I3 or included.

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