Clarity – The degree to which a diamond is free from natural phenomena known as inclusions: Inclusions are natural imperfections, traces of the pressure and processes involved in their formation and often referred to as ‘nature’s fingerprints’. They are nature’s birthmarks. Diamond crystals form within a mother rock known as Kimberlite, this rock consists of a varied mixture of many different minerals, some of the more common minerals found in a Diamond, as inclusions, are the gemstones known as Garnet (Red), Olivine (Olive Green/Brown) and Peridot (Lime Green). Occasionally the green gemstone Diopside is present. Very rarely are the colour of these gemstone inclusions visible, they usually appear black because the inclusion acts as a black hole by absorbing light.

Most diamonds have tiny crystals of these minerals imbedded in them, trapped as the Diamond crystal was forming, they may look like tiny crystals, clouds, or feathers. Sometimes small diamond crystals may themselves be trapped in the formation of a larger Diamond crystal, when this happens, a Knot is formed inside the host Diamond crystal; These Knots make the cutting and polishing very problematic. In the higher grades of Diamond clarity VVs1 down to Vs1 the greater majority of these inclusions cannot be seen by the human eye, being the size of dust particles, they can only be seen under magnification. The universal magnification for all Diamond grading is carried out using a 10x magnification Diamond Loupe.

Scratches – A fine white line, curved or straight.

Fracture – A crack on the surface of the stone.

Nicks – A chip near the girdle or a facet edge.

Pits – A minute opening resembling a white dot usually triangular in appearance called a Trigon.

Polish lines – Minute lines caused during this process.

Bearding – Stress hair-like lines usually occurring during the cutting of a diamond visible round the girdle.