The clarity of diamonds indicates how flawed or how close to perfection a diamond is. The amount and types of flaws inside and on the surface of a diamond, or 'diamond clarity', is one of four elements that determine the quality and value of the diamond. The other three diamond qualities that are considered on the rating scale are diamond carat weight, diamond color and diamond cut. Combined, these are known as the 4 C's, the internationally recognized measuring standards the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) has set in place to evaluate diamonds. Here, we will discuss diamond clarity evaluating and how it affects the value of the stone.

A diamond's imperfections cannot generally be seen by a layman, but most diamonds are flawed in some way. Imperfections exist because diamonds are not man-made; they are minerals naturally formed far deep inside the earth by extreme volcanic heat and pressure. It's a wonder that diamonds have such brilliance, given the extreme conditions under which they are formed. It's only natural that as diamonds go through the violent process of erupting through the earth's surface that they would have markings, or imperfections, detracting from their clarity.

A diamond's internal flaws are known as inclusions, and a diamond's external surface imperfections are called blemishes. Most imperfections are unable to be seen by the naked eye, so to accurately assess the quality and value of a diamond, a trained gemologist, specializing in diamonds, performs a diamond clarity evaluation under 10x magnification with a jeweler's loupe. The scale used to measure the clarity of diamonds utilizes the following rating symbols. As you go down the list, the number of inclusions or flaws increases:

• FL = flawless
• IF = internally flawless
• VVS1 or VVS2, which stands for very, very slightly included
• VS1 or VS2, meaning very slightly included
• SI1 and SI2, meaning slightly included

Call the jewelry buyers at Ralph Mueller & Associates at (480) 949-9299 today to receive a professional appraisal of your diamond from GIA graduate gemologists, who are experts in diamond clarity evaluating. We offer the best prices for used diamond jewelry in Arizona.