The Clarity grade is based on what can be seen when the diamond is examined at your trusted Diamond and gemstone shop with magnification using a loupe and what can be seen at ten times magnification. Clarity grading requires skill and training for years. Yet today a jeweler may use a camera in his shop and look further inside the gem. If you are involved in this part, make sure your camera is adjusted for a ten times, or 10x magnification. When you pick up a diamond, you want to hold it and move it around first, before you begin to use the loupe.
Worldwide, there are several different grading systems and we shall briefly mention the major classification systems. We in Canada and the United States of America use the American created Gemological Institute of America, or GIA. Other systems are C.I.B.J.O., mostly European, Scan D N from Scandinavia and A.G.S, the American Gem Society, and the H R D in Belgium. We will follow the GIA system for clarity and ease of understanding so many terms. All systems have a general grading from ten to zero, zero being closest to flawless.
Also, the lowest in value with the most flaws rated a ten. If you follow the GIA system, the initials F.L. is the grade given to a diamond that has no visible flaws or imperfections, internal or external. If you are a novice with the loupe, you may not see flaws that are there. Practice makes this work clearer. IF is the grade given to a diamond with only noticeable flaws that can be repaired with cleaning and polishing.Grade V-V-S-1 and V-V-S-2 are a grade for diamonds with internal flaws that are very difficult for a novice to see.
V S 1 and V S 2 are grades for diamonds with small inclusions.Their flaws do not show and they are an excellent grade to purchase. S I 1 and S I 2 are grades given to diamonds with flaws that the qualified observer would notice. The imperfect diamonds are given to stones that may be seen by a qualified observer and they are less expensive. They are graded I 1, I 2 and I 3. At these lesser grades you might still look for brilliance and vibrancy. It is always best to buy up rather than down as flawed gems are relatively dime a dozen.
Also, you may end up with an abundance of middling quality gems. Keep in mind that each grade covers a range. Some may border up or down by small measures. This affects the cost, and you might want to check this with any diamond that seems to shimmer at you. But a check will show if this diamond is just into its category range, which increases its value, or is just down under a category range, more loose diamonds, dragging it down, and the price. Diamond and gemstones shop ways can allow you to feel rich on a budget, have fun, enjoy a gem of a day.
Worldwide, there are several different grading systems and we shall briefly mention the major classification systems. We in Canada and the United States of America use the American created Gemological Institute of America, or GIA. Other systems are C.I.B.J.O., mostly European, Scan D N from Scandinavia and A.G.S, the American Gem Society, and the H R D in Belgium. We will follow the GIA system for clarity and ease of understanding so many terms. All systems have a general grading from ten to zero, zero being closest to flawless.
Also, the lowest in value with the most flaws rated a ten. If you follow the GIA system, the initials F.L. is the grade given to a diamond that has no visible flaws or imperfections, internal or external. If you are a novice with the loupe, you may not see flaws that are there. Practice makes this work clearer. IF is the grade given to a diamond with only noticeable flaws that can be repaired with cleaning and polishing.Grade V-V-S-1 and V-V-S-2 are a grade for diamonds with internal flaws that are very difficult for a novice to see.
V S 1 and V S 2 are grades for diamonds with small inclusions.Their flaws do not show and they are an excellent grade to purchase. S I 1 and S I 2 are grades given to diamonds with flaws that the qualified observer would notice. The imperfect diamonds are given to stones that may be seen by a qualified observer and they are less expensive. They are graded I 1, I 2 and I 3. At these lesser grades you might still look for brilliance and vibrancy. It is always best to buy up rather than down as flawed gems are relatively dime a dozen.
Also, you may end up with an abundance of middling quality gems. Keep in mind that each grade covers a range. Some may border up or down by small measures. This affects the cost, and you might want to check this with any diamond that seems to shimmer at you. But a check will show if this diamond is just into its category range, which increases its value, or is just down under a category range, more loose diamonds, dragging it down, and the price. Diamond and gemstones shop ways can allow you to feel rich on a budget, have fun, enjoy a gem of a day.
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