Clarity
What would be a greater factor than a large piece of diamond? What else but a flawless finish both inside and out.
Clarity is the word used to describe the presence or absence of flaws inside the diamonds called inclusions as well as surface defects termed as blemishes. A perfect diamond with the purest clarity is very rare, almost all of the commercialized diamonds sold have flaws, and it just cannot be seen by our naked eye.
Diamonds that are completely clear are the most adored, therefore commanding a very high price. Naturally mined diamonds normally have inclusions and surface scratches that can detract its beauty but these things cannot be avoided for inclusions are normally a part of their natural formation. Surface imperfections are the ones easier to treat for they can easily be polished with virtually a little or no weight loss at all.
Inclusions are tiny pieces of impurities which can be included during the crystallization process of the diamonds. These are tiny traces of minerals or elements that can affect the build up of the diamonds.
These stone become even rarer when you look for relatively high diamond clarity ratings. In fact, only around 20% of all naturally mined diamonds have clarity scores that are enough for them considered as gemstones. The remaining 80% are utilized for industrial use. In addition to that, on the 20% that passes a huge number of them includes internal flaws that are even visible to a naked eye!
Diamond clarity can be improved with various enhancements, but unfortunately not all treatments are permanent. Here are the two of the most popular treatments for diamonds:
Diamond Fracture Filling
This procedure is done when small cracks and fissures are filled with a colorless material. However this method is not permanent and the filled part has a potential to wear out in time.
Diamond Laser Treatments
A certain laser is used to remove internal flaws or inclusions. This enhancement is considered permanent. However, a very skilled and experienced jeweler can see traces left by the laser procedure.
The hardness of the diamond may be superb, an amazing score of 10 in the Moh’s scale, but it is still important to be cautious when handling these stones because there are still a number of cases where diamonds get severely damaged due to treatments.
The stone’s cut is also a very powerful tool to hide those flaws. It’s is crucial for a cutter to position how he is going to proceed with the cut in relation to the stone’s flaws. Sometimes, the perfect cut might be all you need to conceal those impurities and reveal a brilliant clarity of diamonds. However, an experienced jeweler can give you advices about this one.
Enhancements allow us to acquire diamonds that seem to be of higher clarity than it actually is. But you should always remember that treated diamonds normally cost less, that’s why you should always be careful of people that might take advantage of you. To avoid such, you should buy diamonds from a trusted jeweler, ideally one who discloses any sort of enhancement that was done.
However, due to the increase in the production of synthetic diamonds, some gemologists consider these natural flaws and blemishes helpful for they have been considered as a proof that they are authentic.
Clarity is only one of the many aspects that should be considered if you’re planning to buy a piece of diamond. You quest in looking for the perfect piece of diamond is like a solving a jigsaw puzzle. You can only find the ideal diamond when all of the pieces fit together perfectly.