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Clarity pertains to the absence of imperfections within a lab diamond, known as inclusions or blemishes. It serves as a gauge to assess the purity and rarity of a diamond. The majority of these imperfections are undetectable to the unaided eye and become visible only when examined under 10x magnification, a level of amplification beyond the capability of the naked eye.
The visual appeal of a lab grown diamond is seldom influenced by its clarity because these inclusions are typically so minuscule that their impact on the man-made diamond's appearance often escapes notice. Inclusions, often referred to as "internal characteristics," are an inherent aspect of diamonds, arising from the extreme conditions in which they form, both within the Earth's depths and in laboratory settings.
Inclusions are internal imperfections or tiny crystals trapped within the lab diamond during its formation. These can include tiny fractures, mineral crystals, or cloud-like areas. The type, size, and location of inclusions affect a lab grown diamond's clarity grade.
Blemishes are external flaws or surface irregularities on a diamond. They can result from wear and tear or the cutting and polishing process. Common blemishes include scratches, chips, and naturals (unpolished areas on the lab grown diamond's surface).
But there’s a simple and budget friendly way to address this issue and it is to buy lab grown diamonds that are considered eye clean. A term often used in the diamond industry ‘eye clean' refers to man-made diamonds where inclusions are not visible to the naked eye without magnification. Diamonds with clarity grades ranging from Flawless to VS2 are typically considered eye clean.
Having mentioned the lab grown diamond clarity grade twice, it is only natural that we give you an insight into what exactly the diamond clarity grade is. And for all potential buyers in the market this is just the knowledge you need to save a few bucks.
The Lab Grown Diamond Clarity Scale, as established by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), is a standardized system used to assess and grade the internal and external imperfections, or "inclusions" and "blemishes," in a lab grown diamond. This scale helps determine a diamond's clarity grade, which is a crucial factor in evaluating a man-made diamond's quality and value. The GIA Clarity Scale consists of six main ranges, each with several specific grades:
Lab Diamonds in this category have no inclusions or blemishes visible under 10x magnification. They are extremely rare and command the highest prices.
IF lab grown diamonds have no inclusions visible under 10x magnification but may have minor blemishes on the surface. They are also highly valuable and relatively rare.
VVS man-made diamonds have minute inclusions that are extremely difficult to see under 10x magnification. This category is divided into two subgrades, with VVS1 having slightly better clarity than VVS2.
VS lab diamonds have minor inclusions that are somewhat challenging to see under 10x magnification. Just like the VVS category, VS is divided into VS1 and VS2, with VS1 diamonds having slightly better clarity.
SI graded lab grown diamonds have noticeable inclusions when viewed under 10x magnification but are generally not visible to the naked eye. The SI category is also divided into SI1 and SI2, with SI1 diamonds having better clarity.
Included lab grown diamonds have inclusions and/or blemishes that are visible to the naked eye without magnification. This category is further subdivided into I1 (least included), I2, and I3 (most included). Man-made diamonds in this category are the most affordable but may have significant clarity issues.
Upon studying our customers and their purchasing behavior, we concluded that the average person prefers the SI1 Clarity. It is the perfect mix of good quality and affordability at the same time. Flaws in an SI1 Diamond (or higher) can only be seen under 10x magnification.
It is important to note that inclusions have a negligible effect on a lab grown diamond’s strength. On rare occasions, they can lead to a fracture when subjected to a significant force. However, they possess a stable atomic structure and the cutting process is optimized to increase durability. The potential impact of an inclusion on the man-made diamond's resilience is a factor in determining its clarity grade.
Moreover the shape of the lab grown diamond also affects its clarity. For some lab diamond shapes you can skimp over the clarity but for others such as the asscher and emerald, we suggest investing more in a lab diamond of better clarity. This is mainly because such designs have rectangular facets which make the inclusions more visible.
All in all neither of us are perfect, so it is unfair to set unrealistic standards for lab diamonds, isn’t it? (they undergo insane amounts of pressure anyway)
