Clarity

Clarity is an indication of a diamond's purity.

When a rough stone is extracted from carbon, deep beneath the earth, tiny traces of natural elements are almost always trapped inside.

These elements are called inclusions, though sometimes referred to as birthmarks, because they are formed naturally and are unique to each stone.

Skilled diamond artisans (diamantaires) painstakingly examine each rough stone to determine how to cut it in order to eliminate or reduce inclusions and flaws. Their goal is to craft a diamond of the highest clarity possible.

The fewer, smaller, and less noticeable the flaws, the higher the price. Because most inclusions are not visible to the naked eye, we would use a magnifier known as a loupe or a microscope to reveal a diamond's inclusions to you.

There are 11 clarity grades as established by the Gemological Institute of America™.