Because they are formed deep within the earth, under extreme heat and pressure; virtually all diamonds contain "birthmarks"; small imperfections inside the diamond (called inclusions), or on its surface (called blemishes).

1. DIAMOND CLARITY
CHART
Diamond Lady

2. Because they are formed deep within the earth,
under extreme heat and pressure; virtually all
diamonds contain "birthmarks"; small imperfections
inside the diamond (called inclusions), or on its
surface (called blemishes). Clarity refers to the
degree to which these imperfections are present.
Diamonds which contain numerous or significant
inclusions or blemishes have less brilliance
because the flaws interfere with the path of light
through the diamond.

3. The position of an inclusion affects how easily it can
be seen. Diamond cutters make every effort to cut a
stone so that inclusions are not visible through the
table of the finished diamond. The preferred position
for inclusions is under the bezel facets or near the
girdle because they are harder to see there.

4. Almost all diamonds are graded for clarity using the
11 point diamond clarity scale created by the GIA,
including diamonds which were not actually graded
by GIA (every Lumera Diamond is GIA certified). In
grading diamond clarity, the GIA considers the
number, size, color, reflectivity, and position of every
flaw visible under 10x magnification.

5. FL
Flawless: No
inclusions or
blemishes are
visible to a skilled
grader using 10x
magnification.
Extremely rare,
less than 1 in
5000 jewelry
quality diamonds
are rated FL.

6. IF
Internally Flawless: No
inclusions, only
blemishes are visible
to a skilled grader
using 10x
magnification.
FL and IF diamonds
appear identical unless
viewed under 10x
magnification by a
skilled grader. Less than
3% of jewelry quality
diamonds are rated IF.

7. VVS1
VVS2
Very, Very Slightly
Included:
Inclusions are
difficult for a
skilled grader to
see under 10x
magnification.
VVS1 inclusions are typically only
visible from the pavilion, while
VVS2 inclusions are visible from
the crown. In each, the inclusions
are invisible to the eye, appearing
identical to the higher grades
unless viewed under 10x
magnification by a skilled grader.

8. VS1
VS2
Very Slightly Included:
Inclusions are clearly
visible under 10x
magnification but can be
characterized as minor.
Inclusions are not visible to
the naked eye. Perhaps 1 in
100 untrained observers can
detect VS2 inclusions with
the naked eye, on close
inspection under ideal
conditions.

9. SI1
SI2
Slightly Included:
Inclusions are
noticeable to a
skilled grader using
10x magnification.
SI1 is the lowest grade
with flaws often invisible to
the naked eye. SI2
inclusions are usually
visible to the naked eye,
although they will require
close inspection.

10. I1
I2
I3
Included: Inclusions are
obvious under 10x
magnification and may
affect transparency and
brilliance.
I1 diamonds have inclusions
that are almost always visible
to the naked eye.
Because I2-I3 diamonds have
prounounced inclusions, and in
the case of I3 may even affect
the diamond's durability, they
are not offered by Lumera.