Degree of purity / purity (clarity) for diamonds
Clarity is one of the 4Cs alongside color , cut and carat .
What degrees of purity are there?
Learn more about purity in the official GIA video (currently only available in English).
The three most important rules for purity
Number 1:
The smaller and fewer inclusions a diamond has, the higher its purity and the more it shines because the penetrating light can be reflected unhindered.
Number 2:
The purer the diamond, the higher its value.
Number 3:
The larger the diamond, the rarer it is to be completely free of inclusions - i.e. flawless. Therefore, the price per carat for flawless stones increases exponentially.
Purity levels
Purity level FL
Extremely flawless
FL stands for the English “Flawless” , i.e. flawless, but in the professional world it is called extremely flawless. The diamond has no inclusions or blemishes inside or out. Highly flawless diamonds with FL clarity are extremely rare.
Purity level IF
Flawless
IF stands for “Internally Flawless” . There are no impurities inside the diamond. Imperfections can occasionally appear on the surface of the diamond - but usually only in the form of small polish residues that arise when the diamond is cut. This is indicated in GIA certificates with the words: “IF - Minor Details of Polish”. These are not visible to the naked eye and are only marginally reflected in the price of the diamond. Flawless diamonds with IF clarity are very rare.
Purity level VVS1 - VVS2
Very, very small inclusions
The very, very small inclusions are difficult to see even under 10x magnification. Diamonds of this quality are the best that most jewelers have on offer. They have outstanding fire and brilliance.
Purity level VS1 - VS2
Very small inclusions
Diamonds of these clarity grades have inclusions that are not visible to the naked eye, but cost significantly less than stones of higher clarity grades, which is why they often represent the best value for money .
Purity level SI1 - SI2
Small inclusions
These diamonds have either two medium inclusions or many small inclusions . The inclusions may be visible to the naked eye. Pay attention to the location of the inclusions. Diamonds with small inclusions offer outstanding value for money.
Purity at Yorxs
At Yorxs you will only find the best eight levels . So-called piqué diamonds (purity: SI3/I1, I2 and I3) are not offered on our stock exchange. The inclusions of these last three quality levels are clearly visible to the naked eye and therefore do not meet the quality standards set by Yorxs for a diamond.
In addition to these visible impurities, diamonds with a clarity of SI3 or worse may experience a loss of radiance. The inclusions refract the light penetrating the diamond. Another disadvantage of diamonds with a clarity of SI3 or worse is that the impurities can significantly affect the stability of the carbon lattice and, under certain circumstances, for example with strong point loads, fractures can occur in the contaminated areas.
The three most important rules for purity
Pay attention to the location of the inclusions. Impurities located in the center of the diamond interrupt the light reflected from the bottom of the stone to the table. Therefore, the further an inclusion is in the center of a diamond, the more noticeable it is when viewed with the naked eye. For diamonds with a clarity of SI1 or SI2, Yorxs recommends that you look at the location of the inclusions on the certificate. This is always possible with GIA certificates (reports for diamonds of 1 carat and more), as the position and type of inclusions are marked there. For various stones we also have original photos that we can provide you with. You are welcome to contact our diamond experts so that they can check the stone for you for the positioning and visibility of the inclusions.
Purity - inclusions and blemishes
When it comes to purity, a distinction is made between inclusions and blemishes. Inclusions are inside the diamond and blemishes are on the surface. Common inclusions are crystals, feathers and clouds. Flaws are not visible to the naked eye and are rarely reflected in the price or quality of a diamond. You can find more information about the individual types of inclusions and blemishes under “Inclusions & Flaws”.
Creation of impurities
Impurities in diamonds arise, for example, from the incorporation of minerals into the diamond's atomic lattice. Even after crystallization, impurities such as stress cracks can arise due to high fluctuations in temperature and pressure.
Find out more about impurities and inclusions in diamonds in our Yorxs magazine.
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