There is a common mistake that people make when they are looking at buying the most beautiful diamond ring they can afford. Too many people concentrate purely on the size of the diamond or the weight of the diamond.

Of the 4 C’s in grading a diamond – Carat, Colour, Clarity and Cut – it is the importance of clarity that is often overlooked.

A clear look at diamond clarity

Diamond clarity is how clearly a diamond appears.

The key thing to remember is that all diamonds are unique but none of them are perfect.

It’s not hard to see why when you consider that they form underground through the forces of incredible ground pressure and immense heat. It’s only natural that there will be blemishes and flaws.

Any flaws on the surface of the diamond are called ‘blemishes’. Defects inside the diamond are referred to as ‘inclusions’. There will almost always be small or even tiny imperfections on the surface and within the stone.

These blemishes and inclusions have little to no effect on the beauty of the diamond. The fact is that you cannot see most inclusions with the naked eye.

Most inclusions in gem-quality diamonds have no effect to the performance or structural integrity of the diamond. Large clouds can affect how the light is transmitted and sparkles from the diamond. Cracks that are close to or break the surface of the diamond could make the diamond less resistant to fracturing.

Some terms to remember

There are some technical terms and meanings that may confuse the average person.

One term which jewellers and gemmologists use is referring to inclusions as ‘internal characteristics’ rather than flaws. These are what give a natural diamond its character.

Diamonds with the least amount and smallest sized inclusions are given the highest clarity grades. This is reflected in the higher price tag.

The question is – do you want to break your bank buying a diamond with the highest possible clarity or do you want the most affordable and beautiful diamond for your ring?

Keep in mind that the shape of the diamond plays a key role in the overall look and can enhance the diamond clarity.

Different diamond shapes make a difference to clarity. These include:

· Round,

· Princess,

· Oval,

· Marquise,

· Pear and Heart-shaped diamonds

All these shapes do not require as high level of a clarity grade. By using a cut with a brilliant facet pattern, these shapes will naturally hide a number of inclusions. The cut does this through its ability to reflect light from a number of different angles.

A sparkling diamond ring is always going to look better than one that hardly seems to shine at all.

A clear look at diamond clarity

Nearly all diamonds have an impurity that can be anything from the crystals of a different material or even another diamond crystal. The size, number, colour, position and visibility of any inclusions all affect the clarity of a diamond.

Diamond clarity is graded according to the overall appearance of the stone under ten times magnification. Minor blemishes or inclusions can be useful as unique identifying marks – a bit like diamond fingerprints.

With the difference between natural and ‘Lab-made’ or synthetic diamonds becoming more difficult to distinguish, these inclusions or blemishes can be proof that the diamond is of natural origin.

You can see why diamond clarity is both important and can be confusing. That’s why it makes sense to talk to a trusted jeweller who can answer your questions and guide you to the best possible choice of diamond ring. Franco Jewellers are that trusted team

Why choosing Franco Jewellers pays off

With help from Franco Jewellers, you can find a diamond ring that suits your style, your taste and your budget.

Imagine having your own exquisite diamond ring created with the best in quality, craftsmanship and something to treasure for your life? Make it happen today.

It’s the special one on one customer service that goes to show you how special you are.

Talk to Franco Jewellers now – because you’re worth it

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