Matching Diamond Clarity Grades Are Not Always Matching

Every single day, millions of diamonds trade hands at many different levels. At the consumer level, wherever you decide to shop, there are a few variables known as the 4 C's of diamond grading that should be understood before buying.

When dealing with diamond clarity there are more factors than meet the eye in terms of what to look for. I am baffled at the amount of people whoa inquire about t this little known issue on diamond clarity ,on diamonds they have already purchased elsewhere.

The fact that diamonds are nothing other than piece of charcoal that has crystallized is where this variable stems from. A diamond is made from charcoal, quite literally, and many times crystal charcoal appears in diamonds as little black spec. Make sure, wherever you buy, to ask for a diamond that has zero black inside of it.

Clarity grades for diamonds are discussed best by the GIA who trains gemologists the art of diamond grading. View it here http://www.gia.edu/lab-reports-services/about-the-4cs/index.html

As most diamond shoppers are unaware, this one single variable that I am addressing can impact the price of one single diamond in the one carat range easily by $800-$1300. What the public is doing however, is looking at a price list from a giant diamond retailer online, and if they're comparing 3 seperate diamonds of the exact same clarity grade. Then they opt for the cheapest of the three diamonds.

Two completely identical diamonds in grading terminology, with a VS1 grade for example, can vary substantially in price and this requires some further investigation. As matter of fact, I make a point to tell everyone was buying a diamond to make sure the request that the seller looks at the diamond and confirm to them that there is no black in the diamond.

What will happen is this, he purchased the cheapest of the three diamonds because it looks like a good deal right? The certificate containing all of the grading information says that it is a VS2 clarity just like the other more expensive diamonds. Unbeknownst to you however, the more expensive diamonds were free of black inclusions, that's why this diamond is a deal. Make a note of this, when comparing stones, look at the diamond grading report diamond plotting section or diagram which shows you where the inclusions are. A diamond certificate which has this fingerprinting, or plotting, will detail all of the inclusions for the diamond.

Look at this plotting diagram, and see it states that any of the inclusions are 'crystal'. If the diagram and plotting shows the term 'crystal', I would say that it is almost certain that the stone has black in it. If it doesn't seem to matter, then why is this diamond selling for less? Fact of the matter is, the diamond is simply worth less money.

When you purchase a diamond like this, you will not notice the black right away. With time passing by, the owner of the diamond will eventually start to see this small black debris and question what the heck it is. The inclusions become more easy to notice especially when the diamond becomes a little dirty from regular wear.

Once discovered, a feeling of 'Why didn't they tell me that?' comes about, and the little black specs will become an area of focus. Having said all that, choose a diamond that has no black in it. Be specific to the retailer, by saying what you don't want in your diamond. Have the seller show you under a microscope that your diamond is free of black, and to compare one that has black in it so that you can see the difference. Aim to deal with someone helpful like that. They are likely the honest ones in the business.

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