How are 'clarity' and 'inclusions' defined in diamond grading?

• A. Clarity refers to color saturation; inclusions are external blemishes only
• B. Clarity refers to the absence or presence and visibility of inclusions and blemishes; inclusions are internal features, blemishes are surface flaws
• C. Clarity refers to cut quality; inclusions refer to fluorescence
• D. Clarity is determined by weight; inclusions by density

Answer: (B)

Clarity in diamond grading centers on how free the stone is from imperfections and how visible any flaws are. This involves two kinds of features: inclusions and blemishes. Inclusions are internal features trapped inside the diamond—things like tiny crystals, clouds, or fractures. Blemishes are flaws on the surface, such as nicks, scratches, scratches, or naturals on the girdle. Graders assess whether these features are present and, importantly, how noticeable they are under proper viewing, typically at 10x magnification, and sometimes to the eye. This distinction matters because both internal and surface flaws can affect light passage and overall brilliance, as well as the durability of the stone.

It’s not about color or cut quality, and it’s not about fluorescence or weight. The key idea is the presence and visibility of internal versus surface features that define the clarity grade.