Grading Clarity (Chapter 11, Key Terms & Key Concepts)

Question 1

Visible to the unaided eye,
without magnification.

Answer 1

Eye-visible

Question 2

Inclusions or
blemishes that establish the clarity grade of
a diamond.

Answer 2

Grade-setting characteristics

Question 3

A map of a diamond’s inclusions,
blemishes, and facet arrangement.

Answer 3

Plot

Question 4

Contrast between an inclusion and
its host gem.

Answer 4

Relief

Question 5

The GIA Diamond Grading System provides a
universally accepted way to communicate
diamond quality.

Answer 5

Key Concept

Question 6

The effect of clarity characteristics on the clarity
grade is based on their size, number, location,
relief, and nature.

Answer 6

Key Concept

Question 7

Large inclusions usually have the greatest
influence on the clarity grade.

Answer 7

Key Concept

Question 8

Because no two diamonds are alike, it’s difficult to
develop a precise description of any clarity grade
except Flawless

Answer 8

Key Concept

Question 9

Blemishes very rarely have an effect on grades
lower than IF.

Answer 9

Key Concept

Question 10

A clarity grade is usually determined by the
largest or most visible characteristics.

Answer 10

Key Concept

Question 11

VS, SI, and I stones can have eye-visible
inclusions.

Answer 11

Key Concept

Question 12

Accurate clarity grading includes consideration of
the size and shape of the diamond in relation to
its clarity characteristics.

Answer 12

Key Concept

Question 13

Shows no inclusions and no blemishes when examined under 10x magnification.

Answer 13

Flawless (FL)

Question 14

Shows only insignificant blemishes-no inclusions-when examined under 10x magnification.

Answer 14

Internally Flawless (IF)

Question 15

Diamond contains minute inclusions that are difficult to see under 10x magnification.

Answer 15

Very Very Slightly Included (VVS)

Question 16

Diamond contain minor inclisions that range from difficult (VS1) to somewhat easy (VS2) to see under 10x magnification.

Answer 16

Very Slightly Included (VS1 and VS2)

Question 17

Diamond contains noticeable inclusions that are easy (SI1) or very easy (SI2) to see under 10x magnification.

Answer 17

Slightly Included (SI1 and SI2)

Question 18

Diamond contains inclusions that are obvious under 10x magnification. (I1) are quite visible to the unaided eye. (I2) are easily visible and (I3) are extremely ease to see. They affect the stone’s durability.

Answer 18

Included (I1, I2, and I3)

Question 19

The designation SI means

Answer 19

Slightly Included.

Question 20

Diamonds with minute inclusions that range from difficult to very difficult to see under 10X are classified

Answer 20

VVS1 and VVS2

Question 21

In most cases, the easier it is to see a clarity characteristic, the

Answer 21

lower the clarity grade.

Question 22

A round brilliant-cut VVS diamond could have

Answer 22

a small pinpoint under a lower half facet.

Question 23

Inclusions are usually most visible when they’re located

Answer 23

directly under the table.

Question 24

A feather that reaches a bezel surface as well as the surface of the pavilion main directly under that bezel

Answer 24

should be plotted on both the crown and pavilion diagrams.

Question 25

One factor used to determine the clarity grade of a diamond is an inclusion’s

Answer 25

location.

Question 26

A stone with only a few extra facets on its pavilion that can’t be seen face-up should be graded

Answer 26

Flawless (FL)

Question 27

On a plot, drawing a characteristic only in green indicates that it’s

Answer 27

a blemish

Question 28

The more an inclusion differs in color from its host diamond,

Answer 28

the more obvious it is.

Question 29

In a stone with these clarity characteristics, which would probably be the grade-setting characteristic?

Answer 29

feather.

Question 30

Blemishes don’t usually affect the clarity grade in diamonds below

Answer 30

Internally Flawless (IF)

Question 31

Inclusions or blemishes that establish the clarity grade of a diamond are collectively called

Answer 31

grade-setting-characteristics

Question 32

VS1 and VS2 stones might have

Answer 32

minor included crystals and feathers.

Question 33

Which of these would disqualify a stone from being graded IF?

Answer 33

Pinpoint