Clarity
Natural diamonds are the result of carbon being exposed to tremendous heat and pressure deep within the earth. This process can produce various internal characteristics called 'inclusions' and external characteristics called blemishes. These two types of characteristics determine the Clarity value of a diamond.
Blemishes include scratches and smudges on the diamond's surface. The inclusions are generally on the inside, and some can cause damage to the surface of the stone. A diamond's clarity grading consists of an evaluation of the number, size, nature, and position of these characteristics, and how these affect the overall appearance of the stone.
Like humans with different characteristics that make us unique, the characteristics of the clarity of a diamond are different in order to help experts distinguish real diamonds from similarities. Since no two diamonds have inclusions that stay the same, they can help identify each stone.
The GIA clarity scale has 6 categories and a total of 11 classes