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Clarity Grades
| Type 1: Usually eye clean with no clarity characteristics visible to the unaided eye. | Type 2: Typically shows some eye- visiblecharacteristics hat do not detract from the overall beauty of the gem. | Type 3: Almost always ontains eye-visible clarity characteristics. | |
| Eye Clean | Appears clean to the unaided eye. | Appears clean to the unaided eye. | Appears clean to the unaided eye. |
| Slightly Included | Minute inclusions difficult to see with the unaided eye. | Minor inclusions somewhat easy to see with the unaided eye. | Noticeable inclusions apparent to the unaided eye. |
| Moderately Included | Minor inclusions somewhat easy to see with the unaided eye. | Noticeable inclusions apparent to the unaided eye. | Obvious inclusions very apparent to the unaided eye. |
| Heavily Included | Prominent inclusions that have a negative effect on appearance or durability. | Prominent inclusions that have a negative effect on appearance or durability. | Prominent inclusions that have a negative effect on appearance or durability. |
| Severely Included | Prominent inclusions that have a severe effect on appearance, durability, or both. | Prominent inclusions that have a severe effect on appearance, durability, or both. | Prominent inclusions that have a severe effect on appearance, durability, or both. |
Cut:
Cut refers to the shape or design of a stone, as well as the precision of the stone's proportions and finish. The cutting process reveals the beauty of the gem. Gemstones are facet-cut or cabochon-cut into shapes we are familiar with such as oval, emerald, pear, marquise, round, princess, heart and other.
In addition they can be carved or fashioned into almost any free-form design imaginable. Proportions involve the balance and appeal of the basic design. Finish refers to the details of the workmanship. A well proportioned cut with a fine finish will show a stone's optical properties to its fullest potential. When all factors are even (colour, clarity, and carat weight), a better-cut gem will be more valuable.
Carat:
Gemstones are weighed in units of measure called “Carats”. One carat is divided into 100 'points', so the weight of a gemstone of 50 points is 0.50ct, or half a carat. A carat is equal to one-fifth of a gram. Up to a certain point, the larger a stone is, the more rare it is and the higher the price it will command. For stones that commonly occur in larger sizes, the value may decrease if the gem reaches a size that makes it impractical for jewellery use.
