Clarity

Jewelry Basics
Know Your Fine Jewelry: Clarity

Clarity of a gemstone is the grading of a gem by the amount of inclusions found within the gemstone, inclusions are small fractures, hollowed areas, or small traces of minerals, and veils, these inclusions are in reality the delightful natural personality of gemstones, and it is rare to find a gemstone to be inclusion free.

Gemstone clarity is determined by the amount of inclusions within the gem. There are some gems that belong to a virtually inclusion-free frame of reference, meaning the gemstone is known for its minute amounts of inclusions and are not easily seen by the naked eye. There are also gemstones that belong in the usually included rating of clarity for gems, meaning that it is not uncommon to find inclusions with in the gem. As well as gems belonging to the almost always-included group, which are categorized as gemstones that are known to have inclusions as a naturally occurring gem characteristic.

With the purchase of any gemstone, you get what you pay for.

Clarity factors of fractures, which is the natural way a gemstone breaks and veils are considered to make the gemstone weak, as they are fine breaks and flaws that naturally occur in the very best gemstones, but these inclusions come with the risk of breakage. While shopping for your fine jewelry, keep in mind the amount of harsh treatment your jewelry will be undergoing as you go through you normal day activities, for instance the clarity of your jewelry should be kept in mind while purchasing rings of gemstone, as rings usually take on more rugged activity than bracelet and necklace jewelry pieces.

Having been created in nature, almost all gems will be included in some capacity, which adds to the clarity of character and individuality of the gemstones.

It is very rare to find a gemstone to be absolute in flawlessness concerning inclusions, and the inclusions within a gem determine the value of the gem.

Gemstones that have inclusions that are easily detected or eye visible is very rarely used in the jewelry making. Gems with minor inclusions detected or visible to the eye are often faceted gemstones and used in jewelry. Gemstones that are almost always included, even those gems such as emerald and ruby, found with obvious inclusions are faceted for use in gemstone jewelry.

Taking into consideration the clarity of gemstones while shopping for your body jewelry, handmade jewelry, and custom jewelry, is a good idea for values sake, as well as wear-ability.

We should keep in mind that the gemstone is a gift to us from the earth. Being pleased with agreeable inclusions from the standpoint of its clarity is a gift of thankfulness for one of the earth's most precious blessing to us. Moreover, being able to celebrate the milestones of our lives in the manner of personal jewelry, while living in harmony with one of the earths most natural and abundantly bounties of gemstones is a true compliment to all.