The Four C's

Carat | Color | Cut | Clarity

Clarity refers to both the presence of internal and external features in a diamond. Internal features are called "inclusions" and can include breaks, foreign bodies or natural elements in the diamond. External features are called "blemishes" and include surface irregularities and scratches. Both of these features lower the clarity grade and the value of the diamond, but in most cases they have very little effect on a stone's beauty or durability. In fact, inclusions help identify a diamond as no two diamonds have exactly the same inclusions. The clarity scale rates diamonds from flawless to imperfect.

No one "C" is more important than any other. They all factor equally in the price of a diamond, so purchasing a flawless diamond that is "K" in color, may end up being equivalent to a diamond that is colorless but very included.