Clarity

What are FL (Flawless) clarity diamonds? | Rare Carat

Rian here - we’ve written these clarity grade articles for you to get the nitty gritty on each diamond clarity grade. You can also get the big picture: view our page on the diamond clarity scale or read more posts in diamonds 101 about specific diamond clarity grades. Enjoy!

The Details About FL Clarity Diamonds

Flawless diamonds make up less than 1% of the diamonds in the whole world, so needless to say, their price tags reflect their rarity.

Yes, flawless diamonds are the rarest of the rare…the unicorns of the diamond world. But they are worth it, right? Because they are perfect?

I’m about to burst your bubble - do you think a ‘flawless’ diamond is actually flawless? Well if you do you’re a damn fool1, because technically a diamond is deemed ‘flawless’ if it is inclusion and blemish free under 10x magnification.

Flawless is Relative

If a blemish can be found under 20x magnification, would you still think it was ‘flawless’? My point is this, don’t weigh yourself down too much by searching for that ‘flawless’ diamond, as it basically doesn’t exist.

And even if you do end up finding that unicorn, know the most perfectly flawless of diamonds can be ruined by a bad cut. A poor-quality cut can have a hugely negative impact on the brilliance of the stone, dampening the sparkle and scintillation. If you insist on going for a flawless grade diamond, make sure you are also getting a stone with an excellent cut grade and perfect proportions.

Finally, and on a more ‘reflective’ note, to me there seems to be some ‘flawed’ reasoning that I hear behind wanting a flawless diamond to present to your one true love.

In theory, the love you have for your partner is pure and perfect, and some would argue that they want something pure and perfect to represent that love. Fair enough. But in real life folks, is your love for someone always pure and perfect?

IF Diamond Clarity >

Dr. Rian Mulcahy
Dr. Rian Mulcahy
Rian is officially a Diamond PhD - just ping us if you’d like to read her fascinating 200-page thesis, titled Facets of Value: An Investigation into the Formation of Worth in the Diamond Market. She has consulted various firms all along the pipeline, from the rough diamond market to the recycled diamond industry. She holds an MA in Globalisation and Development from University College Cork and a PhD in the Sociology of Diamond Valuation from the London School of Economics.