Even though they neither mar its beauty nor endanger its durability, the fewer and smaller the inclusions are, the less they will interfere with the passage of light through the Diamond, and the more the Diamond will sparkle. Diamonds, more than any other gemstone, have the ability to produce the maximum amount of brilliance. To determine a Diamond's clarity, it is examined under 10-times magnification by a trained eye, and graded accordingly as in the chart above left. The less colour a Diamond has the more white light can pass effortlessly through and be dispersed as dazzling rainbows of colour on top. Still, colour is really a personal choice.
Many people confuse the cut with the shape of a Diamond.
Actually, the cut only refers to the arrangement of a Diamond's facets. So, whatever its shape, a well cut Diamond is the work of a master cutter. That's because when cut to good proportions, the Diamond is better able to handle light, creating more brilliance and more sparkle, and therefore commands a higher value. Don't worry if you can't tell wether a Diamond is well cut or not. When you are choosing your Diamond, just make sure you hold it up and see how the light dances around it.