What Does “Eye Clean” Mean in Diamonds?
If you have dedicated any time into diamond research, you have likely come across the phrase ‘eye clean.’
But what does ‘eye clean’ actually mean?
The term eye clean refers to a diamond that presents no visible inclusions to the naked eye, when viewed under regular conditions, without magnification.
In other words, even if this diamond may contain natural characteristics internally, they cannot be seen under everyday life conditions.
Comprehending the concept of eye clean is a very important step in selecting the perfect diamond for you- and it is something our jewellery designers discuss with clients daily, as a part of our jewellery knowledge and education process, where we take the necessary time to educate you, allowing you to make the right choice for you, with our support and guidance.
Why Almost All Diamonds Contain Inclusions
Diamonds are formed deep within the Earth under immense heat and pressure over billions of years.
During the natural growth process, tiny characteristics can become trapped within the crystal structure.
These internal characteristics are known as inclusions.
Inclusions may appear as black marks, small crystals, feather fractures, clouds or carbon traces. Most inclusions are microscopically tiny and only visible under 10x magnification, which is how diamonds are graded on the diamond clarity scale.
In many cases, these inclusions have no implant on the visual beauty of the diamond, or are not visible to the naked eye at all.
Why “Eye Clean” Matters More Than the Clarity Grade
Common misconceptions from diamond buyers is that the diamond clarity grade is the determining factor of how clean the diamond looks.
In reality, two diamonds of the exact same clarity can present completely differently.
This is the case because each diamond houses an individual chemical makeup and unique inclusions that vary in size, location, colour, transparency and how they interact with light.
For instance, a badly graded VS2 diamond may show visible inclusions to the naked eye, and a well selected SI1 diamond might appear perfectly clean. This is why physically inspecting diamonds is so important.
At MDT DESIGN we feel it is of utmost importance for our clients to understand the diamond grading criteria (the 4 c’s) and therefor we take the time to take you through all the necessary knowledge.
Every diamond we consider presenting to our clients is personally inspected by our master jewellers and diamond graders to ensure it lives up to our high standards beyond the diamond certification alone.
If a diamond is not eye clean, we simply will not sell it. That is our standard.
The Diamond Clarity Grades and Eye Clean Diamonds
Diamond clarity is graded on a scale from Flawless (FL) to Included (I).
Flawless diamonds contain zero inclusions, even under magnification- flawless diamonds are extremely rare and often come with hefty price tags.
When considering your diamonds grade in the real world a VS1 and VS2 can also appear eye clean, along with the occasional SI1 diamond (if carefully selected)
These grades often provide the best balance of beauty, rarity and value.
Explore the clarity scale in more detail, with our full Diamond Clarity guide and individual clarity grade pages:
• Flawless Diamonds
• Internally Flawless Diamonds
• VVS1 vs VVS2 Diamonds
• SI1 vs SI2 Diamonds
Why Jeweller Selection Matters
Whilst diamond certificate are very valuable in assisting us to understand a diamonds grading, they should never be the only factor used to judge your diamonds quality.
Two diamonds with identical diamond certificates can still appear to be very different in person.
This is why selecting experienced jewellers is of utmost important when selecting your diamond.
We at MDT DESIGN guide our clients through the diamond selection process personally, showing you the subtle differences between diamonds to help you to understand exactly what you are choosing, and what it is that you see value in.
As each and every diamond we present has already been meticulously inspected for beauty and performance, you can feel confident knowing that your diamond will appear clean, bright and full of life.
MDT DESIGN’s Diamond Philosophy
At MDT DESIGN, our philosophy when it comes to diamonds is simple:
A diamond should look beautiful when you are wearing it.
We will not sell or stock diamonds with visible inclusions to the naked eye and we can present you with some loose stones of varying gradings to compare, asses and understand.
In fact we focus on selecting exceptional stones with the perfect balance of brilliance and clarity- whether that diamond is for a custom engagement ring, a tension set design, or a bespoke jewellery pieces handmade in Melbourne on our Collins St Workshop.
Looking for Your Perfect Diamond?
Choosing the right diamond is a significantly personal journey, and understanding what an eye clean diamond is, is just one part of the process.
If you would like expert guidance, we invite you to visit our Melbourne boutique or book a private diamond consultation with our jewellers.
Together we can help you select a diamond that is not only technically excellent – but truly beautiful to the eye.
