Potential means what regarding a diamond's ability to improve clarity?

• A. Diamond that can be repolished to improve color to D grade.
• B. Diamond that can be repolished to improve clarity to an Internally Flawless grade.
• C. Diamond that has potential to accrue more carat weight.
• D. Diamond that cannot be improved.

Answer: (B)

Potential in this context is about whether a diamond’s clarity could be improved with further processing. If the flaws that limit the current clarity can be removed by repolishing, the stone has the possibility to achieve a higher clarity grade. In the strongest case, removing enough material could eliminate internal flaws, potentially giving an Internally Flawless grade. This is why the best answer describes potential as the ability to raise clarity through repolishing. Color and carat are separate considerations—color relates to hue and tone, not the removal of inclusions, and carat reflects weight, not clarity. If a diamond is described as having potential to improve, that means it isn’t fixed in its current clarity and could be enhanced through appropriate polishing (with some weight loss).