Clarity refers to the internal and external flaws and blemishes a diamond has. All diamonds have some sort of flaw, unless graded “Flawless” – which are extremely rare and thus expensive. The scale goes like this:
- Flawless (FL),
- Internally Flawless (IF, only surface or polish flaws),
- Very Very Slightly Included to the First Degree (VVS1),
- Very Very Slightly Included to the Second Degree (VVS2),
- Very Slightly Included to the First Degree (VS1),
- Very Slightly Included to the Second Degree (VS2),
- Slightly Included to the First Degree (SI1),
- Slightly Included to the Second Degree (SI2),
- Included to the First Degree (I1),
- Included to the Second Degree (I2)
- and Included to the Third Degree (I3).
We recommend SI1 as a starting point, as we can source 100% eye-clean diamonds (no inclusions or flaws visible to the naked eye). We offer 100% money back guarantee that our GIA certified SI1 diamonds will be eye-clean. Only a trained gemmologist with a loupe will be able to spot the difference.
Diamond Clarity
Clarity is a very important factor in diamond grading. Diamonds are graded on a clarity scale with FL (flawless), or "loupe clean" being the highest clarity. This means the diamond has the highest degree of purity or freedom from inclusions; some might say even say transparency or cleanness. Inclusions are formed in the crystallizing or forming process of a diamond; they are usually naturally occurring. Some types of inclusions include carbon spots, other minerals, and other crystal inclusions such as garnet. Inclusions may look like fractures, clouds, feathers, stains, bubbles or tiny crystals.
Clarity Grading Chart
Below are the foremost clarity grading scales ranged together with impressions of clarities drawn in top view on diamond diagrams.
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