Embarking on the journey to acquire a diamond, be it for an elegant engagement ring or a timeless piece of fine jewelry, necessitates a basic understanding of the diamond clarity chart.
This tool is not merely a guide; it is the key to unlocking the true value and beauty of your chosen diamond.
Diamond clarity refers to the absence of inclusions and blemishes, the minute imperfections that mark every diamond’s unique creation journey.
Clarity significantly influences the diamond’s aesthetic appeal, its captivating brilliance, and, importantly, its value.
As we delve into the intricate world of diamond clarity, we will uncover its impact on your diamond selection process, guiding you towards the perfect blend of diamond specifications.
Table of contents
- Quick Clarity Tips
- What Is Diamond Clarity?
- How Important is Diamond Clarity?
- What is The Diamond Clarity Chart
- Flawless (F)
- Internally Flawless (IF)
- Very Very Slightly Included (VVS1 and VVS2)
- Very Slightly Included (VS1 and VS2)
- Slightly Included (SI1 and SI2)
- Included (I1, I2 and I3)
- How does clarity affect diamond pricing?
- The Best Clarity Grade vs. The Best Clarity Grade for You
- Eye-Cleanliness is More Important Than the Clarity Grade
- Balancing Diamond Clarity in the 4C’s
- Diamond Shape
- Diamond Size
- Different Types of Inclusions In The Diamond Clarity Chart
- Needle
- Cloud
- Diamond Crystal
- Feather
- Pinpoint
- Is Lab Diamond Clarity Better Than Natural Diamonds Clarity?
- Diamond Clarity Chart FAQs
Quick Clarity Tips
Before we dive into the details of diamond clarity, here are some quick tips:
- Eye-clean diamonds are a smart choice: Diamonds that appear clean to the naked eye, even if they have minor inclusions under 10x magnification, can be excellent choices. This is especially true if you’re trying to balance quality with carat weight and cost.
- Consider the diamond shape and size: Some shapes, like round and oval, can hide diamond inclusions better than others. Larger diamonds are more likely to have visible inclusions, so they may require a higher clarity grade.
- Flawless diamonds are extremely rare: Less than 0,5% of all diamonds are graded as flawless. Don’t be discouraged if a flawless diamond isn’t within your budget; diamonds with lower clarity grades can still be stunning.
- Lab grown diamonds can offer excellent value: Lab diamonds often have fewer inclusions than mined diamonds, making them a great choice if you’re looking for a high clarity grade at a lower price point.
What Is Diamond Clarity?
A diamond’s clarity grade is a measure of a diamond’s internal and surface imperfections, often referred to as inclusions, imperfections, blemishes and flaws.
These clarity characteristics can be internal features like tiny crystals, feathers, and clouds, or external features like scratches and chips. We’ll nerd out in a minute or two.
They are natural results of the diamond growth process and can affect a diamond’s sparkle and brilliance by interfering with the path of light through the diamond.
Diamond grading reports from reputable institutions always include a clarity plot a diamonds internal characteristics and where impurities lay in the diamond’s structure.
Think of it as the fingerprint of a diamond. Unqiue to each stone.
How Important is Diamond Clarity?
We ran an extensive survey 2 years ago, and 87% of women stated they prefer a diamond in their engagement ring to be free from visible inclusions.
Most were comfortable slightly compromising on size and color – as long as the diamond looked crisp and clear.
Visible spots and flaws in diamonds can become an eye-sore to the wearer.
Many diamond inclusions and blemishes are too tiny to be seen by anyone other than a trained gemologist.
At the same time, a high diamond clarity grade doesn’t guarantee that a diamond will look beautiful to the naked eye. Other factors, like cut quality and color, can significantly impact a diamond’s beauty.
While flawless diamonds are the most sought after, they’re also extremely rare and expensive. Many diamond professionals recommend choosing a diamond that is “eye-clean,” meaning it has no inclusions visible to the unaided eye.
Eye-clean is the goldilocks-zone.
What is The Diamond Clarity Chart
The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) diamond clarity scale is the industry standard for grading diamond clarity.
The diamond clarity chart is a tool used by diamond graders to classify diamonds based on the number, size, color, and position of clarity characteristics.
All assements are done under 10x magnification.
Here’s a brief overview of the different diamond clarity grades:
Flawless (F)
No visible flaws under 10X magnification.
Internally Flawless (IF)
Internally Flawless diamonds have no inclusions visible under 10x magnification, but they may have minute surface blemishes. These diamonds are extremely rare and highly prized for their clarity.
Very Very Slightly Included (VVS1 and VVS2)
VVS diamonds have tiny inclusions that are extremely difficult for even a trained diamond grader to see under 10x magnification. These diamonds are an excellent choice for those who want a high clarity grade without the price tag of a flawless diamond.
Very Slightly Included (VS1 and VS2)
VS diamonds have minor inclusions that are not typically visible to the naked eye and can only be seen under 10x magnification. These diamonds offer a great balance between quality and cost.
VS1 is our blanket recommendation for diamonds up to 3,00ct.
Slightly Included (SI1 and SI2)
SI1 diamonds have noticeable inclusions under magnification.
You’ll easily find the issue with a jewelers’ loupe.
These inclusions are often not visible to the naked eye, especially in diamonds under 1 carat.
SI2 diamonds have eye visible inclusions, especially in diamonds larger than 1 carat.
However, SI diamonds can still be a good choice for budget-conscious shoppers.
Included (I1, I2 and I3)
I1 diamonds have inclusions that are easily visible to the naked eye.
Certain inclusions will also negatively affect a diamond’s durability and brilliance.
They might be OK to some when used in earrings or other low-wear jewelry, but for engagement rings that are fretted over – avoid if possible.
How does clarity affect diamond pricing?
As with color and carat weight – the higher the clarity grade – the higher the price.
While a high clarity grading can increase a diamond’s price, it doesn’t guarantee that the diamond will be more beautiful or valuable than a diamond with a lower clarity grade.
Just like mined diamonds, lab grown diamonds are graded on the same clarity scale. However, because the lab growth process can be controlled to some extent, lab diamonds often have fewer and smaller inclusions than natural diamonds. This means you can often get a lab diamond with a higher clarity grade for the same price as a natural diamond with a lower clarity grade.
However, it’s important to remember that clarity is just one aspect of a diamond’s quality.
The Best Clarity Grade vs. The Best Clarity Grade for You
Eye-Cleanliness is More Important Than the Clarity Grade
It’s easy to scan over, but diamond clarity is graded at 10x magnification. Not 100x.
ALL diamonds have imperfections if you zoom in enough.
Fortunately, many inclusions are too small to be seen by the naked eye.
That’s why we recommend choosing a diamond that is “eye-clean”. An eye-clean diamond can offer excellent value, as it will appear flawless to the naked eye, even if it has a lower clarity grade.
Your budget is much better utilised to increase the visual appearance of the ring by increasing the color and carat weight.
The best diamond clarity grade for most engagement shoppers will be VS1.
Balancing Diamond Clarity in the 4C’s
When choosing a diamond, it’s important to consider all of the 4C’s: carat weight, cut, color, and clarity.
Each of these factors contributes to a diamond’s overall quality and price.
However, they also interact with each other in complex ways, and balancing them can be a challenge.
Luckily, We’ve got your back.
Diamond Shape
The shape of a diamond can affect how visible inclusions are.
Diamond shapes can hide inclusions better than others, allowing you to opt for a lower clarity grade without compromising the diamond’s appearance:
- Round Brilliant
- Cushion
- Princess
- Radiant
Diamond shapes that have larger open facets that can highlight inclusions:
- Emerald
- Asscher
- Baguette
As you can see above, the inclusions in some VS2 emeralds can be seen since it’s reflected throughout the stone by the facets. Therefore, slightly bumping the clarity is a good idea if you choose a shape like emerald or asscher.
Diamond Size
The size of a diamond can also affect the visibility of inclusions.
Larger diamonds are more likely to have visible inclusions, as they have a larger surface area and more facets for inclusions to hide.
Properly graded VS1 diamonds are generally eye clean up to 3,00ct and even higher.
For diamonds under 1,00ct – VS2 clarity is a safe bet.
Different Types of Inclusions In The Diamond Clarity Chart
Inclusions are internal or external imperfections that can affect a diamond’s clarity. They are a natural result of the diamond growth process and can take many forms. Here are some of the most common types of inclusions:
Needle
Needle inclusions are long, thin, needle-like crystals that can appear white, grey, or black. They are usually not visible to the unaided eye unless they are large or located in the table of the diamond.
Cloud
Clouds are clusters of tiny crystals that can create a hazy or cloudy area in the diamond. They are usually not visible without magnification unless they are large or numerous.
Diamond Crystal
Crystal inclusions are small crystals that got trapped inside the diamond during its formation. They can be of the same material (diamond crystals) or a different material. Their visibility depends on their size, color, and location within the diamond.
Feather
Feathers are small fractures within the diamond that often appear white or transparent. They are usually not visible to the unaided eye unless they are large or located in the table of the diamond.
Pinpoint
Pinpoints are tiny crystals, much smaller than other crystal inclusions. They’re generally very hard to see. However, a cluster of pinpoints can form a cloud, which can affect the diamond’s clarity.
Is Lab Diamond Clarity Better Than Natural Diamonds Clarity?
Lab grown diamonds and natural diamonds are identical in terms of their physical and chemical properties – and the standard diamond clarity chart is used for both.
However, because the lab growth process can be controlled to some extent, lab diamonds often have fewer and smaller inclusions than run-of-the-mill mined diamonds you’ll find in jewelry stores.
This means you can often get a lab diamond with a superior clarity grade for significantly less than a natural diamond with a lower clarity grade.
The higher clarities available without a premium in lab diamonds are a major selling point.
Diamond Clarity Chart FAQs
Which diamond clarity is best?
The best clarity grade issued by the GIA is Flawless (FL). FL diamonds are free from any imperfection and inclusions under 10x magnification.
Which is better VS1 or VS2?
VS1 and VS2 are both Very Slightly Included diamonds, meaning they have minor diamond inclusions that are difficult to see under 10x magnification.
VS1 is a higher clarity grade than VS2, so it has fewer and smaller inclusions.
However, the difference may not be noticeable to the unaided eye, especially in diamonds under one carat.
How can you tell the clarity of a diamond?
A diamond’s clarity is determined by examining the diamond under 10x magnification to identify any internal or external imperfections, known as inclusions and blemishes.
This process is typically performed by an expert gemologist. The clarity grade is then assigned based on the size, number, position, nature, and color of these clarity characteristics. The clarity grade is clearly indicated on the diamond grading report.
What is the lowest quality diamond?
The lowest quality diamond on the GIA clarity scale is Included (I1, I2, and I3), meaning the diamond’s inclusions and/or blemishes that are eye-visible and may compromise the brilliance of a diamond.
Which is better VVS or VS1?
VVS (Very, Very Slightly Included) diamonds have fewer and smaller inclusions than VS1 (Very Slightly Included) diamonds. Therefore, VVS diamonds have a higher clarity grade and are more expensive. However, the inclusions in both VVS and VS diamonds are typically not visible without a jewelers loupe.
What is most important when buying a diamond?
When buying a diamond, all of the Four Cs (Carat, Cut, Color, and Clarity) are important. We do recommend prioritizing cut as a baseline since it greatly affects a diamonds sparkle and appearance. Stick to Ideal and Excellent cut grades.
Is a SI2 diamond good?
SI2 (Slightly Included) diamonds have inclusions might be visible to the naked eye, especially in diamonds over the 1,00ct mark. However, an SI clarity diamond can still be a good choice if you’re looking for value, as these diamonds are typically less expensive than higher clarity grades.
What is the best clarity scale for diamonds?
The GIA’s diamond clarity scale is the most widely used and respected clarity scale in the industry.
What are the various clarity grades?
The diamond clarity chart includes these clarity grades, from best to worst: Flawless (FL), Internally Flawless (IF), Very, Very Slightly Included (VVS1 and VVS2), Very Slightly Included (VS1 and VS2), Slightly Included (SI1 and SI2), and Included (I1, I2, and I3).
