Introduction

When we speak of a diamond's clarity, we are referring to the presence of identifying characteristics on (blemishes) and within (inclusions) the stone. If you think about the incredible amount of pressure it takes to create a diamond and the fact that natural diamonds are not grown in a sterile laboratory, it's no surprise that most diamonds have flaws.

Basically there are two types of flaws: inclusions and blemishes. Inclusions refer to internal flaws and blemishes refer to surface flaws. However, in the diamond grades listed below, you'll note that none of the grades include the term "blemish" -- for the purposes of grading diamonds, all flaws are called "inclusions." Inclusions include flaws such as air bubbles, cracks, and non-diamond minerals found in the diamond. Blemishes include scratches, pits, and chips. Some blemishes occur during the cutting processes (most often at the girdle). Diamonds with no or few inclusions and blemishes are more highly valued than those with less clarity because they are rarer.

After carat weight, Clarity has the most influence on cost. But grading inclusion size, quantity, colour, reflectivity, placement and type is difficult; graders are humans trying to mediate between buyers and sellers. Ultimately Diamond grading reports are just "expert opinions" under 10 times magnification. Even GIA has given different grades for the same diamond.

Diamonds are graded for clarity under 10x loupe magnification. Grades range from Flawless (diamonds which are completely free of blemishes and inclusions), to Included 3 (diamonds which possess large, heavy blemishes and inclusions that are visible to the naked eye).

Clarity Grades

• FL (Flawless) Clarity
• IF (Internally Flawless) Clarity
• VVS1 (Very Very Slightly Included 1) Clarity
• VVS2 (Very Very Slightly Included 2) Clarity
• VS1 (Very Slightly Included 1) Clarity
• VS2 (Very Slightly Included 2) Clarity
• SI1 (Slightly Included 1) Clarity
• SI2 (Slightly Included 2) Clarity
• SI3 (Slightly Included 3) Clarity
• I1 (Included 1) Clarity
• I2 (Included 2) & I3 (Included 3) Clarity

FL (Flawless) Clarity

FL clarity diamonds show no inclusions or surface blemishes even when viewed under a microscope at extreme magnification. One of nature's great miracles, this is the rarest clarity grade, and the most costly, depending on other quality factors.

IF (Internally Flawless) Clarity

IF clarity diamonds show no internal inclusions under 10 power magnification, but it might have very tiny blemishes or transparent polish marks on the surface of the diamond. Diamonds with an IF clarity grade are extremely rare, and the value will reflect this.

VVS1 (Very Very Slightly Included 1) Clarity

VVS1 clarity diamonds are very, very slightly included to the first degree, which means that there are minute inclusions that are very difficult to see under 10 power magnification by a trained gemologist. The average person would have to look at the diamond for a long time under magnification to discern the very tiny pinpoints or polish marks that distinguish this grade from IF. With a VVS1 clarity grade, there is no possibility of seeing any inclusion with the unaided eye. For someone who values purity in a diamond, this grade offers a very rare clarity at a lower price than FL or IF clarity grades.

VVS2 (Very Very Slightly Included 2) Clarity

VVS2 clarity diamonds are very, very slightly included to the second degree, which means that there are tiny inclusions that are very difficult to see under 10 power magnification by a trained gemologist. The average person would have to look at the diamond for a long time under magnification to discern the very tiny pinpoints, feathers, or polish marks that distinguish this grade from IF or VVS1. With a VVS2 clarity grade, there is no possibility of seeing any inclusion with the unaided eye. Diamonds with this quality grade are very rare. For someone who values purity in a diamond, this grade offers a very rare clarity at a lower price than IF, and slightly less than a VVS1 clarity grade, depending on other factors.

VS1 (Very Slightly Included 1) Clarity

VS1 clarity diamonds have small inclusions such as pinpoints, included crystals, and feathers that are visible with some difficulty under 10 power magnification. With a clarity grade of VS1, there is no possibility of seeing any inclusion with the unaided eye. Diamonds with this grade offer a beautiful clarity typically free of visible blemishes at a great value compared with VVS or IF diamonds.

VS2 (Very Slightly Included 2) Clarity

VS2 clarity diamonds have small inclusions such as pinpoints, included crystals, and feathers that are visible with some difficulty under 10 power magnification, and are almost never visible to the unaided eye. Diamonds with this grade offer a beautiful clarity at a great value compared with VVS or IF diamonds and will be a slightly lower price than a diamond with VS1 clarity.

SI1 (Slightly Included 1) Clarity

SI1 clarity diamonds have small inclusions such as pinpoints, included crystals, knots, clouds, and feathers that can be seen somewhat easily under power 10 magnification. Inclusions in diamonds with SI1 grade clarity might be visible to the unaided eye. Diamonds with this grade offer an excellent value compared with VS2 or VS1 quality diamonds.

SI2 (Slightly Included 2) Clarity

SI2 clarity diamonds have a clarity grade of slightly included to the second degree. Diamonds with an SI2 clarity grade have small inclusions such as pinpoints, included crystals, knots, clouds, and feathers that can be seen somewhat easily under power 10 magnification. Inclusions in diamonds with SI1 grade clarity might be visible to the unaided eye. Diamonds with this grade offer an excellent value compared with SI1 or VS2 quality diamonds.

SI3 (Slightly Included 3) Clarity

Inclusions in diamonds with SI3 clarity grade might be visible to the unaided eye. SI3 clarity diamonds represent excellent value when compared to SI2 and SI1 quality diamonds.

The SI3 clarity grade was born out of the desire of the diamond industry to incorporate an extra grade to identify diamonds in the lower range of the clarity grade. Many complained that there is too wide a gap between the SI2 and the I1 clarity grades.

This diamond might be slightly deeper or shallower, or have a slightly larger or smaller table facet compared to a diamond with an Ideal cut, probably resulting from the cutter striking a balance of cut and carat weight retention. Diamonds with a Good cut grade reflect the most light entering them and represent an excellent value.

I1 (Included 1) Clarity

I1 clarity diamonds have inclusions numerous enough or of a nature that can be very easily seen under 10 power magnification and may be visible to the unaided eye if the location of the inclusion is known to the viewer. Diamonds of this clarity represent an incredible value over an SI and higher clarity grades, especially for someone not as sensitive to the presence of inclusions and who wants to maximize size (or weight) of the diamond.

I2 (Included 2) & I3 (Included 3) Clarity

At Diamond Manufacturers we do not carry I2 and I3 clarity diamonds due to the large number of visible inclusions these possess.

Understanding Clarity Grades

High Clarity is symbolic of "purity" and rarity. Diamond 'quality' traditionally meant 'Clarity'. Flawless and VVS (Very Very Slight) diamonds are said to be "investment grade", but that is nonsense; demand and liquidity of medium clarity, SI (Slightly Included) and VS (Very Slight) makes them easier to sell or trade up. Inclusions in diamonds are rarely "flaws" that result in breakage like, say, emeralds. Medium clarity diamonds are just as brilliant as Flawless diamonds.

Remember than from a clarity point of view all eye clean diamonds will look the same to the unaided eye whether the clarity grade is Flawless or SI2.

EGL and EGL USA introduced an SI3 grade in 1992. Because of the big price difference between I1 and SI2, many dealers used SI3 for decades. The World Federation of Diamond Bourses wants labs to introduce SI3, most refuse, but most have softened their SI2 grades.

Resources say that 1 in 100 people can see inclusions with the unaided eye in a diamond with a VS2 clarity grade, however there is a very small percentage of VS2 diamonds where most people would be able to see minute inclusions when looking closely. Having said this, the concept that your diamond will definitely be eye clean with SI2 clarity is not correct. To ensure the diamond is eye clean you will need a VS1 or VS2 clarity grade.

While many people believe that all diamonds with SI clarity grade are eye clean, this is far from true. There can be visible differences between two diamonds with the same SI clarity grade, and this will depend on the number, type, size, and location of the inclusions. When choosing a SI clarity grade diamond it’s also important to consider the location of the inclusions as an inclusion on the middle or top of the diamond can affect the dispersion of light and make a diamond appear less brilliant. On the other hand, there is a large percentage of SI2 clarity grade diamonds which are eye clean, and even when they are not the inclusions may be possible to be hidden behind a part of the mounting. You can substantially reduce the cost of a diamond if you see that the inclusion will be hidden behind the mounting and not affect the beauty of the diamond.

You can get an excellent value with diamonds that have Slight Inclusions (SI1, SI2, SI3), but you should consult with our diamond experts as to whether any of the inclusions can be visible to the naked eye and if so, will they be able to hidden by the mounting.

What Clarity Grade is best to buy?

The answer looks simple, FL (Flawless) is the best clarity grade and therefore the best to buy. The average person can’t tell the difference without a magnifying loupe between FL and VS1 clarity diamonds, however everyone can tell the huge difference in price.

For those who have a flexible budget: VS1 or VS2

For those people who have a limited budget: SI1 or SI2

For those who prefer size over quality: SI3 or I1