Clarity

The clarity of a diamond refers to the identifying characteristics of a stone that distinguish it from all other diamonds.  These characteristics are known as inclusions and blemishes.  Inclusions refer to the identifying characteristics in the interior of a diamond.  Types of inclusions can vary from tiny pinpoints to large feathers and can even appear to be cracks in the diamond.  Blemishes refer to the characteristics on the exterior of the diamond.  Blemishes can vary from small nicks to large scratches, and there can also be extra facets and “naturals”.  Since no two diamonds have the same identical identifying characteristics, you should become very familiar with the diamond you intend to purchase.

Following color, clarity should be the second most important factor to consider when buying a diamond.  The scale which determines the clarity of a diamond begins at internally flawless (IF) and proceeds through several grades of clarity depending on the size and number of inclusions present in a diamond.  The scale ends at imperfect in clarity.  Diamonds that are imperfect in clarity have very obvious inclusions which can be seen by the naked eye, this is, without the aid of a 10X loupe.

Clarity Scale Grades and Definitions:

Internally Flawless: (IF) – Very rare.  Free of all inclusions, few miniscule blemishes.
Very Very Slightly Included: (VVS1/VVS2) – Rare and expensive.  Usually only very minute inclusions visible only under high magnification (30X).
VVS1 – Inclusions very difficult to see and only through the pavilion, they are usually close enough to the surface that they can be removed by repolishing the stone.
VVS2 – Inclusions also very difficult to see, although they can be detected through both the pavilion & the crown or top side of diamond.

Very Slightly Included: (VS1/VS2) – Rare to somewhat common, and can be pricey.  Minor inclusions that range from difficult to see for the trained eye, to next to impossible for the untrained eye (under 10X).  Most inclusions are very small and will not be visible through the table of the diamond.
VS1 – Inclusions are visible only through the pavilion (BOTTOM) when using a loupe.
VS2 – Inclusions loupe visible through both the pavilion and the crown (TOP).

Slightly Included: (SI1/SI2/SI3) – Common and affordable.  Considered eye clean to the naked eye (SI1) without the aid of a 10X loupe.  Inclusions are easily seen with the aid of a loupe.
SI1 – Usually will have one obvious inclusion, usually small and not in the table.
SI2 – Will have two or more inclusions which are easily seen with a loupe.  The easiest way to tell the difference between an SI1 & an SI2 is that some inclusions may be eye visible through the pavilion (BOTTOM) in an SI2 diamond.
SI3 – Eye cleanish imperfects meaning they have inclusions that are visible to the unaided eye, but they are difficult to see without a loupe.  This grading is referred to as the “Sellers Grade” since SI3 sounds a lot more appealing than I1.  It improves a diamond’s marketability.  Find the inclusion with a loupe first, then without the aid of a loupe; it should still be difficult to see with the eye.  At this time, some gem labs as well as jewelers do not accept this grade.  However, this will probably change in the future when they realize that its acceptance will be an economic benefit for all because of increased sales of this affordable type of diamond.

Imperfects: (I1/I2/I3) – Very common and generally inexpensive.  Obvious inclusions which are visible to the naked eye (without the aid of a loupe).  In some cases, the diamond’s durability is in question.  They may be difficult to resell and have very low resale value.
I1 – Usually one or two eye visible inclusions.
I2 – Two or more eye visible inclusions.
I3 – Severe inclusions that may threaten the diamond’s durability.