Understanding Diamond Clarity: A Complete Guide
Diamond clarity is one of the Four Cs that determine a diamond's quality and value. Understanding clarity grades—especially the popular VS1, VS2, and SI1 grades—helps you make informed decisions and find the perfect balance between quality and budget.
This comprehensive guide explains diamond clarity, the grading scale, what each grade means, and how to choose the right clarity for your jewelry.
What is Diamond Clarity?
Diamond clarity refers to the presence (or absence) of internal characteristics called inclusions and external characteristics called blemishes. These are natural identifying marks that formed during the diamond's crystallization process deep within the Earth.
Key terms:
- Inclusions: Internal characteristics (crystals, feathers, clouds, needles)
- Blemishes: External characteristics (scratches, nicks, pits)
- Eye-clean: No inclusions visible to the naked eye (even if visible under magnification)
Important fact: Most diamonds contain some inclusions. Completely flawless diamonds are extremely rare and expensive.
The Diamond Clarity Grading Scale
The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) established the industry-standard clarity scale with 11 grades:
Flawless Category
FL (Flawless):
- No inclusions or blemishes visible under 10x magnification
- Extremely rare (less than 1% of diamonds)
- Highest price premium
- Museum-quality diamonds
IF (Internally Flawless):
- No inclusions visible under 10x magnification
- Only insignificant surface blemishes
- Very rare (less than 3% of diamonds)
- Premium pricing
Very Very Slightly Included Category
VVS1 (Very Very Slightly Included 1):
- Minute inclusions extremely difficult to see under 10x magnification
- Invisible to the naked eye
- Excellent quality
- High price point
VVS2 (Very Very Slightly Included 2):
- Minute inclusions very difficult to see under 10x magnification
- Invisible to the naked eye
- Excellent quality
- Slightly less expensive than VVS1
Very Slightly Included Category (Most Popular)
VS1 (Very Slightly Included 1):
- Minor inclusions difficult to see under 10x magnification
- Almost always eye-clean
- Excellent value for quality
- Popular choice for engagement rings
VS2 (Very Slightly Included 2):
- Minor inclusions somewhat easy to see under 10x magnification
- Usually eye-clean (especially in smaller diamonds)
- Outstanding value
- Most popular clarity grade
Slightly Included Category (Best Value)
SI1 (Slightly Included 1):
- Noticeable inclusions easy to see under 10x magnification
- Often eye-clean, especially in smaller diamonds and certain cuts
- Excellent value for budget-conscious buyers
- Very popular for larger diamonds
SI2 (Slightly Included 2):
- Noticeable inclusions very easy to see under 10x magnification
- May be visible to naked eye in larger diamonds
- Good value if eye-clean
- Requires careful selection
Included Category (Budget Options)
I1 (Included 1):
- Obvious inclusions visible under 10x magnification
- Usually visible to naked eye
- May affect brilliance and durability
- Budget-friendly option
I2 (Included 2):
- Obvious inclusions easily visible to naked eye
- Affects brilliance and transparency
- May compromise durability
- Very budget-conscious choice
I3 (Included 3):
- Prominent inclusions very easily visible to naked eye
- Significantly affects brilliance, transparency, and durability
- Lowest quality grade
VS1 Clarity: Detailed Analysis
What you get with VS1:
- Minor inclusions difficult to locate even under 10x magnification
- Virtually always eye-clean
- Excellent brilliance and sparkle
- No compromise on beauty
- Great for all diamond sizes
Typical inclusions in VS1:
- Small crystals
- Tiny feathers
- Minor clouds
- Small needles
Price point: 15-25% less than VVS2, 10-15% more than VS2
Best for:
- Those wanting near-perfect clarity without VVS pricing
- Larger diamonds (1.5+ carats) where clarity is more visible
- Step-cut diamonds (emerald, Asscher) that show inclusions more easily
- Those who want guaranteed eye-clean diamonds
VS2 Clarity: Detailed Analysis
What you get with VS2:
- Minor inclusions somewhat easy to see under 10x magnification
- Usually eye-clean, especially in diamonds under 1.5 carats
- Excellent brilliance and sparkle
- Outstanding value for quality
- Most popular clarity grade
Typical inclusions in VS2:
- Small crystals
- Feathers
- Clouds
- Needles
- Twinning wisps
Price point: 10-15% less than VS1, 10-15% more than SI1
Best for:
- Engagement rings and fine jewelry
- Brilliant-cut diamonds (round, oval, cushion) that hide inclusions well
- Diamonds under 1.5 carats
- Those wanting excellent quality at great value
- Most buyers seeking the sweet spot of quality and price
SI1 Clarity: Detailed Analysis
What you get with SI1:
- Noticeable inclusions easy to see under 10x magnification
- Often eye-clean, especially in smaller diamonds and brilliant cuts
- Good brilliance and sparkle if well-selected
- Excellent value for budget-conscious buyers
- Requires careful selection to ensure eye-clean
Typical inclusions in SI1:
- Crystals
- Feathers
- Clouds
- Needles
- Cavities (less common)
Price point: 20-30% less than VS2, 15-20% more than SI2
Best for:
- Budget-conscious buyers
- Brilliant-cut diamonds that hide inclusions (round, oval, cushion)
- Smaller diamonds (under 1.0 carat)
- Those willing to carefully select for eye-clean stones
- Maximizing carat size within budget
Important: Not all SI1 diamonds are eye-clean. Careful selection is important.
How Clarity Affects Diamond Appearance
Brilliance and Sparkle
- FL-VS2: No impact on brilliance
- SI1-SI2: Minimal to no impact if eye-clean
- I1-I3: Can reduce brilliance and transparency
Visibility to Naked Eye
- FL-VVS2: Never visible
- VS1-VS2: Almost never visible
- SI1: Usually not visible (depends on inclusion type and location)
- SI2: Sometimes visible in larger diamonds
- I1-I3: Usually visible
Durability
- FL-SI2: No impact on durability (if no surface-reaching feathers)
- I1-I3: May compromise durability if inclusions are large or surface-reaching
How Diamond Cut Affects Clarity Appearance
Brilliant Cuts (Hide Inclusions Better)
- Round brilliant: Best at hiding inclusions due to many facets and light dispersion
- Oval, cushion, pear: Very good at hiding inclusions
- Princess: Good at hiding inclusions
Note: Can often find eye-clean diamonds down to SI1 or even SI2 in brilliant cuts
Step Cuts (Show Inclusions More)
- Emerald: Large, open facets make inclusions more visible
- Asscher: Similar to emerald, shows inclusions easily
Note: VS2 or higher typically recommended for best appearance in step cuts
How Diamond Size Affects Clarity Choice
Under 0.50 carats:
- SI1-SI2 often eye-clean
- Inclusions harder to see in smaller diamonds
- Can prioritize size or other Cs over clarity
0.50-1.00 carats:
- VS2-SI1 sweet spot
- Good balance of quality and value
- SI1 still often eye-clean
1.00-2.00 carats:
- VS1-VS2 often preferred
- Inclusions more visible in larger diamonds
- SI1 possible if carefully selected
2.00+ carats:
- VS1 or higher often preferred
- Inclusions very visible in large diamonds
- Clarity becomes more important
Choosing the Right Clarity Grade
Choose FL-IF if you:
- Want absolute perfection
- Are purchasing a very large diamond (3+ carats)
- Have unlimited budget
- Want investment-grade diamonds
Choose VVS1-VVS2 if you:
- Want near-perfect clarity
- Are purchasing step-cut diamonds (emerald, Asscher)
- Want guaranteed flawless appearance
- Have a generous budget
Choose VS1 if you:
- Want excellent clarity without VVS pricing
- Are purchasing larger diamonds (1.5+ carats)
- Want guaranteed eye-clean diamonds
- Are purchasing step-cut diamonds on a budget
Choose VS2 if you:
- Want the best value for quality (most popular choice)
- Are purchasing brilliant-cut diamonds
- Want eye-clean diamonds at great prices
- Are purchasing diamonds under 1.5 carats
Choose SI1 if you:
- Want maximum value
- Are purchasing brilliant-cut diamonds under 1.0 carat
- Are willing to carefully select for eye-clean stones
- Want to maximize carat size within budget
Choose SI2-I1 if you:
- Have a very tight budget
- Are purchasing very small diamonds (under 0.30 carats)
- Are comfortable with visible inclusions
Common Clarity Misconceptions
Myth: You need flawless or VVS clarity for a beautiful diamond
Truth: VS2 and SI1 diamonds are usually eye-clean and offer exceptional value without compromising beauty.
Myth: All SI1 diamonds have visible inclusions
Truth: Many SI1 diamonds are eye-clean, especially in brilliant cuts and smaller sizes. Careful selection is key.
Myth: Inclusions always affect a diamond's sparkle
Truth: Only significant inclusions (typically I1 and below) affect brilliance. VS and SI grades have no impact on sparkle.
Myth: Higher clarity always means better value
Truth: The best value is the lowest clarity grade that's still eye-clean for your diamond's size and cut.
Understanding Diamond Certification
Some diamonds come with grading reports from gemological laboratories that document their clarity grade along with other characteristics.
Common certification laboratories:
- GIA (Gemological Institute of America): Industry gold standard, most trusted
- IGI (International Gemological Institute): Widely accepted, popular for lab-grown diamonds
- AGS (American Gem Society): Highly respected, excellent for cut grading
- GCAL (Gem Certification & Assurance Lab): Reputable with detailed reports
Note: Certification provides independent verification of a diamond's characteristics. Not all diamonds are certified, and certification is more common for larger stones.
Clarity and Pricing
Clarity significantly affects diamond pricing. Here's the approximate price difference between grades (all else being equal):
- FL to IF: 10-15% decrease
- IF to VVS1: 15-20% decrease
- VVS1 to VVS2: 10-15% decrease
- VVS2 to VS1: 15-20% decrease
- VS1 to VS2: 10-15% decrease
- VS2 to SI1: 15-25% decrease
- SI1 to SI2: 15-20% decrease
- SI2 to I1: 20-30% decrease
Value tip: VS2 or SI1 (if eye-clean) typically offers the best value for brilliant cuts, while VS1-VS2 is often preferred for step cuts.
Conclusion
Diamond clarity is a nuanced characteristic that significantly impacts both price and appearance, but it doesn't have to be overwhelming. The GIA clarity scale provides a reliable framework for evaluating inclusions and blemishes, with VS1, VS2, and SI1 grades representing the sweet spot where quality meets value for most buyers.
Remember that clarity is assessed under 10x magnification—many inclusions that affect a diamond's grade are completely invisible to the naked eye. An eye-clean SI1 diamond can offer exceptional value compared to a flawless stone, especially when other factors like cut quality are prioritized. The key is understanding which clarity characteristics matter for your specific diamond's size, shape, and setting.
Discover diamonds with the perfect balance of clarity, beauty, and value. Explore our diamond collection and find pieces that sparkle with confidence.
