Diamond Clarity
Understanding the natural birthmarks that make every diamond unique.
Natural diamonds form under tremendous heat and pressure deep within the earth. This process almost always creates internal characteristics called inclusions and surface irregularities called blemishes. Together, these are known as clarity characteristics.
The GIA Clarity Scale has 11 grades, ranging from Flawless (no inclusions or blemishes visible under 10x magnification) to Included (inclusions visible to the naked eye). Diamonds are examined by a trained gemologist under 10x magnification — the industry standard — to assign a clarity grade.
The GIA Clarity Scale
Flawless
Very Very Slightly Included
Very Slightly Included
Slightly Included
Included
Clarity Grades Explained
| Grade | Full Name | What It Means | Visibility |
|---|
| FL | Flawless | No inclusions or blemishes visible under 10x magnification. Extremely rare — fewer than 1 in 5,000 gem-quality diamonds. | Nothing visible at any magnification. |
| IF | Internally Flawless | No inclusions visible under 10x magnification. Only minor surface blemishes (polish lines, small scratches) that a skilled grader can detect. | Clean interior; trivial surface marks only. |
| VVS1 | Very, Very Slightly Included 1 | Inclusions are so slight that they are extremely difficult for a skilled grader to see under 10x magnification. Typically a tiny pinpoint or faint cloud. | Virtually invisible under magnification. |
| VVS2 | Very, Very Slightly Included 2 | Inclusions are very difficult to see under 10x magnification but slightly easier to detect than VVS1. May include a very small feather or pinpoint. | Very difficult to see under 10x. |
| VS1 | Very Slightly Included 1 | Minor inclusions that range from difficult to somewhat easy to see under 10x magnification. Common types: small clouds, crystals, or feathers. | Not visible to the naked eye. |
| VS2 | Very Slightly Included 2 | Minor inclusions that are somewhat easily detected under 10x magnification. Still invisible to the unaided eye in most cases. | Not visible to the naked eye. |
| SI1 | Slightly Included 1 | Noticeable inclusions under 10x magnification. In some shapes and settings, inclusions may be visible to the unaided eye upon close inspection. | May be eye-clean depending on placement. |
| SI2 | Slightly Included 2 | Inclusions are easily noticed under 10x magnification and may be visible to the unaided eye. The nature, size, and position of inclusions matters greatly. | Often visible to a careful observer. |
| I1 | Included 1 | Inclusions are obvious under 10x magnification and visible to the unaided eye. May affect transparency and brilliance. | Visible to the naked eye. |
| I2 | Included 2 | Inclusions are easily visible to the unaided eye and may affect the structural integrity of the diamond. | Clearly visible to the naked eye. |
| I3 | Included 3 | Obvious inclusions that are clearly visible and may threaten the diamond's durability. Significantly reduced brilliance. | Immediately apparent. |
Types of Inclusions
Not all inclusions are created equal. The type, size, number, position, and color of inclusions all affect the clarity grade and visual impact:
- Pinpoints — Tiny crystals of light or dark minerals embedded in the diamond. The most common inclusion type.
- Clouds — Clusters of tightly grouped pinpoints. A large cloud can give the diamond a hazy or milky appearance.
- Feathers — Small fractures or cleavages within the stone. Despite the name, most feathers pose no durability risk.
- Crystals — Tiny mineral crystals (sometimes other diamonds) trapped inside the host diamond during formation.
- Needles — Long, thin crystal inclusions that look like tiny rods under magnification.
- Twinning Wisps — Intergrown inclusions formed when the diamond's crystal structure shifted during growth.
- Knots — Included crystals that extend to the surface of the polished diamond.
- Indented Naturals — Part of the original rough diamond surface that was left on the polished stone, extending inward.
The "Eye-Clean" Concept
An eye-clean diamond is one where inclusions are not visible to the naked eye when viewed face-up at a normal distance (about 6–12 inches). Many SI1 and some SI2 diamonds are eye-clean, offering significant savings over higher clarity grades with no visible difference in everyday wear.
Tips for Choosing Clarity
- Best value: VS2 or SI1 is the sweet spot for most buyers — eye-clean at a substantial discount versus VVS or FL.
- Shape matters: Step-cut diamonds (emerald, asscher) show inclusions more readily than brilliant cuts (round, cushion, oval) because their large, open facets act like a window.
- Position matters: An inclusion under the table (center) is more visible than one near the girdle (edge), where prongs or a bezel can hide it.
- Size matters: In diamonds over 2 carats, inclusions are easier to spot, so consider VS2 or higher. Below 1 carat, SI1 is often perfectly eye-clean.
- Review the certificate: Every GIA or IGI report includes a clarity plot — a diagram showing the location and type of each inclusion. Use it to judge whether inclusions will be visible in your chosen setting.
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