Diamond Clarity
Clarity is an important factor in diamond quality and price. Discover the details of inclusions and blemishes to select the best clarity grade for you.
Diamond Clarity
Clarity is an important factor in diamond quality and price. Discover the details of inclusions and blemishes to select the best clarity grade for you.
What Does Diamond Clarity Mean?
Clarity is the absence of internal inclusions and surface blemishes on a diamond. It's one of the four factors that describe and determine a diamond's quality and value.
The Clarity Scale developed by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) rates diamond clarity from Flawless to Included. Professionals use specialized equipment to assess a diamond under 10x magnification, which allows their expert eyes to examine any imperfections — or lack thereof — up close. Once assessed, the clarity of the diamond is graded and added to the official.
It's important to remember that while a diamond may have inclusions or blemishes, these imperfections may not be visible to the untrained, unaided eye. Diamonds with inclusions or blemishes that aren't visible to the naked eye are called 'eye clean.' If you’re looking for a high-clarity diamond, ensuring it’s eye is clean is the most important factor.
Flawless (FL)
- No inclusions and no blemishes visible under 10x magnification. Less than 1% of all diamonds are FL clarity, as it is nearly impossible to find a diamond that is completely inclusion-free.
- Flawless diamonds are eye clean.
Internally Flawless (IF)
- No inclusions are visible under 10x magnification. Some small surface blemishes may be present under a microscope.
- Internally Flawless diamonds are eye clean.
Very, Very Slightly Included (VVS1 and VVS2)
- Inclusions are characterized as minute and are so slight that they are difficult for a skilled grader to see under 10x magnification.
- VVS1 and VVS2 diamonds are eye clean.
Very Slightly Included (VS1 and VS2)
- Inclusions are observed with effort under 10x magnification but can be characterized as minor.
- VS1 and VS2 diamonds are generally eye clean.
Slightly Included (SI1 and SI2)
- Inclusions are noticeable under 10x magnification.
- Some SI1 and SI2 diamonds may have inclusions that are detectable to the unaided, untrained eye, while others do not.
Included (I1, I2, and I3)
- Inclusions are obvious under 10x magnification, which may affect transparency and brilliance.
- The Altered Carbon does not carry Included grade diamonds as their imperfections are generally visible to the unaided, untrained eye.
Diamond Clarity Chart
The Most Common Diamond Inclusions and Blemishes
To understand inclusions and blemishes, it is important to understand how diamonds are created. Natural diamonds form deep within the Earth as the result of carbon that's exposed to extreme heat and pressure. This intense process results in trapped crystals that grow into the irregular internal characteristics we call inclusions — the most common of which are pinpoints and feathers. Pinpoints are tiny dots, and feathers are small, internal breaks.
Lab grown diamonds also have inclusions — however, they're often referenced differently than natural diamond inclusions in grading reports. For example, in a natural diamond report, the GIA references the most common inclusions as pinpoint and feather. In contrast, in a lab diamond report, the same type of inclusion may be called a 'growth remnant.'
External imperfections, called blemishes, occur on natural and lab grown diamonds after formation during the cutting, mounting, or wearing of a polished diamond.
Inclusion
Inclusions are internal imperfections that occur during diamond formation.
- Cavity: An angular opening that occurs as a feather breaks further.
- Cloud: A cluster of pinpoints that give a hazy appearance.
- Crystal: A mineral crystal within a diamond.
- Feather: A small breakage or crack that appears white and feathery.
- Graining: Lines, angles, and curves that appear whitish, colored, or reflective.
- Needle: A thin, elongated crystal that looks like a rod at 10x.
- Knot: A white or transparent crystal that extends toward the diamond's surface.
- Pinpoint: A small crystal that looks like a tiny dot at 10x magnification
Blemishes
Blemishes are external imperfections that occur after diamond formation.
- Abrasion: A series of nicks that give the edges a white, fuzzy appearance.
- Chip: A shallow opening on a stone's surface that most often occurs at the girdle or culet.
- Natural: A portion of the original surface of a rough diamond that's usually left on the girdle.
- Nick: A small notch, usually along the girdle edge or culet.
- Pit: A small opening that appears as a tiny white dot.
- Rough girdle: A granular girdle surface.
- Scratch: A thin white line along the diamond's surface.
How Important Is Diamond Clarity?
Clarity is incredibly important in determining a diamond's overall appearance, quality, and price.
Appearance: Heavily included diamonds may appear duller and not shine as brightly as those with a better quality grade.
Quality: A diamond with too many inclusions may be less durable and prone to chipping.
Price: Flawless and Internally Flawless diamonds are incredibly rare and expensive. Eye clean or Slightly Included diamonds are much more accessible.
Diamond Clarity FAQs
What is the best diamond clarity?
What is the best diamond clarity?
The highest quality clarity grade of diamonds is Flawless. These diamonds have no inclusions or blemishes at 10x magnification and are very rare.
What is a clarity enhanced diamond?
What is a clarity enhanced diamond?
A clarity enhanced diamond is a diamond that was treated with laser drilling or fracture filling. The Altered Carbon does not carry clarity enhanced diamonds.
What does eye clean mean?
What does eye clean mean?
Diamonds that have inclusions or blemishes that are not visible to the naked eye are considered 'eye clean.'
What is the difference between clarity and color?
What is the difference between clarity and color?
Clarity is the absence of inclusions in and blemishes on the surface of a diamond. Diamond color references the absence of color in a diamond.
How does diamond clarity effect a Diamond's Price?
How does diamond clarity effect a Diamond's Price?
Generally speaking, the higher the clarity of a diamond, the more expensive it'll be.
Does clarity apply to side stones and accent diamonds?
Does clarity apply to side stones and accent diamonds?
Yes, clarity still applies to side stones and accent diamonds. If you're designing your own ring, consider matching the accent clarity to your center stone or go a few clarity grades lower.
Do lab grown diamonds have inclusions?
Do lab grown diamonds have inclusions?
Yes, lab grown diamonds have the same inclusions as natural diamonds do, though they may be referred to by other names on certifications than natural diamond inclusions (example: a lab diamond certification may list an inclusion as a ‘growth remnant’ rather than an ‘inclusion’).
