Diamond Clarity: What It Means & How to Choose the Right Grade
When shopping for a diamond, clarity might not be the first thing you notice — but it plays a major role in a diamond’s beauty, brilliance, and value.
Clarity refers to the tiny imperfections inside or on the surface of a diamond, often invisible to the naked eye, but crucial in gem grading.
What Is Diamond Clarity?
Diamonds are formed deep within the earth under extreme pressure and heat, which naturally creates inclusions (internal flaws) and blemishes (surface flaws).
Clarity measures the amount, size, and visibility of these imperfections. The fewer the inclusions, the higher the clarity grade — and the rarer the diamond.
The GIA Clarity Scale
The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) clarity scale includes 6 categories and 11 grades:
Grade | Description | What It Means |
FL/IF | Flawless / Internally Flawless | No inclusions visible under 10x magnification |
VVS1/2 | Very, Very Slight Inclusions | Extremely hard to detect, even under magnification |
VS1/2 | Very Slight Inclusions | Minor inclusions, invisible to the naked eye |
SI1–SI2 | Slight Inclusions | Small inclusions, may be visible under magnification |
I1–I3 | Included | Noticeable flaws, can affect brilliance or durability |
Fun Fact: Most diamonds sold in fine jewelry fall within the VS to SI range, offering both beauty and value.
Which Diamond Clarity Should You Choose?
Choosing the right clarity depends on the size of the diamond, setting style, and your priorities:
If You Want… | Choose… |
Perfect purity (collector) | FL / IF |
Exceptional brilliance | VVS1 – VS2 |
Eye-clean beauty with value | VS2 – SI1 (great for rings) |
Budget-friendly sparkle | SI1 – SI2 (choose carefully) |
Pro Tip: For diamonds under 1 carat, clarity is less noticeable. For larger stones (1.5 carat and up), you may want to choose VS or higher.
Final Thoughts
Diamond clarity may seem technical, but it’s all about finding the right balance between perfection and practicality. At [Your Brand Name], we handpick diamonds that are eye-clean, ethically sourced, and certified — so you get maximum brilliance without overpaying for what’s invisible.
Need help choosing the perfect clarity grade?
Speak to our gem advisors — we’re here to help you make a confident, informed choice.