Diamond Education

Diamond Clarity

Diamond clarity refers to the presence of internal or external imperfections, known as inclusions and blemishes. These characteristics are evaluated under 10x magnification and significantly influence a diamond's brilliance and value.

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Diamond Education

What is Diamond Clarity?

The term ‘clarity’ is used in reference to a diamond’s purity and rarity. Minuscule characteristics can be trapped on or within a diamond when it is formed.

Gemmologists will examine these surface and internal characteristics under 10x magnification when assigning a grading to each stone. Diamonds with little or no inclusions are especially rare and valuable.

SI2SI1VS2VS1VVS2VVS1IFFL

SI2 - Slightly Included

Inclusions are visible under 10x magnification and may be visible to the naked eye. More inclusions than SI1.

SI1 - Slightly Included

Inclusions are visible under 10x magnification, but are generally not visible to the naked eye.

VS2 - Very Slightly Included

Slightly more inclusions than VS1, difficult to see under 10x magnification and typically cannot be seen with the naked eye.

VS1 - Very Slightly Included

Inclusions cannot be seen with the naked eye and are difficult to see under 10x magnification.

VVS2 - Very Very Slightly Included

Slightly more inclusions than VVS1, but still very difficult to see under 10x magnification even for expert gemologists.

VVS1 - Very Very Slightly Included

Miniscule inclusions are very difficult to see under 10x magnification, even for expert gemologists.

IF - Internally Flawless

Extremely rare and valuable, these diamonds have no internal flaws but may have minute surface blemishes visible under 10x magnification.

FL - Flawless

Extremely rare and valuable, flawless diamonds have no internal or external flaws. Less than 1% of all diamonds are FL clarity.

The Diamond Clarity Scale

It can help you choose a diamond that offers good value for what you’re willing to spend.

Flawless (FL)

Diamonds with no internal or external flaws under 10x magnification, extremely rare and valuable.

Internally Flawless (IF)

Diamonds with no internal flaws visible under 10x magnification, very rare and valuable.

Very, Very Slightly Included (VVS1 and VVS2)

Diamonds with minuscule inclusions that are difficult for a skilled grader to see under 10x magnification.

Very Slightly Included (VS1 and VS2)

Diamonds with minor inclusions that are noticeable under 10x magnification but typically not to the naked eye.

Slightly Included (SI1 and SI2)

Diamonds with minor inclusions that are noticeable under 10x magnification, some are detectable to the naked eye.

Included (I1, I2, and I3)

Diamonds with apparent inclusions that are visible under 10x magnification, which may affect transparency and brilliance.

Common Types of Inclusions and Blemishes

Inclusions: Internal features such as crystals, feathers, clouds, and needles.
Blemishes: Surface imperfections like scratches, nicks, and polish lines.

How Clarity Impacts a Diamond's Appearance and Value

As the diamond’s clarity grades increase, so does the price, especially for stones that are classified as flawless (FL) or internally flawless (IF). However, keep in mind that many inclusions are microscopic and do not affect the diamond's appearance to the naked eye. This means you can choose a slightly lower clarity grade diamond without compromising its beauty. Doing so allows you to free up your budget to invest in other elements like a larger carat weight or a superior cut, which significantly impacts overall sparkle.

What Affects a Diamond Clarity

Expert gemmologists at the GIA laboritories examine diamonds under 10x magnification to determine and classify their clarity grading. Each stone has a unique map called a 'diamond plot' which identifies and describes its characteristics. There are 5 main factors that are taken into consideration when attributing a clarity grading to a diamond - size, number, position, nature and visibility of the inclusions.

Balancing Clarity with Other Diamond Characteristics

Clarity is just one part of what makes a diamond truly stunning. By understanding the diamond clarity grade with the other characteristics, you can find a diamond that offers beauty and value in perfect harmony.

Cut: The quality of a diamond's proportions, symmetry, and polish.

Colour: The presence of colour in a diamond, ranging from D (colourless) to Z (light yellow or brown).

Carat Weight: The size of the diamond, with one carat equal to 0.2 grams.

Buying Tips for Australian Buyers

Making an informed decision allows you to choose a gemstone that perfectly reflects your personal style while staying within your budget. Here are some key tips to help you navigate the diamond buying process with confidence:

Think About Your Priorities
Decide what matters most to you if it’s size, sparkle, or flawless clarity. If you’re after maximum visual impact, you might prioritise cut and carat weight over a high clarity grade. However, a higher clarity grade may be worth the premium if you prefer a flawless diamond.

Set a Realistic Budget
Have a clear budget in mind before you start shopping, as prices vary widely depending on the diamond’s 4Cs. A realistic budget also helps you focus on options that offer the best balance of quality and value within your price range.

Check Diamond Certification
Certification from GIA or IGA confirms the authenticity and accurate grading of your diamond. Reputable Australian jewellers like DX Diamonds offer only diamonds verified by trusted industry standards.

WHAT CLARITY DO WE RECOMMEND?

To avoid inclusions visible to the naked eye and still maintain great value, we recommend a clarity grading of either SI1, VS2 or VS1.

WHAT IS DX RECOMMENDED?

If you are looking for the perfect diamond, feel free to connect with our diamond experts. You can also apply the DX Recommended filter to our list of almost 200,000 diamonds to find quality stones we would recommend.