Diamond clarity

Clarity describes the relative absence of internal inclusions and external blemishes. Most characteristics are small and require magnification for assessment.

The clarity scale

GIA’s scale contains eleven grades: FL, IF, VVS1, VVS2, VS1, VS2, SI1, SI2, I1, I2 and I3. Assessment takes place at 10× magnification.

• FL–IF: no inclusions visible at 10×, with different requirements for external blemishes.
• VVS1–VVS2: inclusions that are very difficult for a skilled grader to see at 10×.
• VS1–VS2: inclusions that range from difficult to somewhat easy to see at 10×.
• SI1–SI2: inclusions that are noticeable at 10×.
• I1–I3: inclusions that are obvious at 10× and may affect appearance or durability.

More than a letter code

The grader considers each characteristic’s size, number, position, nature and relief. Two diamonds with the same clarity grade can therefore look different. A blemish near the centre may be more noticeable than a similar one near the edge, while a characteristic near a point may be relevant to the setting.

What does eye-clean mean?

The term is often used for a stone whose inclusions cannot be seen without magnification under normal viewing conditions. It is not a standard GIA grade. Distance, light, eyesight, shape and stone size all affect the judgement.

Compare the actual stone

• Study the report’s clarity plot when one is provided.
• View the stone without magnification and through a loupe.
• Ask whether an inclusion’s position affects durability or setting.
• Compare clarity alongside cut and colour.

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