Diamond Clarity Explained

Clarity is one of the important factors, alongside cut, diamond colour, and carat weight, that shapes diamond quality and how the stone looks to your eyes. This guide explains the GIA clarity scale and helps you select a diamond clarity grade that gives brilliant sparkle without paying for letters you will never see. 

What Is Diamond Clarity?

Diamond clarity describes how visible the tiny features inside a diamond and the small marks on its surface are at 10x magnification and to the naked eye.

During formation far underground, natural diamonds grow under extreme heat and pressure. That is why nearly all diamonds carry small birthmarks. Some inclusions look like a tiny black, grey or white crystal. Others look like a wispy feather, a soft cloud or a fine needle.

Most are harmless and not visible in daily life, though a few can be noticeable inclusions if they sit in the wrong place.

A skilled grader assigns a grade by judging five things, sometimes called the clarity “big five”.

• Size of the feature
• Number of features
• Relief (how strongly they contrast with the body of the stone)
• Position (under the table or near the edge)
• Nature (what the feature actually is)

These are the important factors behind the clarity grading scale. They explain why two diamonds with the same letter can look different face up.

Rule of thumb for couples: buy eye clean diamonds, not microscope clean diamonds. If nothing is visible to the unaided eye at about 25 to 30 centimetres in normal room light, you are in a great spot. Higher letters then buy rarity more than a better look.

• Quick checks you can use today
• Ask for a short video and a still photo from the top
• Look at arm’s length in neutral light and tilt the stone slightly
• Match what you see with the report diagram so there are no surprises

How Does The GIA Clarity Scale Work?

The GIA diamond clarity scale is the most widely used clarity grading scale for natural diamonds and lab-grown alike. A skilled grader examines the stone at 10x magnification and with the naked eye, then assigns a clarity grade using five factors: size, number, relief (contrast), position and nature of the features. These are the important factors behind how inclusions affect a diamond’s appearance.

What Each Clarity Grade Means To Your Eyes

• Flawless (FL): No inclusions or blemishes visible at 10x. Flawless diamonds are extremely rare and priced for rarity and purity, not extra sparkle.
• Internally Flawless (IF): Internally flawless at 10x with only tiny surface marks. To the unaided eye, FL and IF look the same in most diamonds.
• VVS1, VVS2: Very, very slight inclusions. In practice this is near perfect clarity to the eye.
• VS1, VS2: Very slight inclusions that are difficult to see even at 10x. For most diamonds here, nothing is visible face up. Excellent choices for engagement rings.
• SI1, SI2 (Slightly Included): Slight inclusions are obvious at 10x. SI1 often looks eye clean in round stones up to about one carat to 1.5 ct; SI2 depends on type and position.
• I1, I2, I3 (Included): Visible inclusions in most viewing conditions. Choose carefully and plan the setting.

Tip: The grades above use the same definitions for lab-grown and natural stones. Your report will also list carat weight, measurements and fluorescence so you can judge overall diamond quality.

Why This Matters For Price And Sparkle

• Fewer inclusions = rarer = higher price. Higher clarity grades are scarce, which is why the price steps between SI2 → SI1 → VS2 → VS1 can feel steep.
• Clarity can influence light. If inclusions visible create haze or sit under the table, they can reduce light return and brilliance. Removing those issues (by moving to a cleaner stone) can improve the look.
• Once eye clean, extra letters do little. Above an eye clean result, moving to VVS or Flawless usually changes purity on paper, not what you see. At that point, invest in cut or the right colour or a tiny bump in carat instead.

A Quick Example

Two diamonds are both 1.00 ct with the same cut and diamond colour. One is VS2 with a small crystal near the edge. The other is SI1 with a faint cloud near the centre. The VS2 will usually look crisper. If the SI1 cloud is light and the cut is excellent, it may still appear eye clean to you. This is why videos, face-up views at arm’s length and matching the plot to the stone are so useful.

Where Do Diamonds Look Eye Clean?

Placement and size matter a lot. Here is a helpful starting guide by carat size and shape.

• Smaller diamonds from 0.30 to 0.69 ct round: SI1 is often eye clean.
• 0.70 to 1.49 ct round: VS2 to SI1 is often eye clean.
• 1.50 to 2.00 ct round: VS2 is safer. SI1 is case by case.
• Emerald and Asscher cuts: open tables act like windows, so target VS1 to VS2 for a crisp, glassy look.

Remember that a step cut puts any inclusions visible on display because the facets do not scatter light the way a brilliant cut does.

Suggested internal link: Engagement Rings

Does Clarity Change What You Actually See?

Sometimes. Clarity affects the look when a mark is big, dark, right under the centre, or there are many of them. A tiny pinpoint near the girdle usually does not change the face-up look. A dark dot under the table might. A dense cloud can lower contrast and soften sparkle.

Once a diamond is eye clean, raising the clarity grade does not increase sparkle. The driver of sparkle is still cut, not a letter. That is why people sometimes complain that a VVS with a weak cut has poor clarity face up, even though the report says otherwise. It is the light return that looks dull, not the technical purity.

Suggested internal link: How Much Do Engagement Rings Cost?

What Clarity Offers The Best Value For Engagement Rings?

For round engagement rings under about one and a half carat, VS2 to SI1 usually balances price and a clean look. For emerald and Asscher cuts, aim VS1 to VS2. If you save a little by choosing a clean SI1, you can put that towards a better cut or a small step in weight that you will notice on the hand.

Practical tips

• A slightly included SI1 with pale, well placed features often looks clean in smaller rounds.
• If your eyes are very sensitive to detail, a clarity grade of VS2 may feel more comfortable.
• Over 2 ct, the table is larger, so tighten clarity a step to keep visible inclusions away from the centre.
• Ovals and pears can hide a tiny edge feature under a prong if your setter agrees it is safe.

Suggested internal link: Why Are Engagement Rings So Expensive?

How Shape And Size Change The Look

Facet style changes how inclusions show. Step cuts like emerald and Asscher are like mirrors. Any mark can echo along a long facet and stay visible. Brilliant cuts like round, oval, cushion and radiant scatter light, which helps hide small things. As carat size grows, the same inclusion covers more of the top facet and becomes easier to spot.

How to check properly

• Inspect with a loupe at 10x magnification to understand the type and location.
• Then always confirm face up with your eyes, because daily life is not lived at 10x.
• Look from the top and then at a slight angle to see if anything flashes.

How To Choose Your Clarity Step By Step

Here is a plan that keeps priorities straight and avoids paying for what you cannot see.

1. Set your budget.
2. Lock an excellent cut. Cut controls brilliance and light return. Do not trade it for a higher clarity letter.
3. Pick a colour window. Diamond colour refers to the body tint from D to Z. Choose what looks best in your metal.
4. Select the lowest clarity that is eye clean for your shape and size.

How to verify with confidence

• Ask for video and 10x photos with the inclusion plot.
• Check at 25 to 30 centimetres in neutral light.
• Confirm face up first. Then check table, crown and pavilion views.
• If a tiny mark sits near the edge, ask whether a prong can cover it. Never hide a surface reaching feather if it risks strength.

Clarity, Colour And Cut In Real Life

• Clarity is about features.
• Diamond colour is the tint.
• Cut is the engine of beauty.

On a normal budget, going one step warmer in diamond colour and choosing an eye clean clarity can look better than paying for a top clarity that does not change the view. Yellow gold softens warmth. White metals reward higher colour. Match your centre stone and side stones so the difference does not show.

Suggested internal link: Lab Diamonds Vs Natural Diamonds

Fluorescence And Clarity In Simple Terms

Fluorescence is how a stone reacts to UV. Weak to medium is usually neutral. Medium to strong can sometimes soften a light cloud under UV or, rarely, make a stone look a bit milky. Look at your diamond in daylight and in-store lights. If the face-up is crisp, you are fine.

Clarity Treatments You Might See

Some stones are treated to look cleaner. Transparency matters, so always ask.

• Laser drilling targets a dark crystal and can leave a fine trail you see at 10x.
• Fracture filling hides a tiny crack with a glass-like material. It needs care during repair because heat can affect it.

Treatments should always be disclosed and fairly priced. Some insurers treat them differently.

How To Read The Clarity Part Of A Report

The clarity plot is a picture map. The top view is the crown. The reverse is the pavilion. Symbols show types, and the comments section may note items like clouds not shown or extra facets. Use the report check to confirm the number and details. If there is a laser inscription on the edge, it should match.

How Clarity Changes Price

Price steps are larger at borders like SI2 to SI1, VS2 to VS1 and VVS2 to VVS1. Those steps get bigger with larger stones and top colours. Once your diamond is eye clean, moving up another letter usually buys rarity, not more sparkle. To judge value, compare two diamonds with the same size, cut and colour, but different clarity. If they look the same on the hand, consider keeping your money for cut or size.

Can The Setting Help With Tiny Marks?

Sometimes, yes. A prong can cover a minor inclusion near the edge. A bezel or a halo can soften edges and create extra sparkle. Step cuts still need cleaner material because their facet style keeps features visible. Always confirm the plan with your setter and never hide anything that could affect durability.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is Diamond Clarity?

Clarity is how visible internal inclusions and surface blemishes are at 10x magnification and to the naked eye. It is one of the important factors of diamond quality alongside cut, colour and carat weight.

Are Flawless Diamonds Worth It?

They are beautiful and extremely rare, but not brighter than an eye clean VS or SI with an excellent cut. Flawless and Internally Flawless mainly add purity and rarity.

Which Clarity Grade Looks Best For Engagement Rings?

Start with VS2 to SI1 for round diamonds up to about 1.5 ct. For emerald and Asscher cuts, aim VS1 to VS2 for a crisp face-up look.

What Does Eye Clean Mean?

No inclusions visible to the unaided eye at about 25 to 30 cm in normal light. Check face up first, then with a slight tilt, and confirm with a short video.

How Do Inclusions Affect Brilliance?

Central, dark or dense inclusions can reduce light return and brilliance. Small, pale features near the edge usually do not change the diamond’s appearance.

Is VS1 Better Than VS2?

Both are excellent choices. VS1 gives a small safety margin, while a well-placed VS2 often looks identical on the hand. Decide by video and placement, not the letter alone.

What About SI1 And SI2?

SI1 is often eye clean in many round stones under 1.5 ct; SI2 is case by case. Always check position and relief, especially under the table.

How Does The GIA Clarity Scale Work?

It runs FL, IF, VVS1, VVS2, VS1, VS2, SI1, SI2, I1, I2, I3. A skilled grader weighs size, number, relief, position and nature at 10x to set the diamond clarity grade.

Do Natural And Lab-Grown Diamonds Use The Same Clarity Scale?

Yes. The GIA clarity scale applies to both natural diamonds and lab-grown; inclusion types can differ, but the goal is the same clean face-up look.

How Does Clarity Affect Price?

Fewer inclusions mean higher rarity and higher price. Expect bigger steps at SI2 → SI1 and VS2 → VS1. Above eye clean, extra spend buys letters more than visible sparkle.

Can The Setting Hide A Tiny Mark?

Sometimes. A prong can cover a small edge inclusion and a bezel or halo can soften the rim, but do not hide any feature that could affect durability.

What Matters More, Clarity Or Cut?

Cut. If the stone is eye clean, invest in cut quality first, then consider colour and carat size. Cut drives brightness, fire and sparkle.

Conclusion

You do not need to memorise every letter on the chart to choose a diamond you will love; if it looks clean to your eyes and sparkles beautifully, you are on the right track. If you would like a hand narrowing it down, book a friendly, no-pressure visit with Stelios Jewellers and we will shortlist a few GIA-certified stones that fit your style and budget, then show them side by side in real lighting at arm’s length and give you a quick loupe lesson so you can spot what matters.

We will explain clarity, cut, colour and carat in plain English, answer your questions, and give you a clear quote so the best choice feels obvious. Whether you are dreaming of a classic round or a sleek emerald cut, we will help you pick an eye-clean diamond with beautiful sparkle and a design that feels like you. Book your consultation today and let’s find the ring that gets a yes.