Congratulations, if you’re reading this, you must be diamond shopping. Every diamond shopper usually has some good news behind it so we are happy for you.
If you’ve done even the slightest bit of research, you probably know by now that the clarity of the diamond affects the price the most (well after the size, or actually, the weight).
The problem is, there are a lot of technical terms and explanations that are thrown your way when discussing diamond clarity. For non-experts, this can all be a little confusing. If you are overwhelmed by that and if you are not entirely sure what you need to know about diamond clarity, you are not alone.
I’ve written this guide to help you understand what is the best diamond clarity for you. It may not be the best for others.
We will discuss the following questions:
- What is Diamond Clarity?
- What is the Difference between the diamond clarity grades?
- Why can Clarity Gradings from Different Gemological Labs different For the same Diamond?
- Should I aim for the flawless diamond?
- What does Eye Clean mean?
- What are the different types of inclusions?
- What are hidden inclusions?
- What diamond clarity gives you the best value for money?
We will provide answers to these questions that will aim to help you get a better understanding of what Diamond clarity is and how this affects the overall price of a diamond. Let’s first begin with what diamond clarity is and how important to know this before you pursue your search for the perfect engagement ring.
What is Diamond Clarity?
The clarity of a diamond is determined by the presence of internal inclusions that form naturally in the diamond. Mistaken as flaws, these inclusions are more like birthmarks and can be very important when it comes to identifying your diamond.
The most widely used diamond clarity grading system was originally developed by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). This system uses eleven different grades to describe the presence (or lack) of clarity characteristics in a diamond (more info).
Diamond Clarity Scale:
| FL or IF | Flawless or Internally Flawless |
| VVS1 or VVS2 | Very Very Slightly Included (VVS1 being better than VVS2) |
| VS1 or VS2 | Very Slightly Included (VS1 being better than VS2) |
| SI1 or SI2 | Slightly Included (SI1 being better than SI2) |
| I1, I2 or I3 | Included (I1 being the best of the 3) |
Unfortunately, simply understanding the table above, does not really help you make a decision, some real world experience is required and also some basic facts (for example, are all SI1 diamonds really the same clarity? Hint. No.).
What is the Difference Between Diamond Clarity Gradings?
The diamond clarity scale, as invented by the GIA is an attempt to categorize diamonds in a very rough way. Here’s a quick breakdown of what this means.
- FL & IF diamonds are flawless and therefore rare and are the most expensive diamonds.
- VVS1 to VVS2 diamonds are the most expensive that are readily available because they are close to being perfectly clean.
- VS1 to VS2 diamonds are pretty common. They have some inclusions but to the naked eye, they look clean and beautiful
- SI1 to SI2 diamonds are the biggest jump in clarity because these diamonds (as opposed to VS) may have some inclusions that you can see without special equipment.
- I1 to I3 diamonds are affordable diamonds, some are pretty good, some decent, some bad, you would need a trusted jeweler to choose one of these.
As a buyer, what you need to consider is the difference between clarity gradings to the naked eye. A diamond that is VS1 could look identical to a VS2 without magnification, but the prices will be significantly different.
Can different Gemological labs give the same diamond two different clarity gradings?
It is important to understand that the clarity of diamonds is graded subjectively. The individuals who are responsible for grading the clarity of diamonds at gemological labs, base this measurement on their own experience and opinions. This results in different gemological labs having different results regarding their clarity grading.
For example, one expert can say a diamond is SI1, another can say it is SI2. Neither of these clarity gradings is wrong. Diamond Clarity is not an exact science because no two diamonds are alike. It’s like trying to categorize snowflakes into different design types.
Experts rely heavily on their personal experiences and opinions to identify what category a ring is placed under.
For example: If one diamond is graded by GIA and DGC, the diamond clarity will be different as these two gemological laboratories will have their own standard for every clarity category. In most cases, GIA provides the strictest gradings, and therefore you can expect them to provide low clarity gradings compared to other laboratories.
Should I aim for the Flawless Diamond?
Flawless diamonds are very hard to come by. You should only aim for the most flawless of diamonds if this is specifically what you are looking for. But if you are looking to get the best (most affordable) price for a good diamond, a flawless isn’t the best option as these are the most expensive diamonds on the market.
The most popular clarity on the market for affordable diamond engagement rings is SI1 or SI2 as they are mostly eye-clean diamonds, meaning you will not see any major imperfections with the naked eye.
If you are purchasing a diamond in order to wear it and not to observe it under a microscope, you should certainly not get a flawless diamond. Anything up to SI2 will be good clarity for diamond jewelry.
What does Eye-Clean mean?
Eye Clean is a term that you will hear a lot about when you are comparing diamonds by their clarity. A diamond is Eye Clean when you can look at it under bright light, and without magnification, and see that there aren’t any major inclusions, clouding, or imperfections.
Eye Clean Diamond Clarity Grades:
- VS2 to VVS1 diamonds are eye-clean. You will not see any inclusions with the naked eye.
- SI1 & SI2 are mostly eye-clean. It’s best to see the diamond in person or through a video, to see its clarity and make sure you’re happy with it.
Eye clean is encouraged for diamond jewelry shoppers who are hoping to shop for diamonds on a budget. It won’t make a difference getting a lower clarity grade if it looks clean, but is sold for a more affordable price compared to flawless diamonds.
What are different types of inclusions?
Diamonds are like snowflakes, no two diamonds are the same. This means that there are different types of inclusions. This is a big reason why diamond clarity can not be measured by a machine. It has to be categorized by an expert. To give you a better idea of what different factors contribute to what makes marks inclusions, here are a few tips.
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- Pinpoints – These imperfections are white or black, and significantly small crystals that can only be seen under magnification.
- Cavity – This inclusion is an opening that’s found on the surface of a diamond. These are inconvenient as they trap oil and dirt and require more frequent cleaning of the diamond. It is possible to file this down with a polish, but this will result in your diamond losing weight.
- Needle – As indicated by its name, this is a needle-like inclusion that’s either the color white or transparent.
- Chip – This is similar to a cavity inclusion where there is an opening found on the surface of the diamond. The difference is that this is a man-made inclusion caused by wear and tear. It is often found on the surface and the edge of diamonds.
- Feather– This inclusion is a small crack that can be found within the diamond. It can be long or short, transparent or dark. When a feather flaw is bad, it reaches the surface of a diamond and this is questionable as it compromises the durability of the diamond.
- Bearding – This inclusion is called bearding as it is an imperfection that looks like hair or fur. These are fine lines that are caused by the process of shaping a diamond.
- Graining – Graining is an irregular crystal growth flaw that may look like faint lines or creases inside a diamond.
- Crystal – This is a naturally occurring inclusion where a small crystal develops inside the diamond.
- Cloudy – Cloudiness is not often identified as an inclusion, but this affects the shine and the brilliance of a diamond. It’s important to check four cloudiness as even diamonds with the clarity of VS1 and above, can be cloudy.
There are many different types of inclusions. Their shapes, color, and positions are all considered when grading a diamond. One diamond can have one long needle inclusion, and another can have many small bearding and crystal inclusions, but both can be categorized under the SI2 diamond grading. This will all depend on the opinion of the person grading the diamond.
What are HIdden Inclusions?
Hidden inclusions are imperfections that are covered up or disguised when a diamond is mounted on metals. For example, there can be a hidden inclusion found under a prong that you would not be able to see and identify when you are looking at a ring in person. Hidden Inclusions can be done both on purpose or these can be accidentally hidden.
The Types of Hidden Inclusions:
- Inclusions that are not identified on the diamond certification
- Inclusions hidden under the facet
- Inclusions found under a prong
- Inclusions found hidden by the mounting
- Inclusions found at the bottom of diamonds
Hidden inclusions are nothing to worry about if you are looking for an eye-clean diamond to be worn, like an engagement ring, necklace, or earrings. If you can’t see it, it isn’t significant.
What Diamond Clarity Gives You the Best Value for Money?
If you are hoping for the best budget-friendly engagement rings, an SI2 gets you the best value for your money. It is mostly eye-clean. It’s not as expensive as an SI1 diamond. In fact, at Brillianteers, we use SI2 diamonds as our default diamonds for all of our jewelry. We handpick each one of our SI2 diamonds to guarantee that they looks perfect in a ring.
What are the Best Diamond Ring Settings for Lower Clarity Diamonds?
You want to buy a lower clarity diamond to save yourself more money. You may be wondering what the best diamond ring settings are that can hide, or potentially make a lower clarity diamond look better. Here are helpful tips when you’re shopping for affordable engagement rings.
Choose a Simple Setting
A solitaire ring that has one diamond set on a plain ring band, is more forgiving towards the clarity of a diamond. Choose a ring without any side stones.
Avoid Ring Designs with side stones
Side diamonds (or accent diamonds) have this way of highlighting imperfections on a larger center diamond. Avoid 3 Stone Rings, Halo Ring Designs, or Rings with Accent diamonds on the ring band.
Stick to the minimal, plain, solitaire engagement ring designs if you are hoping to shop for budget-friendly diamonds with I1, I2, or I3 diamond clarity.
Additional Shopping Tips with Clarity in Mind
Here are a few additional tips from our experts at Brillianteers, to help you get the best diamonds, for the best, and most affordable prices.
Try to see a diamond in person
It is best to see a diamond in person as you will be able to identify yourself if the clarity is good enough for you. An SI2 diamond can look clean and flawless with the naked eye. This can save you a lot of money if you choose this over a VS1 diamond.
Don’t ask for a photo of a diamond, ask for a video
If you are shopping online and you can’t physically look at a diamond, you need to ask for a video. Photos are misleading as a diamond can be photographed to see as little of its inclusions as possible. Ask to see a video of the diamond being moved around in all angles, under a bright light.
Compare the clarity of diamonds certified by the same Gemological Laboratory
Different gemological laboratories grade and categorize their diamonds with their own standards. This means that an IGI certificate may have a different clarity grading standard than a GIA certificate. If you are comparing clarities of two diamonds, use
Diamond Clarity Conclusion
Learning and understanding the different information about diamond clarity is absolutely crucial when it comes to actually shop for an engagement ring or a piece of diamond jewelry. The clarity can affect everything from its cost, the way the piece of jewelry looks in person, and even the way it sells or buys in the market. This is a great and comprehensive overlook of what you need to know to understand the importance of diamond clarity.
