Diamonds that are absolutely clear are the most sought-after and therefore the most expensive. But many diamonds have inclusions — scratches, trace minerals or other tiny characteristics that can detract from the pure beauty of the diamond.
Diamond Clarity
FL, IF |
Flawless, Internally Flawless: No internal or external flaws. Internally Flawless: No internal flaws. Very rare and beautiful diamonds. |
VVS1, VVS2 |
Very, Very Slightly Included: Very difficult to see inclusions under 10x magnification. An excellent quality diamond. |
VS1, VS2 |
Very Slightly Included: Inclusions are not typically visible to the unaided eye. Less expensive than the VVS1 or VVS2 grades. |
SI1, SI2 |
Slightly Included: Inclusions are visible under 10x magnification, and may be visible with the unaided eye. A good diamond value. |
I1, I2, I3 |
Included: We do carry imperfect stones but wouldn't recommend them for engagement rings. |
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What is clarity?
Clarity indicates how "clean" the diamond is, or how many inclusions (i.e. scratches, trace minerals or other tiny characteristics) the diamond has. Inclusions are important to consider because they can detract from the pure beauty of a diamond.
What Clarity Grade is best?
We recommend that you select an "eye-clean" diamond — one that has no inclusions visible to the unaided eye. An excellent value, diamonds of this clarity are much less expensive than IF- or FL-grade diamonds and typically do not contain visible inclusions that detract from the beauty of the diamond. If you're considering an SI grade diamond, call to speak to a diamond and jewelry consultant who will review the diamond to ensure the inclusions are not visible with the unaided eye. But, if you'd rather not compromise on clarity yet are budget conscious, choose a diamond with a good cut and G or H color.
Does clarity grade affect a diamond's sparkle and brilliance?
The clarity grade has little effect on a diamond's visible appearance except in larger diamonds. The larger a diamond is, the larger the facet; larger facets expand the visible clarity. Out of the 4 C's, clarity is considered the least important. It is primarily the precision of the cut that determines how brilliant and sparkling a diamond will be. The better the cut, the less likely you will be able to see a diamond's inclusions.
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