Clarity grading is determining a diamonds position on a relative scale from flawless to imperfect. These grades are given to diamonds to determine the amount of identifying characteristics including inclusions and blemishes that are in the diamond. Inclusions being internal characteristics and blemishes being external characteristics. Inclusions are more severe on the clarity grade, while blemishes on most diamonds do not have a very strong impact on the clarity grade. In clarity grading there is no absolute, except flawless. There is such an endless combination of clarity characteristics, it could not be possible to have a single description that describes a given grade.


Loupe, a magnifying
10X lens used to
examine diamonds.

The clarity characteristics are caused by the conditions present when the diamond was crystallizing, some by the process of cutting, and others by something that happened to the diamond after is was cut, maybe a chip or nick.

Diamonds are graded under 10X fully corrected magnification using reflected light to look for blemishes, and darkfield illumination to look for inclusions. The five most important factors to consider when clarity grading are the size, nature, number, color and location of the inclusion. It is the diamonds overall visual impression that determines the clarity grade. The size of an inclusion can determine how easy it is to see and how severely it will affect the grade, for example a large feather inclusion is more dangerous than a small feather inclusion. The nature of an inclusion is whether it is internal or external and whether it would pose as a risk to the stone. The number of inclusions can lower the grade, depending on what type of inclusions they are, an example being a number of minute pinpoint inclusions would not act as severe as a large dark included crystal under the table. The color and relief of an inclusion is usually more obvious if it is dark or occasionally brown or if it is dark red. And finally, the location will determine how easily it can be seen, for example an inclusion will be most obvious if it is directly under the table rather than partially hidden by an outer facet. At times, inclusions may lie under the table near the pavilion mains, which act as mirrors and may reflect one inclusion to look like multiple inclusions. Remember to keep all five factors in mind when choosing a diamond.

According to GIA, the following are a list of eleven grades used for clarity grading:

Flawless (FL): Showing no inclusions or blemishes of any sort when examined by a skilled grader at 10X magnification. Extra facets on the pavilion which cannot be seen face-up, and naturals confined to the width of the girdle that do not thicken or distort the girdle outline, do NOT exclude a diamond from being flawless.

Internally Flawless (IF): Stones showing no inclusions and only insignificant blemishes when examined by a skilled grader under 10X.

Very Very Slightly Included (VVS1 & VVS2): VVS1 diamonds contain only minute inclusions, that are very difficult for even a trained grader to see, and only visible from the pavilion. A VVS2, still very difficult to see but may be seen face-up.

Very Slightly Included (VS1 & VS2): VS1 stones may contain minor inclusions, pinpoints, or groups of small pinpoints, which are difficult for the trained grader to see. VS2 is somewhat easy for the trained eye, some inclusions may include small included crystals, small feathers and clouds. These inclusions do not effect the stones beauty.

Slightly Included (SI1 & SI2): SI1 stones would have noticeable inclusions easy to see and very easy to see (SI2) for the trained grader. Normally inclusions are in the center of the diamond, acting more severe than if off to the side. Typical inclusions would contain included crystals, feathers and clouds. Inclusions generally not affecting the stones durability.

Imperfect (I1, I2 & I3): (I1) Obvious inclusions to the trained grader under 10X, and can be seen face-up with the naked eye. (I2 & I3) Inclusions are so many that they affect the transparency and durability of the diamond.

Almost all diamonds on the market do have some sort of inclusions or blemishes in them. Since there are so many combinations of inclusions, the size, nature, location, color and number of inclusions in the diamond you are choosing can actually make your diamond like a fingerprint, very unique with no other exactly the same. You will always know your own diamond by identifying its clarity characteristics.

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