Diamond Clarity
Absolutely flawless diamonds are as
rare as absolutely colorless diamonds.
In fact, almost all diamonds have at least
a few imperfections, external/internal
blemishes or irregularities,when viewed
under a microscope or with 10xjeweler’s
loupe.
Nevertheless, the presence and location of
inclusions bears upon diamond value since
they can impact a gem’s brilliance. Certified
diamonds come with a description of the type
and location of each imperfection.
Clarity Grading Scale
FL = Completely Flawless under 10X magnification
IF = Internally Flawless under 10X magnification (only external flaws, which could be
removed by more polishing)
VVS1 -VVS2 = Very, Very Slight Inclusions. Minor flaws detectable only by expert
professional under 10X magnification
VS1 -VS2 = Very Slight Inclusions detectable only under 10X magnification
SI1 - SI-12 = Slight Inclusions detectable (with increasing ease) under 10X magnification
I-1 - I-3 = Imperfect. Imperfections visible with the naked eye.
Diamonds that come with an evaluation certificate from GIA or other independent
laboratory, itemize such imperfections, using a proprietary clarity vocabulary, including:
Pinpoint: A small white dot on the diamond’s surface.
Carbon: A small black dot on the diamond’s surface.
Clouds: Hazy areas inside the diamond
Crystal Growth: Small crystalline growth inside the diamond
Feathers: Tiny cracks inside the stone Large feathers may “grow” over time,
making the diamond more vulnerable to breakage
(Most people view a diamond with only the naked eye, however, so internal perfection may
not be worth the added cost, if a diamond is otherwise alluring, fiery, and dazzling. To
almost every naked eye, diamonds graded IF through SI probably will appear to be
identical in clarity.)