A diamond’s clarity refers to the presence of identifying characteristics on and within the diamond. While most of these clarity characteristics are inherent qualities of the rough diamonds and have been present since the earliest stages of diamonds crystal’s growth below ground, a few clarity Inclusions are actually a result of the harsh stress that a diamond undergoes during the cutting process itself.

If you think about the incredible amount of pressure it takes to create a diamond, it’s no surprise that many diamonds have clarity inclusion – scratches, blemishes, air bubbles or non-diamond mineral material – on their surface or inside diamonds with no or few inclusions and blemishes are more highly valued than those with less clarity, not just because they are more pleasing to the eye, but also because they are very rare.

Diamonds are graded for clarity under 10x loupe magnification. Clarity grades range from Internally flawless, diamonds which are completely free of blemishes and inclusions even under 10 x magnifications, to imperfect 3, diamonds which possess large, heavy blemishes and inclusions that are visible to the naked eye.

Clarity

FL: No Inclusion visible under 10x

IF: Internally Flawless; only externally Flawless are present, which can be removed by further polishing the stone

VVS1 - VVS2: Only an expert can detect inclusions with a 10x microscope. By definition, if an expert can only see a inclusion from the top of the diamond, it is a VVS2.  Otherwise, if an expert can only detect inclusions when viewing the bottom of the stone, then it is a VVS1.

VS1 – VS2: You can see inclusions with a 10x microscope.

SI1 – SI2: You can see inclusions with a 10x microscope.

I1 – I3: You can see inclusions with the naked eye.