Clarity measures the internal and external characteristics of a diamond — the tiny inclusions and blemishes formed as it crystallized deep in the earth. Along with color, cut, and carat, clarity is one of the 4 Cs, and it’s often the grade buyers misunderstand most, since “flawless” sounds like the obvious best choice when it’s rarely the best value choice.
What Is Diamond Clarity?
Every diamond has some combination of:
- Inclusions: Internal characteristics — tiny crystals, feathers, or clouds trapped inside the stone during formation.
- Blemishes: External characteristics — small marks or nicks on the diamond’s surface, often from cutting and polishing.
Clarity grading evaluates the size, number, position, and visibility of these features under 10x magnification.
The Full Diamond Clarity Chart (GIA Scale)
| Grade | Clarity Code | Category | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FL | FL | Flawless | No inclusions or blemishes visible under 10x magnification |
| IF | IF | Internally Flawless | No internal inclusions visible under 10x; minor surface blemishes only |
| VVS1 | VVS1 | Very, Very Slightly Included | Inclusions extremely difficult to see under 10x, even for a trained grader |
| VVS2 | VVS2 | Very, Very Slightly Included | Inclusions very difficult to see under 10x |
| VS1 | VS1 | Very Slightly Included | Minor inclusions, difficult to see under 10x |
| VS2 | VS2 | Very Slightly Included | Minor inclusions, somewhat easier to locate under 10x |
| SI1 | SI1 | Slightly Included | Inclusions noticeable under 10x magnification, usually not visible to the naked eye |
| SI2 | SI2 | Slightly Included | Inclusions more easily noticeable under 10x; occasionally visible without magnification |
| I1 | I1 | Included | Inclusions visible to the naked eye, may affect transparency slightly |
| I2 | I2 | Included | Inclusions clearly visible to the naked eye, more noticeably affect appearance |
| I3 | I3 | Included | Inclusions very visible, can affect durability and brilliance |
Individual Clarity Grades Explained
Shoppers usually look up one specific grade at a time when reading a certificate, so here’s what each one means on its own — including the exact grade codes jewelers use.
What Is a Flawless (FL) Diamond?
FL is the highest clarity grade possible: no inclusions or blemishes are visible under 10x magnification, even to a trained grader. Flawless diamonds are extremely rare and priced primarily for that rarity and prestige — the visual difference versus a VVS1 is undetectable without a loupe.
What Is an Internally Flawless (IF) Diamond?
IF diamonds have no internal inclusions visible under 10x magnification, though minor surface blemishes may exist (and can often be polished out). IF is a step below FL in rarity and price, with no visible difference to the eye.
What Is a VVS1 Clarity Diamond?
VVS1 stands for “Very, Very Slightly Included, grade 1.” Inclusions are extremely difficult to find even under 10x magnification and require an experienced grader to locate. VVS1 is a top-tier, investment-grade clarity choice.
What Is a VVS2 Clarity Diamond?
VVS2 is one small step below VVS1 — inclusions are still very difficult to see under magnification, but marginally easier to locate than in a VVS1. To the naked eye, there’s no difference at all.
What Is a VS1 Clarity Diamond?
VS1 stands for “Very Slightly Included, grade 1.” Inclusions are minor and difficult to spot under 10x magnification; VS1 diamonds are reliably eye-clean and represent strong value for buyers who want a high clarity grade without paying VVS-level prices.
What Is a VS2 Clarity Diamond?
VS2 inclusions are still minor but somewhat easier to locate under magnification than VS1. VS2 remains eye-clean in the vast majority of cases and is one of the most popular clarity grades for engagement rings because of its balance of quality and price.
What Is an SI1 Clarity Diamond?
SI1 stands for “Slightly Included, grade 1.” Inclusions are noticeable under 10x magnification but are usually not visible to the naked eye, making SI1 widely considered the best-value clarity grade for most buyers — it looks clean while costing meaningfully less than VS or VVS grades.
What Is an SI2 Clarity Diamond?
SI2 inclusions are more easily noticeable under magnification and can occasionally be visible without it, especially in larger stones or step cuts like emerald and asscher. SI2 can still be a good value pick if you inspect the specific stone (or its certificate plot) to confirm it’s eye-clean.
What Is an I1 Clarity Diamond?
I1 diamonds have inclusions visible to the naked eye. They cost significantly less than SI grades but the trade-off in visible clarity is real; best suited for smaller stones or budget-driven purchases where visible inclusions are an acceptable trade-off.
What Is an I2 Clarity Diamond?
I2 inclusions are clearly visible without magnification and can noticeably affect brilliance and transparency. Generally not recommended for center stones in engagement rings.
What Is an I3 Clarity Diamond?
I3 is the lowest clarity grade — inclusions are very visible and, depending on location and size, can affect the diamond’s durability as well as its appearance. I3 stones should be inspected carefully before purchase.
Diamond Clarity Rating Chart: What You Can Actually See
| Naked-eye appearance | Grades |
|---|---|
| No inclusions visible even with a loupe | FL, IF |
| No inclusions visible to the naked eye, very hard to find even magnified | VVS1, VVS2 |
| No inclusions visible to the naked eye | VS1, VS2 |
| Usually eye-clean, occasionally a tiny inclusion visible on close inspection | SI1 |
| May show a small visible inclusion without magnification | SI2 |
| Inclusions visible to the naked eye | I1, I2, I3 |
Combined Diamond Color and Clarity Chart
Color and clarity work together to determine both appearance and price. Here’s how they typically pair up for different budgets and priorities:
| Priority | Suggested Color | Suggested Clarity |
|---|---|---|
| Investment-grade / rare | D–F | FL–VVS2 |
| High quality, still exceptional value | G–H | VS1–VS2 |
| Best everyday value (recommended for most buyers) | G–I | SI1 |
| Budget-conscious, warm metal setting | I–J | SI1–SI2 |
| Maximum size for budget | J–K | SI2 |
Carat and Clarity Chart: Why Size Matters
Inclusions become easier to see as a diamond gets larger, because there’s more surface area and volume for light to travel through:
- Under 1 carat: SI1 or even SI2 is usually eye-clean.
- 1–2 carats: Aim for VS2 or SI1 to stay safely eye-clean.
- Over 2 carats: Consider VS1 or better, since inclusions in larger stones are proportionally more visible.
Cut style also matters: step cuts like emerald or asscher cuts have large, open facets that make inclusions easier to spot, so a higher clarity grade (VS1+) is recommended for those shapes. Brilliant cuts like round or princess scatter light in ways that help hide inclusions, so SI1–SI2 often looks clean even at larger sizes.
Different Diamond Clarity Charts: Why Numbers Sometimes Vary Slightly
You may see slightly different clarity charts from different labs (GIA, AGS, IGI). The underlying concepts are the same, but:
- AGS uses a numeric 0–10 scale that roughly maps to GIA’s letter grades.
- IGI and GIA use the same FL-to-I3 letter scale, but grading can vary slightly in strictness between labs — GIA is generally considered the most conservative and consistent.
Always check which lab issued the certificate, since a “VS1” from a less strict lab may look more like a GIA VS2 in person.
Which Clarity Grade Should You Buy?
For most engagement ring buyers, the answer is: buy the lowest clarity grade that is still eye-clean, and put the savings toward carat weight or a better cut grade instead. Cut quality affects a diamond’s sparkle far more than clarity does once you’re in the eye-clean range (SI1 and above), so prioritizing cut over an ultra-high clarity grade generally produces a more brilliant-looking diamond for the same budget.
Diamond Clarity Chart FAQs
What is the best clarity grade for an engagement ring? SI1 is widely recommended as the best value — it’s typically eye-clean while costing significantly less than VS or VVS grades.
What does “eye-clean” mean? It means no inclusions are visible to the naked eye under normal lighting and viewing distance, even if they’re visible under 10x magnification.
Is VS2 or SI1 better? VS2 has fewer/smaller inclusions and costs more. SI1 is usually still eye-clean and offers better value — the “better” choice depends on budget and how much importance you place on the certificate grade itself versus visible appearance.
Does clarity affect a diamond’s sparkle? Only at lower grades (I1–I3), where inclusions can interfere with light performance. From FL down through SI1/SI2, cut quality has a far greater impact on sparkle than clarity does.
What is an I1 diamond, and should I avoid it?
I1 diamonds have inclusions visible to the naked eye. They’re not necessarily “bad,” but the inclusions are noticeable, and very included stones (especially I2/I3) can have minor durability concerns if inclusions reach the surface.