About Diamond Clarity Characteristics

Diamonds come in all shapes and sizes. The characteristics of cut, color, carat and clarity of a diamond are what one needs to become familiar with when shopping for diamonds. The various ranges of diamond clarity can make shoppers confused. Clarity simply means how many inclusions are in the diamond. These inclusions can be scratches, trace minerals or other flaws that may or may not be seen with the naked eye.

Function

Types FL, IF

Flawless (FL) or internally flawless (IF) diamond clarity means that the naked eye cannot see any flaws and these are typically very rare and beautiful diamonds.

Types VVS1, VVS2

Magnification of 10x will not show inclusions in diamonds of very, very slightly included (VVS) diamonds. These are considered great quality diamonds that may have a high price tag.

Types VS1, VS2

Very slightly included (VS) diamonds will show inclusions under 10x magnification but they will not be seen by the naked eye. These are more reasonably priced and are considered a great buy.

Types SI1, SI2

Slightly included (SI) diamonds show the inclusions under 10x magnification and will most likely be visible to the naked eye. This clarity is widely popular and a great buy for those looking for high sparkle and beauty.

Types I1, I2, I3

Included (I) diamonds have inclusions that are visible to the naked eye. Most retail outlets sell these diamonds, yet most online sellers will not carry them. These diamonds are still beautiful and sparkle, though not as well as the upgraded versions. When purchasing a diamond that is in this clarity range it is best to buy it in person so that you can examine the stone with your own eyes. It is also a good idea to ask the jeweler to step outside the brightly lit area so that you can see what the diamond looks like in natural light.

Considerations

References

• Blue Nile: Diamond Education
• The Diamond Buying Guide: Proof of Identity

Resources

• Gemological Institute of America: The Essential Four Cs, Clarity