DIAMOND EDUCATION

learn about DIAMOND CLARITY

Diamond Clarity: The Complete Guide to Grades, Inclusions & Value

Clarity describes a diamond’s internal and surface features — what matters is whether they affect beauty or durability. Learn how clarity grades work, what eye clean really means, and where the best value usually sits.

Diamond clarity is graded by the size, type, and position of inclusions and blemishes — but not all inclusions matter equally.

On this page you will learn what to prioritise by shape and size, which inclusion types to avoid, and how to balance clarity with cut and carat for the best looking result.

If you want a diamond that looks clean in normal wear, you do not need the highest grade; you need the right stone, screened properly. When you are ready, ask us to source a natural diamond or explore lab-grown options.

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DIAMOND EDUCATION

Diamond clarity explained

What the grade on the certificate actually means for what you see day to day.

THE BASICS

The diamond clarity grading scale

Eleven grades from Flawless to Included — and why most of them are invisible in everyday wear.

The GIA clarity scale runs from Flawless (FL) to Included (I3) across eleven grades. Flawless (FL) and Internally Flawless (IF) diamonds show no inclusions or blemishes under 10× magnification. Very Very Slightly Included (VVS1 and VVS2) grades contain minute inclusions that are difficult even for trained graders to locate. Very Slightly Included (VS1 and VS2) grades indicate minor inclusions that require effort to find under magnification. Slightly Included (SI1 and SI2) grades show inclusions noticeable under a loupe, which may or may not be visible to the naked eye. Included (I1, I2, and I3) grades have obvious inclusions that may affect transparency and brilliance.

Browse GIA and IGI certified diamonds

WHAT TO LOOK FOR

Types of inclusion and why position matters

Inclusions take many forms. Crystals are mineral deposits trapped during growth — they can be colourless, white, or dark, and their position matters enormously. A dark crystal sitting directly beneath the table facet will be far more visible than one hidden near the girdle. Feathers are small fractures that appear white and wispy; most are harmless, but large feathers or those in vulnerable positions can raise durability concerns. Clouds are clusters of tiny pinpoint inclusions that, individually, are invisible — but in sufficient density they can make a diamond look hazy or milky. This cloudiness effect does not always show on a grading certificate, which is why certificate reading alone is insufficient.

The most practical question is not what grade a diamond carries — it is whether it looks clean in everyday wear.

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THE PRACTICAL TEST

Eye clean vs graded clarity

Eye clean means no inclusions are visible to the naked eye when viewing the diamond face-up at a normal distance of around 25–30cm. A well-positioned VS2 inclusion is virtually always eye clean. Many SI1 diamonds are also eye clean, particularly in brilliant cuts like round, oval, cushion, and pear, where the complex facet pattern scatters light and makes inclusions harder to spot. The same SI1 grade in a step cut — emerald or asscher — may tell a different story, because the broad open facets act as windows into the stone.

SHAPE MATTERS

How cut style affects your clarity choice

Brilliant cuts are more forgiving of inclusions than step cuts. The triangular and kite-shaped facets of a round brilliant break up light so effectively that inclusions are concealed even when present. A step cut’s long parallel facets do the opposite — they create depth and transparency that reveals what is inside. If you are drawn to an emerald cut or asscher, budgeting for VS2 or higher is usually worthwhile, particularly for larger stones where inclusions become easier to spot.

SIZE AND CLARITY

Carat weight and clarity

Larger diamonds show inclusions more readily. A 0.5ct SI1 stone that is eye clean may have an equivalent inclusion in a 1.5ct stone that becomes visible. Position and inclusion type still matter — but as a guiding principle, higher carat weight warrants more careful clarity screening. Our team accounts for this when building shortlists, assessing each stone’s specific inclusion map rather than treating the grade as the final word.

OUR RECOMMENDATION

Where the best value sits: VS2 to SI1

For most engagement ring buyers, VS2 to SI1 offers the best balance of visual quality and value. Diamonds in this range are typically eye clean across most shapes and sizes, while avoiding the significant premium attached to VVS and Flawless grades — a premium that reflects rarity rather than visible beauty. The budget saved on clarity can be meaningfully reinvested in cut quality, which has the greatest single impact on how a diamond looks, or in carat weight if size is the priority. When you are ready to look at stones, you can ask us to source natural diamond options or explore lab-grown diamonds, which offer identical optical properties at a lower price point.

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Diamond education

How diamond clarity is graded

Clarity is graded face up under 10x magnification, with attention to the size, nature, and placement of inclusions. The certificate grade is useful, but it does not tell you everything about what you will notice day to day.

Two diamonds with the same clarity grade can look very different. A small inclusion near the edge can be far less noticeable than a dark crystal under the centre. Transparency matters too — a diamond with heavy clouds can look dull even if the grade sounds acceptable.

GIA diamond clarity scale from Flawless to Included — FL, VVS1, VVS2, VS1, VS2, SI1, SI2, I1, I2, I3

GIA international diamond clarity scale — FL through I3

GIA clarity grade groups

  • FL–IF
    Flawless
    No inclusions visible, even under 10× magnification
  • VVS
    Very Very Small Inclusions
    Minute inclusions, difficult for a skilled grader to see
  • VS
    Very Small Inclusions
    Minor inclusions, observed with effort under magnification
  • SI
    Small Inclusions
    Inclusions noticeable to a skilled grader under 10× loupe
  • I
    Included
    Obvious inclusions, may affect transparency and brilliance

Our advice

For most settings, we recommend VS2–SI1 as the sweet spot — eye-clean to the naked eye at a meaningful saving over FL–VVS, allowing you to reinvest in cut quality and carat weight instead.

Diamond clarity

Diamond clarity grading

Move the slider to explore how clarity affects the appearance of a diamond, from flawless to visibly included.

Diamond clarity visualisation

Clarity grade

FL

FL — Flawless

FL Grade

Flawless. No inclusions or blemishes visible under 10× magnification.

Good to know

Fewer than 1% of all certified diamonds achieve FL status. It is the pinnacle of natural clarity — a designation sought by collectors and those who want nothing less than the rarest.

Flawless FL · IF

The rarest clarity category. No inclusions or blemishes are visible under 10× magnification by a skilled grader. Fewer than 1% of all certified diamonds receive this designation.

Not sure which clarity grade is right for you? Our team can help you find the ideal balance of quality and value.

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Every diamond we supply is independently graded and certified by GIA or IGI.

Diamond clarity explained by GIA

In this video, GIA experts explain how clarity is graded and why most inclusions do not impact what you see day to day. Use it as a foundation, then focus on visibility and transparency — which is where the real difference shows up in wear.

Clarity guide

Choosing the right clarity grade

The grade on the certificate is a useful starting point, but it does not tell you everything about what you will notice day to day.

  • Best value ranges

    VS2 to SI1 is often the sweet spot for engagement rings. Many diamonds in this range look clean in normal wear, while avoiding the significant price jump of VVS and above.

    For brilliant cuts like round, oval, and cushion, you can often prioritise cut quality and millimetre spread first, then choose the cleanest-looking option within your clarity range.

    Our recommendation

  • When to go higher

    Step cuts like emerald and asscher tend to show inclusions more easily because of their broad facets and open windows. Larger carat sizes can also reveal inclusions sooner, especially when you view the diamond from the side.

    If you want a crisp, minimal-inclusion look in a step cut, many buyers prefer VS grades. We guide you based on your shape, size, and setting.

  • What we avoid

    We avoid inclusions that are likely to be visible face-up or that reduce transparency. That includes dark crystals under the table, heavy clouds that make a diamond look hazy, and inclusions that create a dull centre.

    We also flag durability risks — surface-reaching features in vulnerable areas. If a stone carries a higher risk, it does not make the shortlist unless you explicitly want it and understand the trade-offs.

Everything you need to know

Frequently asked questions about diamond clarity

Eye clean means that inclusions are not visible to the naked eye when viewing the diamond face-up at a normal distance of around 25–30cm in everyday lighting. A diamond can be eye clean at SI1 or even SI2 depending on the type, size, and position of the inclusion — which is why we assess each stone individually rather than relying on the grade alone.

Not always. SI1 is often eye clean in brilliant cuts like round, oval, and cushion, where the facet pattern breaks up light and makes inclusions harder to spot. In step cuts like emerald or asscher, the same SI1 inclusion may be clearly visible because of the broad, open facet structure. We check every SI1 stone before recommending it.

In most cases, no. Minor inclusions in VS and SI grades rarely interfere with how light travels through the stone. The exception is heavy cloudiness — a dense cluster of pinpoint inclusions that can reduce transparency and make a diamond look milky or dull. This is not always reflected in the clarity grade, which is why we flag it specifically when reviewing certificates.

For emerald cuts, we generally recommend VS2 or higher. The long, open facets of a step cut act like windows into the stone — inclusions that would be invisible in a round brilliant can be clearly visible in an emerald cut of the same clarity grade. For buyers who want a completely clean look in a step cut, VS1 is a safer starting point.

For most buyers, no. The difference between VVS and VS2 is invisible without magnification, and even trained graders can take time to find inclusions at VVS grades. The price premium for VVS over VS reflects rarity, not visible beauty. Unless you specifically want the highest graded stone for investment or resale reasons, that budget is usually better spent on cut quality or carat weight.

The ones we flag most often are dark crystals positioned under the table facet (visible face-up and hard to hide in a setting), heavy clouds that reduce transparency, and surface-reaching features like chips or cavities in vulnerable positions. Feathers — small fractures — are worth attention if they are large or in an area at risk during setting. We note all of these when reviewing your shortlist.

Every diamond we source is independently certified by either the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) or the International Gemological Institute (IGI). Certificates are provided with every piece so you have full confidence in what you are purchasing.

Most bespoke commissions are completed within four to eight weeks from design approval, depending on complexity and stone availability. We will always confirm a lead time at the start of your project and keep you updated throughout.

Yes. Our entire bespoke process can be completed remotely via video consultation and secure delivery across the United Kingdom. Many of our clients have never visited us in person and have been very happy with the result.

We are happy to discuss using a stone or metal from an existing piece. We will assess the material during your consultation and advise honestly on what is possible before any commitment is made.

Still have a question? Our team typically responds within one business day.

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Diamond education

The four Cs — what they mean for your diamond

Cut, colour, clarity, and carat weight each affect what you see and what you pay. Understanding the trade-offs is how you get the best stone for your budget.

The 4 Cs

Cut

Cut is the single biggest driver of brilliance. A well-cut stone returns light cleanly to the eye — a poorly cut one looks flat, whatever its colour or carat weight. We prioritise Excellent and Ideal grades for every stone we source.

Cut guide

The 4 Cs

Colour

Colour grades how colourless a diamond appears on a D–Z scale. The difference between D and G is invisible to most eyes — but significant on price. We guide you to the grade where you stop noticing and start saving.

Colour guide

The 4 Cs

Clarity

Clarity grades the size and position of inclusions inside the stone. Most are invisible to the naked eye — a VS2 or SI1 in the right stone looks identical to a flawless grade in everyday wear, at a meaningful saving.

Clarity guide

The 4 Cs

Carat

Carat is weight, not size — and the two do not always agree. Shape and cut affect how large a diamond looks on the finger. A 0.90ct well-cut oval will often appear larger than a 1.05ct round with a mediocre cut.

Carat guide

Our process

How we help you choose online

Buying a diamond online without being able to see it demands a different kind of service. Here is exactly how we work.

  • Sourced to order

    We do not hold stock. Every diamond is sourced fresh for you from a network of trusted suppliers and marketplaces — which means access to a far wider selection than any single showroom could carry.

    Once you choose a stone, we confirm availability and secure it before any work begins on your setting.

    Selection Thousands of stones, filtered for you

  • Shortlisted with guidance

    You receive a curated shortlist with certificates, precise millimetre measurements, and plain-language notes on what each clarity grade means for that specific shape and size.

    We explain the trade-offs — size versus clarity, cut versus colour — so you can decide based on what you actually care about, not just what looks good on paper.

    Turnaround Shortlist within 1–2 business days

  • Checked for visibility and risk

    Before anything is confirmed, we assess each shortlisted diamond for inclusions likely to be visible face-up, clouds that affect transparency, and durability concerns — particularly surface-reaching features in vulnerable positions.

    If a stone is a poor bet at its price, we say so and offer a better alternative.

    Our standard Eye-clean unless you request otherwise

    How we work

Standards & Provenance

Certified and responsibly sourced

Every diamond we supply is independently graded and responsibly sourced.

IGI — International Gemological Institute

IGI Certified Diamonds

Diamonds independently graded by IGI for cut, colour, clarity, and carat.

Independent grading
GIA — Gemological Institute of America

GIA Certified Diamonds

Diamonds graded by GIA, widely recognised as the global standard for diamond certification.

Global standard
Kimberley Process Certification Scheme

Kimberley Process Compliant

Diamonds sourced in compliance with the Kimberley Process to prevent conflict diamonds.

Conflict-free sourcing

Every stone verified. Every source accountable.

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