Diamond Clarity Guide

Clear clarity diamond in a yellow gold solitaire ring

Simple and elegant – a clear cushion cut diamond in a yellow gold setting made by Abe Mor

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What is Diamond Clarity?

Diamond clarity is a qualitative metric that grades the visual appearance of each diamond. The fewer inclusions and blemishes a diamond has, the better its clarity grade will be based on the GIA diamond clarity chart.

The clarity of a diamond can have a significant impact on its price (it’s one of the most important 4 Cs). However, many imperfections that affect a diamond’s clarity grade aren’t visible to the naked or unaided eye. (Clarity and color are what people notice first from the 4 Cs. )

Here’s what we’ll cover in this article:

What is diamond clarity?
What is a diamond clarity chart?
How are clarity grades determined?
What is the GIA diamond clarity grading scale?
What are the common mistakes made with diamond clarity?
What are the types of inclusions in diamond clarity?
What is the best diamond clarity grade?
Buying tips for diamond clarity
What is a clarity-enhanced diamond?
Bottom line recommendation

Why you should trust us

To help you with the diamond buying process we lean on our expertise and experience. The author of this article, our CEO, Mike Fried has over 20 years of experience in the diamond industry. Mike started from the bottom, sorting and evaluating hundreds of thousands of diamonds to learn every facet (pun intended) of diamond quality and value. Mike followed that up by spending years buying and selling diamonds on the wholesale market as well as selling tens of millions of dollars worth of diamonds to diamond retailers.

Mike Fried has written hundreds of articles and helped answer more than 30,000 emails from our readers. This has given him a unique perspective on what information truly helps our readers in their quest for finding the perfect diamond engagement ring or piece of jewelry.

Mike is recognized as an industry expert and has been quoted in publications such as Us, People, Page Six, The Next Web and more.

To read more about our process for secret shopping and reviewing companies and additional details about how we operate, check out this article.

What is a Diamond Clarity Chart?

To provide shoppers with an understanding of each diamond’s clarity level, grading entities like the Gemological Institute Of America (GIA) and American Gem Society (AGS) use diamond clarity charts to judge diamonds based on their appearance and give each stone a clarity grade within a given scale.

Diamond clarity scales range from I (meaning “included”) to FL (meaning “flawless”). Each clarity grade has subgrades which provide more information about the visibility of inclusions in the diamond.

Internally Flawless (IF)

Internally Flawless / Flawless – No internal or external imperfections. Flawless diamonds are extremely rare.

Here’s an example of an FL/IF diamond

Very Very Small Inclusions 1 (VVS1)

Very Very Slightly Included (1st Degree) – Diamond clarity inclusions rated VVS1 are not visible at all under 10x magnification.

Here’s an example of an VVS1 diamond

Very Very Small Inclusions 2 (VVS2)

Very Very Slightly Included (2nd Degree) – Diamond clarity inclusions rated VVS2 are sometimes just barely visible under 10x magnification (standard jeweler’s loupe). When they are visible, they are quite difficult to find and can often take quite a while to locate.

Here’s an example of an VVS2 diamond

Very Small Inclusions 1 (VS1)

Very Slightly Included (1st Degree) – VS1 diamond clarity inclusions are just barely visible under 10x magnification (standard jeweler’s loupe). When looking for VS1 clarity inclusions with a loupe, it can sometimes take a good few seconds until the pinpoint is located.

Here’s an example of an VS1 diamond

Very Small Inclusions 2 (VS2)

Very Slightly Included (2nd Degree) – VS2 clarity inclusions are almost always easily noticeable at 10x magnification (standard jeweler’s loupe). Occasionally, the inclusion will be located in a difficult-to-spot location, but otherwise, the inclusion is large enough that it can be spotted quickly under magnification.

Here’s an example of an VS2 diamond

Small Inclusions 1 (SI1)

Slightly Included (1st Degree) – SI1 Clarity inclusions are easily found with a standard jeweler’s loupe at 10x magnification. With most shapes (to the exclusion of step cuts like Asscher and Emerald Cuts), SI1 clarity inclusions are almost always clean to the naked eye.

Here’s an example of an SI1 diamond

Small Inclusions 2 (SI2)

Slightly Included (2nd Degree) – SI2 clarity inclusions are seen clearly and obviously with the help of a jeweler’s loupe. With step cuts like Emerald and Asscher cuts, an SI2 clarity inclusion will most likely be visible to the naked eye.

Here’s an example of an SI2 diamond

Inclusions 1 (I1)

Included (1st Degree) – I1 clarity inclusions are even more obvious and clearly seen than SI2 clarity inclusions. Most I1 inclusions are visible to the naked eye—even on brilliant cuts.

Here’s an example of an I1 diamond

If you want help finding a diamond that has inclusions, yet is eye-clean, feel free to .

How Are Clarity Grades Determined?

Natural diamonds are formed in the earth’s mantle layer at a depth ranging between 80-120 miles, and they face extreme heat up to 2,200 degrees Fahrenheit. While their growth takes between one billion to three billion years, only the rarest diamonds emerge in perfect condition. Most often they are imperfect and contain varying amounts of internal inclusions and surface blemishes.

As the AGS explains, inclusions usually develop as a result of heat and pressure, while blemishes tend to appear during the cutting and polishing process, or as a result of wear that affects the surface of the diamond.

When determining the clarity of diamonds on a clarity scale, experts will note the appearance of the diamond when it is face up, with a microscope at 10x magnification and eye visibility. However, to identify any diamond inclusions there may be, a higher power than 10x will be used. Otherwise, it may be too difficult to determine.

Artificial Intelligence is playing a more prominent role in diamond grading. According to Rapaport Magazine, “Today, using artificial intelligence (AI) has become a go-to method for grading diamonds.” The GIA developed its own AI-based system for grading diamonds in partnership with IBM, with the system going into operation in GIA labs in 2020.

The GIA AI clarity grading “is built on globally accepted standards — the GIA International Diamond Grading System — and [on the] GIA’s decades of research and analysis from tens of millions of diamonds” added Tom Moses of the GIA.

Five factors play a significant role in how a diamond is graded, and how its “score” on the diamond clarity chart is determined. These five roles in diamond grading include size, nature, number, location, and the relief of the inclusions.

1. Size

The size of the inclusions in a diamond is one of the most important factors in determining its clarity grade. This is because the bigger the inclusions, the larger the impact they’ll have on a diamond’s appearance.

2. Nature

Nature refers to the type of inclusions that can be seen in the diamond, as well as the depth of these inclusions within the diamond. This aspect also covers other characteristics of inclusions that can be seen inside the diamond.

When inclusions are situated on a diamond’s surface and don’t penetrate into the diamond, they are typically referred to as blemishes, rather than inclusions.

3. Number

Grading entities also take into account the number of inclusions within a diamond. If a diamond has a large number of inclusions, even if small, they can have a large impact on its appearance and clarity.

The larger the number of inclusions, blemishes and other clarity characteristics, the greater the impact on a diamond’s beauty.

Pro Tip: Don’t focus on the GIA diamond clarity grade too much. Yes, the vast majority of SI2 clarity diamonds are not eye-clean. Who cares? You aren’t buying 100 diamonds, you are buying one. Selecting an eye clean SI2 diamond like this one from Blue Nile, you get a better looking diamond (in this case) to this VS2 diamond from BN for significantly less money.

4. Location

The location of an inclusion refers to where on the diamond the inclusion is located. If the inclusion is situated in closer proximity to the center of the table, then the inclusion is more visible to the eye and the clarity grade will be impacted much more.

If the inclusion is close to the girdle, which is much further from the center table, then the inclusion may be more difficult to see. Inclusions found near pavilions of the diamond can reflect, and the facets will then act as mirrors which, meaning the inclusion will then be reflected.

Finally, if you can see the inclusion when you focus your attention past the culet, then there will be much less of an impact on the diamond’s clarity grade. However, certain clarity features may also be slightly obscured or even emphasized due to the shape, proportions, and facet arrangement of the diamond.

5. Relief

The relief is referring to how noticeable the inclusions are in comparison with the diamond — put simply, how much contrast there is between the diamond and the inclusions. The higher the relief, the darker the color may seem which can affect diamond grading.

Diamond Clarity Grading Scale by GIA

The Most Common Mistake With Diamond Clarity

When buying a diamond, we always emphasize the importance of spending the majority of your budget on the things you’ll notice the most (such as cut quality and carat weight), then spending only as much as needed on the other of the four Cs (clarity and color).

According to the GIA, “Many inclusions and blemishes are too tiny to be seen by anyone other than a trained diamond grader. To the naked eye, a VS1 and an SI2 diamond may look exactly the same..”

The most common mistake people make when buying diamonds is purchasing a diamond with a clarity grade that is simply too high to appreciate in order to buy a “good investment.”

This results in overspending on a feature that looks good on paper, but has minimal impact on a diamond’s appearance in real life.

Think You’re A Diamond Pro?

These are both beautiful 2 Carat H color diamonds
One is VS2 clarity and costs $29,590
The other is VVS1 and costs $31,980
Can you tell which is which?

The reality of diamond clarity is that many of the inclusions that make the difference between an FL or IF (flawless or internally flawless) clarity grade and a VVS1 clarity grade, for example, are completely invisible to the naked eye.

This means that by focusing on a diamond’s clarity grade rather than its appearance, you’ll end up spending money that could instead be put towards a larger diamond.

The section below contains real magnified images of GIA certified diamonds. I have chosen to use Asscher Cuts & Emerald Cuts, as these step-cut diamond shapes tend to show inclusions the clearest.

It should become clear from the images below why it is so crucial to only buy diamonds from an online vendor (Like James Allen, Blue Nile and Brian Gavin Diamonds) that provides you with high-quality images of their diamonds.

FL/ IF (Flawless / Internally Flawless)

FL/IL clarity Asscher cut diamond

If you see anything at all on diamonds with a Flawless clarity grade, you can be assured that it is merely dust. For example, if you click on the sample image here, you’ll notice there is a tiny speck on the bottom part of the table. That tiny speck, if it were an inclusion inside the diamond, would probably render the stone a VVS2.

VVS1 (Very Very Slightly Included – 1st Degree)

VVS1 clarity Asscher cut diamond

The tiny pinpoints can only be seen under a powerful microscope. I have offered this sample diamond from James Allen, but there really isn’t a need. VVS1 size inclusions aren’t visible at this level of magnification. A regular photograph, even a highly magnified one, can only focus on one level of depth.

If a VVS-size inclusion is in a diamond, and the image is focused on a different layer of depth, there is no chance the pinpoint inclusion will be visible.

VVS2 (Very Very Slightly Included – 2nd Degree)

VVS2 clarity Asscher cut diamond

If you click on the diamond picture here, you can barely make out the VVS2 inclusions. Generally, however, you need a gemological microscope to identify a VVS2 inclusion since, often, the inclusion pattern is not one larger speck, but a few separate VVS1 sized spots that collectively equal a VVS2 clarity grade. Since each of the individual spots are too small to be seen with a jeweler’s loupe, one needs a microscope to identify them.

VS1 (Very Slightly Included – 1st Degree)

VS1 clarity Asscher cut diamond

Unlike VVS2 clarity inclusions, a microscope is never needed to locate a VS1. As you can see if you click on the sample diamond here, a VS1 clarity inclusion is still quite small and will never be visible to the naked eye.

VS2 (Very Slightly Included – 2nd Degree)

VS2 clarity Asscher cut diamond

VS2 clarity inclusions are almost always clean to the naked eye. This sample stone is somewhat of an extreme example (click on it to see more details). I specifically looked for a VS2 that was black and in the center of the stone to more easily illustrate the size of a VS2 inclusion.

The inclusion in the sample photo might very well be visible to the naked eye as a result of it being black, in the center, and in an emerald cut (which do not mask inclusions at all).

The sample stone here is a typical VS2.

VS2 clarity Asscher cut diamond

Keep in mind that the inclusion size is in relation to the size of the diamond. When buying a 4 carat diamond, a VS2 is more likely to be visible than in a 1 carat diamond.

SI1 (Slightly Included – 1st Degree)

SI1 clarity Asscher cut diamond

As with the poor VS2 sample before, the diamond chosen for the sample picture of an SI1 clarity inclusion is an extreme example chosen to show the maximum size and worst possible color of an SI1. One must remember that a clarity grade can be based on many different inclusion points within a diamond. It is less common (especially for SI1 and lower) that the clarity grade is based on one concentrated inclusion.

Usually, there are a number of smaller spots and clouds of tiny spots that make up the clarity grade. In these cases, since each individual inclusion is very small, the diamond looks clean to the naked eye.

Once you are in this range, you are best off for help picking something out to ensure its eye-clean.

SI2 (Slightly Included – 2nd Degree)

SI2 clarity Asscher cut diamond

With step cuts like Emerald and Asscher cuts, an SI2 clarity inclusion will most likely be visible to the naked eye. With other brilliant shapes (basically all the other common shapes), an SI2 clarity inclusion will usually be clean to the naked eye.

As with the SI1 sample photo before, I specifically chose a concentrated black center inclusion to illustrate just how bad an SI2 can get. A center black SI2 on an Emerald Cut is about as bad as an SI2 as there is. As I mentioned above regarding an SI1, in most cases, the SI2 clarity grade is made up of several (or many) smaller inclusions.

Another common trait is a “spready” SI2. In these cases, since the SI2 is spread out all over the stone, and not concentrated in any one area, the diamond is usually eye clean.

I1 (Included – 1st Degree)

I1 clarity Asscher cut diamond

I1 clarity inclusions are so obviously visible on step cuts (Asscher Cuts & Emerald Cuts) that you rarely see them produced. For example, look how awful the sample stone here appears when you click on it. Just because the sample picture is as hideous as it is doesn’t mean you can’t find a perfectly eye-clean beautiful I1 clarity diamond.

As I mentioned above, most clarity grades are comprised of several to many smaller inclusions spread out over the area of the diamond. In such cases, the I1 clarity inclusion will be much less noticeable to the naked eye, if at all.

Concentrated inclusions in the center of the diamond are the exception, not the rule. I show them here in this chart simply to show how bad each clarity grade can get.

Some companies will try to trick you with an “SI3” clarity. That is a red flag, warning you to be wary. We talk about this more in depth here.

If a diamond has even more significant inclusions than what’s acceptable for an I1 grade, they can get an I2. There isn’t a hige amount of these diamonds as the demand is low. An I2 diamond can look like this 5.19ct with a large number of etch channels.

Eye-Cleanliness is Paramount

In our opinion, your goal as someone buying a diamond should be to find the least expensive (in regards to clarity; other factors matter as well) diamond that’s still eye-clean, meaning it doesn’t have any inclusions that are visible to the naked eye.

“Eye-clean” diamonds may still have inclusions when viewed under a magnifying glass (or loupe or microscope). However, they appear free of inclusions in real life situations.

We have recently developed Ringo, a patented artificial intelligence model, that can examine videos of diamonds and determine if they are eye-clean. Ringo will also filter for other parameters like making sure the diamond is well-cut, doesn’t have fluorescence issues and will match the style setting you choose.

Ringo™ Approved Eye Clean Diamonds

What is Ringo?

Carat Weight 1.21

Color H

Clarity VS1

Check Price
Carat Weight 1.15

Color H

Clarity SI1

Check Price
Carat Weight 1.20

Color H

Clarity SI2

Check Price

Different Types of Inclusions in Diamond Clarity

Although the term inclusion is often used to refer to any type of imperfection in a diamond, there are several different types of inclusions that can affect a diamond’s appearance.

We’ve listed some of the most common types of diamond inclusions below and explained what effect each type of inclusion can have on a diamond’s clarity.

Cloud

A cloud isn’t one imperfection in a diamond — instead, it’s a group of very small pinpoints that are clustered together. Clouds can affect a diamond’s brilliance by giving it a dull, hazy look. If there are lots of large clouds within a diamond, we call it a cloudy diamond.

Graining

Graining is a type of internal inclusion that develops because of irregular crystal growth. When a diamond has graining, it will show white, colored or reflective internal lines that give the diamond a very hazy appearance.

Cavity

Cavities are surface dents or cracks in a diamond. They can appear colorless or colored based on the type of minerals that exist within the body of the diamond. If the crystal inclusions of the cavity are colored, they will then be much more obvious in appearance and can most likely be seen with the unaided eye.

Feather

Feathers are small cracks that, as their name suggests, have a feathery look when viewed from certain angles. Some feathers are obvious, while others are barely noticeable. When a diamond has feathers, they can either appear clear or capture light and give off a white appearance.

These are just a small number of possible inclusions you can find within diamonds. All of these inclusions play a role in a diamond’s clarity grade, as well as its appearance when viewed with your eye or under magnification.

When it comes to assessing a diamond’s inclusions, it’s always best to consider the advice of a professional. You should also look at the diamond’s GIA certificate for a fuller understanding of its inclusions and imperfections.

Clarity Features To Know

Clarity Plots

What is a clarity plot? A clarity plot is a figure that shows the locations and types of imperfections in a diamond. The flaws are identified by a skilled grader using 10x magnification. When you purchase a diamond and receive a GIA or AGS certificate, the report usually comes with a clarity plot, especially if the diamond is 1 Carat or heavier (see an example below).

Similar to a fingerprint, each plot is different. It provides you with the exact mapping of the diamond’s blemishes and inclusions. Seeing the clarity plot can help you examine the diamond to see if the imperfections are noticeable to the naked eye.

The GIA uses a few colors in a clarity plot to denote imperfections. Red usually identifies inclusions—the flaws inside of the stone. Green usually marks surface flaws.

While reviewing a clarity plot can be helpful, it’s not the only tool that you should use to evaluate a diamond’s clarity. Not every imperfection is listed on a clarity plot (the ones that don’t affect the visual appearance are usually listed only as comments) and you still want to review the diamond to make sure that it’s eye-clean.

Invisible Features

I worked in the diamond business for 6+ years. If you gave me a diamond with a VVS2 clarity grade, it might take me a few minutes with a 10x powered loupe to find the actual pinpoint of an imperfection that is the “Very Very Small Inclusion.”

I could find a VS1 in less time, but it’s only marginally larger than a VVS2. VS2s clarity grade inclusions can be spotted right away with a 10x powered loupe but are usually invisible to the naked eye.

When you reach SI1 and SI2 diamond clarity scale grades, however, you begin to find a much higher concentration of diamonds with eye-visible inclusions. Because of this visibility, it is imperative to limit your search to vendors with high-quality photos.

Of course, we encourage you to reach out to us and we’ll gladly help you choose the perfect SI1 or SI2 that is eye clean.

Now, if a diamond is simply a product that has features that you want to benefit from (i.e., its beauty), why pay a lot more for features from which you will never benefit?

Figure 1: I1 at 9x

Sliced Features

Think of your total investment in a diamond ring as a pie. Each feature of the diamond has its own slice of the pie and the more you spend on a feature the larger its slice (and therefore, another slice or slices must become smaller).

Wouldn’t it make sense to apportion the largest slices to the features you can actually derive benefit from? All you have to do for the other features is make sure the slice is sufficiently large that it doesn’t detract from the beauty of the diamond.

Unequal Inclusions

Unfortunately, though, things aren’t quite as simple as I’ve made them seem. An important thing to remember is that not all inclusions are created equal.

Inclusions can be shiny and some are almost completely clear. Some inclusions, though, are dead white and some are even stark black. Often inclusions are dead center in the middle of the diamond, and some are pushed so far off to the side, they aren’t noticed.

The clarity grade mainly takes into account the size of the inclusion, and rarely considers the color and opaqueness of the inclusion or its position.

What is the Best Diamond Clarity Grade?

The highest clarity grade for a diamond is FL, or flawless. The GIA only ever grades a diamond as flawless when it has no inclusions or blemishes that can be seen by a skilled grader, even if it’s viewed under 10x magnification.

When it comes to the best clarity grade for each diamond shape and budget, things become a little bit more complicated and subjective.

Since diamonds come in numerous different shapes and cut quality grades, there isn’t a single “best” clarity grade for every type of diamond.

The reason for this is that different types of diamonds show inclusions differently. For example, Asscher cut diamonds, which are cut so that nothing is hidden, are much more likely to display inclusions than round brilliant cut diamonds, which are cut for maximum light reflection.

The size of a diamond can also affect its chance of showing inclusions. As the carat weight of a diamond increases, so does the width of its table, increasing the likelihood of an inclusion being visible.

Instead of relying on a one-size-fits-all clarity grade for all diamonds, it’s best to select a clarity grade range based on the diamond shape you’re considering.

Which Clarity Grade is Best for Your Center Stone?

For a round cut diamond, this typically means a clarity grade of VS2 or SI1 for a diamond under 1 carat, or a clarity grade in the VS1 or VS2 range for diamonds of 1 carat or more.

Certain diamond shapes, such as the cushion cut, oval cut, radiant cut, marquise cut and pear shape, hide inclusions very well. For these shapes, you can often find a diamond that’s eye-clean in the SI1 or SI2 clarity range.

The princess cut diamond is a bit trickier as you have to be careful to not have inclusions in any of its corner. If there are any, the diamond can easily chip when it hits something.

For step cut diamonds, such as Asscher cuts, baguette cuts and emerald cuts, it’s important to go with a clarity grade of VS2 or better.

Above all, it’s important to choose a diamond that’s eye-clean. This means inspecting the stone manually to check for visible inclusions using the 360° viewing tools offered by James Allen and Blue Nile.

We’ve discussed this topic more in the section below and explained why it’s so important to take diamond shape into account when choosing a clarity grade.

Buying Tips For Diamond Clarity

Before purchasing a diamond, there are a few things to keep in mind to get the best value and beauty, especially when it comes to clarity.

1. Don’t overpay

It’s very easy to overpay for clarity. In most cases, a VS1 or VS2 diamond will be eye-clean just like an FL diamond, but cost far less. Instead of focusing on a certain clarity grade, choose the lowest clarity grade that still presents an eye-clean diamond. Your budget is better spent on factors that more greatly impact a diamond’s beauty, like cut quality.

2. Aim for the Best Diamond Clarity

The best clarity grade depends on the shape of your diamond. Like we mentioned above, some diamond shapes are much better at hiding inclusions and other imperfections than others.

Follow these recommendations to get the most value.

Round Cut Diamonds

The facet pattern of the round brilliant cut makes it excellent at making inclusions less visible. Choose a clarity grade of VS2 or SI1 for a round brilliant cut diamond of under 1 carat (sometimes even SI2 doesn’t have visible inclusions). For Round Cut diamonds 1 carat or over, a VS1 or VS2 will give you an eye-clean stone. The larger the diamond (carat weight can be a factor), the easier it is to see inclusions.

Emerald Cuts, Asscher Cuts and Baguettes

All these step-cut diamond shapes have large tables (top surface areas) that allow for a clear, unobstructed look into the diamond. This means that they display inclusions more clearly than other diamond shapes.

For these diamond shapes, we recommend limiting your search only to diamonds with a clarity grade of VS2 or better.

Cushion Cut, Oval Cut, Radiant Cut, Marquise and Pear Shaped (Princess Cut)

As these shapes hide inclusions better than other shapes, you can drop down to the SI1 to SI2 clarity grade range and still find eye-clean diamonds. These clarity grades will help you to get more for your budget.

3. Review the diamond closely

Besides looking at the certificate and clarity plot, carefully review the diamond to look for visible inclusions. Online vendors, particularly James Allen and Blue Nile, have high-end photography for just this purpose.

Look to see if you notice any blemishes or inclusions. If you do notice some, take note of where they are on the diamond. Are they in the middle of the table, where they’ll be visible, or near the edge of the diamond, where they could be covered up by the setting?

The main goal is to find a diamond that’s eye clean without overpaying. If you’re not sure, .

We recommend buying a diamond online, not just because of the value that’s available, but also because of the ease of comparing diamonds. Instead of the bright lighting in jewelry stores that can hide imperfections, online vendors offer objective, high-quality photography.

This makes the process of reviewing diamonds for clarity easier, helping you to avoid low quality diamonds and identify those that offer the right combination of eye-clean clarity and great value for money.

A Real World Test: Determining What Is Good Diamond Clarity

The first diamond I want to review is a 1.00 carat I1.

Figure 2: I1 at 18

This diamond is a perfect example of the great value you can find if you take advantage of high quality imagery on reputable online retailers.

In Figure 1, which is at 9x magnification, you can barely see anything. Had I not marked the inclusion in red, you probably would not have noticed it at all.

The inclusion is only slightly opaque, but best of all it is completely on the perimeter of the diamond. A skilled jeweler could easily cover this with a prong to give your diamond the appearance of being completely clean.

Hidden Inclusions

In Figure 2, you can see the same diamond, but with 18x magnification. In this picture, I have focused on the inclusion so you can better see how its color allows it to blend in with the natural color of the diamond.

The next diamond I want to review is a 1.01 carat VS2. As you can see in Figure 3, there is a very small inclusion almost dead center in the table of the diamond. Unfortunately, however, the inclusion is stark black.

Due to the combination of the inclusion’s position and its color, it is very possible it would be visible to the naked eye despite the fact that it has a clarity grade of VS2.

Figure 3: VS2 at 9xFigure 4: VS2 at 18x

Comparing Inclusions

In Figure 4, you see the same inclusion, but at 18x magnification.

Now take a look at the table below (Figure 5) of the two different diamonds’ features. They are virtually identical, save for three slight advantages the I1 has over the VS2 (No Fluorescence and Excellent polish, and slightly larger dimensions).

Now try to guess their prices. The VS2 is listed for $5,010 on James Allen.

The I1, which as I have shown isn’t simply a better value for your money spent, but is objectively speaking a better looking diamond? $3,290.

What is a Clarity Enhanced Diamond?

Clarity enhanced diamonds are diamonds with significant inclusions that undergo a treatment to improve their clarity. The aim of the treatment is to reduce the visibility of inclusions and produce a better looking, clearer diamond.

Several techniques are used to improve diamond clarity, such as laser drilling, deep boiling and fracture filling. These techniques either fill in the inclusions or disguise them. We’ve discussed these techniques more in our guide to enhanced diamonds.

While clarity enhancement techniques are effective, they have downsides. Some, such as laser drilling, can affect the durability of diamonds. Others, such as fracture filling, can give a diamond a cloudy or hazy appearance over time.

Enhanced diamonds aren’t certified by the GIA, meaning they often come with certificates from less reliable grading entities.

In general, we don’t recommend buying an enhanced diamond. Not only can the enhancement process affect the diamond’s structure and appearance, but diamonds of this type have limited resale value and are easily damaged during ring resizing and cleaning.

Don’t Invest in a Bad Decision

The greatest myth about diamonds is that they are a smart investment. Edward Jay Epstein, in his industry-shaking exposè on the “Diamond Invention” entitled “Have You Ever Tried to Sell a Diamond?” clearly and emphatically puts this idea to rest. We also recently covered our opinions on the resale value of a diamond.

I recommend any prospective diamond buyer first read these articles from start to finish. It’s important to be in the right frame of mind when making such a major purchase and not be influenced by all the magic and emotion thrown at you from DeBeers advertising.

To a large extent, diamonds are a retail product just like any other. The product goes through a variety of stages of production and distribution (mining, polishing, distribution, retail, and finally, being sold to the customer).

As the diamond changes hands, each participant in the process takes their cut. By the time the finished product ends up in the customer’s hands, the price is sufficiently inflated that you could never sell it without losing money.

While a diamond flawless clarity grade might seem like a good investment, the reality is that it’s rarely worth the money. Instead, it’s better to choose an eye-clean diamond, then put the rest of your budget towards things you’ll notice, such as cut quality and carat weight.

Contact Our Experts For Assistance With Buying Engagement Rings Online

We understand that buying a diamond can be a confusing process, especially when it comes to subjective things such as determining if a diamond is eye-clean.

If you’re not sure what to look for, confused by different clarity grades or just want an expert to guide you through the process, don’t hesitate to contact us.

We’ve helped thousands of our readers buy beautiful engagement rings and other high quality diamond jewelry, and we’re happy to help you too.

Bottom Line Recommendation:

A lower clarity eye-clean diamond will look identical to a flawless diamond assuming all else is equal (yet will cost far far less). Be sure to focus on an online retailer that has high quality videos of each diamond (like James Allen and Blue Nile).

What to look for:

What to avoid:

Look for a diamond that is eye-clean. There can be inclusions, as long as you can’t see them with a naked eye

Don’t spend too much money on higher clarity grades (IF, VVS etc) Once eye-clean, there is no difference between an SI and IF

Find diamonds with inclusions that are dispersed and around the edges. These are not noticeable and may be covered with a prong

Avoid harsh inclusions under the table of a diamond. This is where inclusions will be most noticeable once the diamond is mounted

When looking at a diamond, be sure to move away from harsh lighting. The unnatural sparkle will mask noticeable inclusions

Reject VS/SI clarity diamonds that say “clarity grade is based on cloud not shown”. ‘Cloud not shown’ on its own is fine

Having trouble navigating the diamond buying minefield? We are happy to help. CONTACT US

Here are more specific clarity topics to browse:

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