Clarity
How free a diamond is from internal features, called inclusions, and surface marks, called blemishes.
Almost every diamond has some. They form as the crystal grows, or during cutting. A grader examines the stone under 10× magnification and places it on an 11-step scale from Flawless to Included. Most grades describe features you can only see with a loupe — which is why clarity is also where shoppers can save the most.
- SCALE
- FL → I3
- JUDGED WITH
- 10× loupe
- IN FACET
- IF → SI2
Flawless
No inclusions or blemishes visible under 10×.
Illustration. Inclusions are exaggerated so each step is visible.
Internally Flawless
No inclusions; only minor blemishes visible under 10×.
Illustration. Inclusions are exaggerated so each step is visible.
Very Very Slightly Included 1
Minute inclusions, very difficult to see under 10×.
Illustration. Inclusions are exaggerated so each step is visible.
Very Very Slightly Included 2
Minute inclusions, difficult to see under 10×.
Illustration. Inclusions are exaggerated so each step is visible.
Very Slightly Included 1
Minor inclusions, difficult to see at 10×.
Illustration. Inclusions are exaggerated so each step is visible.
Very Slightly Included 2
Minor inclusions, somewhat easy to see at 10×.
Illustration. Inclusions are exaggerated so each step is visible.
Slightly Included 1
Noticeable inclusions, easy to see at 10×.
Illustration. Inclusions are exaggerated so each step is visible.
Slightly Included 2
Noticeable inclusions, very easy to see at 10×.
Illustration. Inclusions are exaggerated so each step is visible.
Included 1
Obvious inclusions. May affect brilliance.
Illustration. Inclusions are exaggerated so each step is visible.
Included 2
Obvious inclusions. Affects brilliance noticeably.
Illustration. Inclusions are exaggerated so each step is visible.
Included 3
Prominent inclusions. Affects brilliance and may threaten durability.
Illustration. Inclusions are exaggerated so each step is visible.
The clarity scale
Select a grade to see it in the showcase
What a grader looks at
Two stones with the same number of inclusions can get different grades. The grade depends on how the features affect the stone as a whole, weighed across five factors.
Size
Larger features lower the grade more.
Number
How many features can be seen.
Position
Under the table is more visible than near the girdle.
Nature
What it is — a crystal, a feather, a cloud.
Relief
How much it contrasts with the diamond around it.
Inclusions and blemishes
INSIDE THE STONE · INCLUSIONS
Crystal
A tiny mineral trapped as the diamond grew.
Feather
A small crack that can look white and feathery.
Pinpoint
A very small crystal, like a dot at 10×.
Cloud
A cluster of pinpoints that can look hazy.
Needle
A long, thin crystal.
Twinning wisp
Pinpoints and clouds along a growth plane.
ON THE SURFACE · BLEMISHES
Scratch
A fine line on the surface.
Nick
A small chip, often on the girdle.
Polish lines
Faint parallel lines left by polishing.
Extra facet
A small facet added outside the design.
Blemishes matter less: an IF stone can have minor blemishes and no inclusions. Many can be removed with repolishing.
Clarity and price
Each step up the scale costs more per carat, but the steps you pay for are often invisible without a loupe. Many shoppers look for an eye-clean stone at VS2 or SI1 rather than paying for VVS.
Shape matters too. The open, mirror-like facets of step cuts such as emerald and asscher show inclusions more easily than brilliants, so a higher clarity is often worth it there.
Going from VS2 to VS1 adds about [X]% per carat for a 1.00 ct G round, based on [N] listings as of [DATE].
Bar heights illustrate the typical pattern only. Live values appear once the data feed is connected.
Questions about clarity
What clarity grade should I buy?
Is FL (Flawless) worth the premium?
Rarely for wearable jewellery. A Flawless diamond looks identical to a VS1 to the naked eye. The premium is significant and the distinction is only visible under magnification. Flawless stones do hold their grade designation better for resale, but the price jump is hard to justify for most buyers. Explore the price gap in the DiamondTheGuide.
What does "eye-clean" actually mean?
"Eye-clean" means no inclusions are visible to the unaided eye at normal viewing distance (roughly 25–30 cm). It's a practical description, not an official grade. Most VS1, VS2, and many SI1 stones are eye-clean in round brilliants. SI2 and below often are not, especially in step cuts.
Does clarity affect a diamond's brilliance?
At grades IF through SI2, inclusions have little to no effect on how bright a stone appears. At I1 and below, inclusions can start to interfere with light paths and reduce brilliance. I2 and I3 stones may appear dull or cloudy. Cut quality has far more impact on brilliance than clarity at eye-clean grades.
Can a blemish lower a diamond's clarity grade?
Yes, but blemishes are weighted less heavily than inclusions. An Internally Flawless (IF) stone has no internal features but may have minor surface blemishes. Many blemishes such as polish lines can be removed by repolishing, which inclusions cannot.