What is Diamond Clarity? A Complete Guide
A diamond necklace is a statement of clarity and refinement. Just as clarity in thought and purpose guides your style, a well-chosen diamond necklace enhances your outfit with effortless brilliance. Whether paired with a saree, lehenga, or gown, each piece brings a sparkling touch of sophistication.
Diamond clarity measures a diamond’s internal and surface flaws, helping you understand its quality and brilliance. Understanding this aspect of a diamond helps you make informed decisions when choosing a diamond that looks stunning while staying within your budget.
At Kumari, our diamond pieces blend timeless elegance with exceptional craftsmanship, curated to showcase superior clarity and brilliance for every special occasion.
The Essence of Diamond Clarity
In simple terms, clarity is the measure of a diamond’s internal and external purity. Every diamond forms deep within the earth under immense heat and pressure during a process that naturally leaves behind tiny inclusions (internal marks) and blemishes (surface irregularities). These natural features are nature’s signature, and together they determine how clear and brilliant your diamond appears.
Diamond clarity is one of the famed 4Cs, i.e, the Cut, Colour, Clarity, and Carat. Together, they define a diamond’s overall beauty and value. But while cut gives life to a stone, clarity decides how pure that light shines through. A higher clarity grade means fewer interruptions to light flow, resulting in that irresistible sparkle that defines every jewellery creation.
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Kumari Pick: Our Hues That Girl White Sparkle Ring captures everything clarity stands for with luminosity, confidence, and a subtle shimmer that elevates every gesture. |
Why Diamond Clarity Matters More Than You Think
Diamond clarity is more than a technical term. It plays a crucial role in evaluating a diamond's durability, beauty, and value. Here are some reasons why clarity is essential:
1. Enhances Visual Appeal - Inclusions can interact with light passing through the diamond, affecting the sparkle. A high-quality diamond allows for maximum light reflection, resulting in a brilliant shine.
2. Investment - The fewer the inclusions, the higher the value. High diamond clarity is more expensive due to its rarity.
3. Durability - Certain inclusions, such as features or cracks, can reduce value, weaken the diamond, and make it more susceptible to damage. Opting for high-quality diamonds ensures longevity.
4. Impact on Brilliance and Daily Wear - A Diamond with many inclusions affects the brilliance. It appears dull, less attractive, and cloudy, which involves the passage of light. Some imperfections are visible under the microscope, but others are noticeable.
What are the Diamond Clarity Grades?
Diamond clarity grades are a standardised system used to evaluate how free a diamond is from internal flaws (inclusions) and surface imperfections (blemishes). These grades help buyers understand a diamond’s quality, beauty, and value. Clarity is one of the “4 Cs” of diamond grading, alongside cut, colour, and carat weight.
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Kumari Pick A modern icon of elegance, the Sideways Teardrop Ring lets light play beautifully across its curved silhouette. Ideal for those who want clarity without overstatement. |
Diamond Clarity Grades Cheatsheet
|
Clarity |
Visibility |
Best Use |
Price Trend |
|
FL |
None |
Collectors, Investments |
Highest |
|
IF |
None internal, minor surface |
Fine Jewellery |
Very High |
|
VVS1 |
Extremely difficult to see |
High-ends rings |
High |
|
VVS2 |
Very difficult to see |
High-ends rings |
Slightly lower than VVS1 |
|
VS1 |
Minor inclusions under 10x |
Everyday Use |
Medium-High |
|
VS2 |
Minor inclusions |
Everyday Use |
Medium |
|
SI1 |
Noticeable under 10x |
Budget-Friendly |
Affordable |
|
SI2 |
Noticeable under 10x |
Budget-Friendly |
More Affordable |
|
I1-I3 |
Visible to the Naked Eyes |
Low-cost pieces |
Lowest |
Understanding Each Diamond Clarity Grade
Diamond clarity is evaluated on a scale, with each grade reflecting the presence and visibility of internal and external flaws. Knowing these grades helps you choose a diamond that balances brilliance, beauty, and budget.
1. FL (Flawless):
Flawless diamonds have no inclusions or blemishes visible under 10x magnification. Less than 1% of all diamonds fall under this grade, making them extremely rare and highly valuable. They are often considered collector’s pieces, prized for their unmatched purity and brilliance.
2. IL (Internally Flawless):
Internally Flawless (IF) diamonds have no internal inclusions, only very minor surface blemishes visible under 10x magnification. They are slightly more common than FL, but still rare. IF diamonds are eye-clean, exceptionally brilliant, and highly desirable for fine jewellery.
3. VVS1 & VVS2 (Very very slightly included):
VVS diamonds contain extremely minute inclusions, so tiny that they are very difficult to detect under 10x magnification, even for trained gemologists.
- VVS1: Fewer and smaller inclusions than VVS2.
- VVS2: Inclusions are still extremely hard to spot, but slightly easier than VVS1.
Both VVS grades look flawless to the naked eye, maintaining maximum brilliance. They are excellent for high-quality jewellery and offer slightly better value than FL and IF.
4. VS1 & VS2 (Very slightly included)
VS diamonds have minor inclusions visible under 10x magnification but generally invisible to the naked eye.
- VS1: Cleaner, with fewer and less noticeable inclusions.
- VS2: Slightly more noticeable inclusions, though still hard to see without magnification.
These grades provide an ideal balance of beauty, durability, and value, making them one of the most popular choices for engagement rings and fine jewelry.
5. Slightly Included Diamond Clarity
SI diamonds have noticeable inclusions under 10x magnification.
- SI1: Often appears eye-clean, with inclusions usually hidden by the diamond’s facets.
- SI2: Inclusions may sometimes be visible without magnification.
They are more affordable and can still maintain good sparkle if well-cut. SI diamonds are a practical choice for buyers seeking beauty at a lower price point.
6. I1, I2 and I3 (Included)
Included diamonds have noticeable inclusions visible to the naked eye, which can affect both brilliance and durability.
- I1: May still be acceptable for jewellery with careful setting, though inclusions are visible.
- I2 & I3: Have more prominent inclusions that significantly impact sparkle and structural strength.
These grades are the most affordable but are generally not recommended for fine jewellery intended for daily wear.
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Kumari Guide Make your diamond choice better with our Natural Diamond Guide and pick the perfect stone with confidence. |
5 Key Factors to Check in Diamond Grading
To truly understand a stone’s brilliance and quality, five key factors are assessed. Knowing these aspects helps you choose a diamond that shines beautifully and stands the test of time.
1. Size: The size of inclusions directly impacts a diamond's clarity. Larger inclusions are noticeable, which overall reduces the diamond's grade. Meanwhile, the tiny inclusions are less visible to the naked eye. This affects the durability and the brilliance of the diamond.
2. Number: The number of inclusions in the diamonds also makes a huge difference. A diamond with several imperfections is less dependable in terms of lifespan.
3. Location: Locations of inclusions matter. The inclusions in the centre are more noticeable, whereas those on the edges or under prongs are less visible. This impacts the visual appeal of the diamond.
4. Colour: Not all inclusions are colourless. Some are dark and contrasting, making them more visible to the eye. Colourless or invisible inclusions do not affect the clarity.
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Kumari Guide Elevate your diamond knowledge with our Beginner’s Guide to Diamond Cuts and discover the perfect sparkle. |
Understanding Diamond Inclusions: Because Every Flaw Tells a Story
Understanding diamond inclusions is essential, as they influence clarity, brilliance, and value.
- Clouds
Clusters of tiny crystals inside a diamond. While single crystals are hard to see, dense clouds can create a hazy appearance and reduce transparency. Unlike cracks, clouds affect the diamond’s overall clarity rather than forming visible lines.
- Feathers
Internal cracks or fractures with a delicate, feathery look. Large or centrally located feathers can weaken durability and scatter light, reducing brilliance. They differ from clouds because they are linear and can create weak points in the stone.
- Needles
Long, thin, rod-like inclusions that usually appear transparent. They may occur singly or in groups. Needles are distinct because of their linear shape and fine structure, though they usually have minimal effect unless clustered with other inclusions.
- Cavities
Small holes on the diamond’s surface, formed naturally or during polishing. Large or deep cavities can disrupt light performance and increase the risk of chipping. Unlike internal inclusions, cavities are surface-level defects.
- Pinpoints
Tiny, dot-like inclusions that are usually white, colourless, or sometimes dark. On their own, they are barely visible, but clusters can form clouds and reduce sparkle. Pinpoints stand out because they appear as microscopic spots rather than cracks or lines.
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Kumari Pick Chic yet bold, the Moira Dangler Earrings catch light from every angle. They’re a celebration of brilliance and craftsmanship. |
Tips for Buying a Diamond Based on Clarity
Understanding clarity helps you choose a diamond that shines brilliantly while maintaining its value. These tips will guide you to make an informed choice, ensuring your stone remains stunning for years to come.
1. Prioritise eye-clean diamond
When choosing a diamond, what you see matters most. Eye-clean diamonds, those with no visible inclusions to the naked eye, maintain their brilliance, making them perfect for daily wear. Grades like FL, IF, VVS1, VVS2, and most VS1/VS2 typically fall into this category. By prioritising eye-clean diamonds, you can confidently select a stone that looks stunning while balancing clarity and budget.
2. Balance Diamond Clarity with Other C’s
Clarity is one of the 4 Cs of diamonds: cut, clarity, colour, and carat. The goal is to find a diamond that looks flawless to the naked eye while offering the best value.
3. Consider the Shape of a Diamond
The diamond shape affects the visibility of inclusions. Just like round brilliant diamonds hide inclusions well due to their sparkle, so lower clarity can still look flawless. Or like Step-cut diamonds, like emerald and asscher, have large, flat facets that reveal inclusions, so higher clarity is better.
4. Trust the certificate and reports
Always buy diamonds with GIA, IGI, or AGS certificates. These certificates provide key details, including clarity grade, type and location of inclusions, and carat, cut, and colour information. They ensure transparency and help protect your purchase.
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Kumari Tip: When browsing through our jewellery, every sparkle comes with full transparency. Scroll to the ‘More Details’ section on each product page to view the diamond’s clarity, carat, and metal composition. |
Diamond Clarity that Captures Your Light
Every diamond is unique, and clarity reveals its inner character. Paying attention to diamond clarity grades helps you find a stone that is both visually stunning and well-suited to your budget. Beyond clarity, considering factors like cut, colour, carat, and personal style ensures you choose a diamond that reflects your taste and lasting satisfaction
Your perfect diamond is a reflection of who you are, and at Kumari, we make that discovery effortless. Our curated selection combines beauty, individuality, and timeless elegance, ensuring every diamond becomes a treasured part of your story.
FAQ
1. How does a diamond’s shape impact its clarity?
Different shapes show inclusions differently. For example, round brilliant diamonds tend to hide flaws, while step cuts such as emerald or asscher make inclusions more noticeable.
2. Does diamond clarity affect sparkle and beauty?
Yes. Higher clarity diamonds have fewer inclusions and blemishes, allowing light to pass through more freely, which enhances brilliance and sparkle. However, minor inclusions in eye-clean diamonds often don’t impact beauty noticeably, especially in well-cut stones.
3. Which clarity of diamond is best?
The best clarity is based on your budget. FL, IF and VVS diamonds are flawless and offer maximum shine. VS1 and VS2 diamonds offer the best balance of beauty and value, with inclusions that are visible to the naked eye.
4. Should I buy VS1 or VS2 diamonds?
Both VS1 and VS2 diamonds have minor inclusions that are usually invisible. VS1 has smaller inclusions than VS2. Either choice offers the sparkle and durability that make it perfect for everyday wear.
5. What are the 4Cs of clarity?
Diamonds are graded on the 4Cs: Cut, Colour, Clarity, and Carat. Clarity measures the tiny imperfections inside or on the surface that can affect the diamond’s brilliance.