Diamond Clarity

Understanding Diamond Clarity

At Cranstone Custom Jewellery, we know that clarity is one of the key factors to consider when choosing a diamond. Along with cut, colour, and carat, clarity plays a big role in a diamond’s beauty and value.

Clarity refers to the presence of natural marks inside or on the surface of a diamond, such as crystals, feathers, pinpoints, clouds, cavities, scratches, chips, and other imperfections. Most of these flaws are tiny and can’t be seen without magnification. They rarely affect the diamond’s overall sparkle to the naked eye.

Diamond Clarity Grades

Diamonds are graded for clarity by the Gemmological Institute of America (GIA) using 10x magnification. Clarity is divided into six main categories and 11 specific grades:

Grade

Description

Details

FL (Flawless)

Flawless

No internal or external flaws. Extremely rare and valuable.

IF (Internally Flawless)

Internally Flawless

No internal flaws, only slight surface marks visible under magnification.

VVS1, VVS2

Very, Very Slightly Included

Tiny inclusions that are very hard to detect, even for an expert under magnification.

VS1, VS2

Very Slightly Included

Small inclusions that are hard to see without magnification. Excellent balance of quality and value.

SI1, SI2

Slightly Included

Inclusions that are slightly visible under magnification but usually not to the naked eye. Good value option.

I1, I2, I3

Included

Obvious flaws that can affect the diamond’s transparency and sparkle. We do not carry these grades due to their lower quality.

Clarity Categories Explained

Flawless (FL) & Internally Flawless (IF)

  • FL – No imperfections inside or on the surface of the diamond, even under magnification.
  • IF – No internal flaws but may have very slight surface marks.

Very, Very Slightly Included (VVS1, VVS2)

  • Inclusions are so tiny that even an expert finds them hard to see under 10x magnification.
  • Perfect to the naked eye.

Very Slightly Included (VS1, VS2)

  • Small inclusions that are difficult to spot without magnification.
  • Great combination of clarity and value.

Slightly Included (SI1, SI2)

  • Slightly more noticeable flaws, but they typically don’t affect the diamond’s brilliance.
  • A good choice for those seeking value without sacrificing appearance.

Included (I1, I2, I3)

  • Visible imperfections that can affect how the diamond reflects light.
  • Cranstone Custom Jewellery does not carry these diamonds due to their lower quality.

Expert Advice

If value is important to you, we recommend choosing a diamond with a clarity grade of SI1 or higher. Slight inclusions are usually not visible to the naked eye, so you can get a beautiful diamond at a more affordable price.

We suggest focusing more on cut and colour rather than clarity, since a well-cut diamond will still shine brightly even if it has minor flaws.

Coloured Diamonds – A Unique Choice

Just like with white diamonds, coloured diamonds also have natural inclusions but their vibrant shades often hide small imperfections. Choosing a coloured diamond allows you to focus more on colour intensity and uniqueness rather than clarity.

At Cranstone Custom Jewellery, we’re here to help you find the perfect diamond that balances beauty, quality, and value. Let us help you choose a diamond that reflects your style and sparkles for a lifetime.

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