Diamond Clarity: How Much Does it Really Matter?

Spend long enough at a diamond jeweler and you’re likely to hear the word ‘clarity’ mentioned several times. Not quite following? Clarity is one of the 4Cs of diamonds¹ (cut, color, clarity and carat), which help grade the quality of a natural diamond, determining its objective beauty and financial value². It technically refers to how ‘clean’ a diamond is – and whether it has flaws or blemishes – both internally and externally.

Think of a diamond’s flaws like birthmarks or quirks that developed as it formed deep underground, billions of years ago. Like a freckle on someone’s face, the appearance of these so-called flaws makes them them.

These naturally occurring features can subtly shift how light moves through a diamond’s surface and thus influence its sparkle. Typically, fewer flaws mean a more captivating the sparkle (though its cut plays a big part in a diamond’s potential to dazzle, too) and so diamonds with a higher clarity grade often sell for much higher prices³.

Understanding the diamond clarity grading scale

When a natural diamond arrives at a lab for grading, it’s evaluated under 10x magnification, which is the global standard set by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA)⁴. This level of magnification is enough to spot even the tiniest of imperfections that you wouldn’t see with the naked eye. A grader will assess the number, size, type and position of inclusions and blemishes and use that information to determine the diamond’s clarity grade⁵.

The GIA diamond clarity grading scale includes six main categories and 11 grades in total⁶:

Flawless

The crème de la crème of diamonds – you won’t spot any visible inclusions or blemishes, even under magnification. These literally flawless natural diamonds are impeccable by every standard (and rather costly, too!).

IF – Internally Flawless

This means there are no internal inclusions, but there could be a very small surface blemish. Still, a natural diamond with this grade is ultra-rare and covetable.

VVS1 & VVS2 – Very, Very Slightly Included

Diamonds with this grading have inclusions so minuscule that they’re hard even for trained eyes to detect under 10x magnification.

VS1 & VS2 – Very Slightly Included

Here, a diamond might have minor inclusions that still prove tricky to spot under magnification. They’re often what you’d call ‘eye-clean’, meaning you can’t see any inclusions or blemishes with the naked eye, especially in smaller gems.

SI1 & SI2 – Slightly Included

This grading means inclusions may be noticeable at 10x magnification, but hard to pick out unless you’re an expert.

I1, I2 & I3 – Included

Here, you’re likely to see imperfections without magnification and you might notice a difference in brilliance or durability. But, depending on what you’re looking for, don’t write these diamonds off – they showcase real character.

A raw diamond with inclusions and blemishes

How much does clarity really matter?

OK, so we know that clarity can have a big impact on a diamond’s price⁷, especially at the top end of the scale, but what about appearance?

Unless you’re walking around with a jeweler’s loupe (like a mini magnifying glass used to look closely at gemstones) most people wouldn’t be able to tell the difference between a diamond graded VVS1 and VS1, for example.

Additionally, the cut of a diamond affects brilliance far more dramatically than clarity does. In fact, a well-cut natural diamond with a lower clarity grade can actually outshine a poorly cut but technically flawless one. This is why plenty of jewelers will tell you that clarity influences price more than it influences sparkle.

The key takeaway? Diamond clarity is important and is definitely worth knowing about, but it’s not everything when it comes to shopping for diamonds.

What clarity grade is best for you?

While Flawless diamonds might make headlines, there’s no ‘perfect’ clarity grade. It all depends on your budget and your personal taste. However, there are some general rules-of-thumb that might help sway your decision, if you’re confused about which direction to go in.

Buying an engagement ring? A clarity grading of VS2 or SI1 for diamonds under two carats is often ideal (it’s ‘eye-clean’ and excellent value). Likewise, if you’re a fan of a round, oval or cushion cut diamond, that’s great because inclusions are typically easier to hide in these shapes. You could go as low as SI1 or even SI2 without noticing if the cut and polish are top-tier, in theory.

If you can’t stretch your budget too far, consider a well-cut SI1 in a secure prong setting – perhaps six metal prongs or ‘claws’ to secure the diamond, instead of four. You could also land yourself a bigger diamond, or one with more covetable color or cut, by opting for a slightly lower clarity grade (it’ll still seriously sparkle, promise).

Set of three solitaire diamond engagement rings on grey background

Cut white diamonds sparkling on a white cushion

When should clarity take priority?

There are a few cases when clarity should move up your list of priorities, if your budget allows:

If you are buying a large diamond that’s two carats or greater. The bigger the gem, the easier it is to spot inclusions⁸, so it could be worth focusing on clarity in this scenario.

If you’re interested in step cuts (square or rectangular shapes) like emerald or Asscher. These cuts have large, open facets that make even small inclusions more visible. If you can, aim for VS1 or higher here.

If you’re interested in investment or collector’s items. If you’re buying a diamond primarily for its rarity or resale potential, clarity is key. Flawless or Internally Flawless gems are rare and often retain their value better over time⁹.

While knowing about the diamond clarity chart and to keep your eyes peeled for inclusions can be helpful as a starting point, try not to overthink things too much. After all, you can still rock a seriously head-turning piece of jewelry without it being technically ‘perfect’ (just ask Meghan Markle – her engagement ring’s center stone is rumored to be a VS2!).