{"id":1044,"date":"2026-03-12T08:20:07","date_gmt":"2026-03-12T08:20:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/adiamondisforever.com\/en-in\/?p=1044"},"modified":"2026-03-12T08:20:09","modified_gmt":"2026-03-12T08:20:09","slug":"natural-vs-lab-grown-diamonds-clarity-and-inclusions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adiamondisforever.com\/en-in\/education\/natural-vs-lab-grown-diamonds-clarity-and-inclusions\/","title":{"rendered":"Diamond clarity\u00a0explained:\u00a0The difference between\u00a0natural\u00a0and\u00a0lab-grown\u00a0diamonds"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Whether you\u2019re choosing a diamond that will be the centrepiece of your mangalsutra or a little pendant to add some extra sparkle to your daily style, understanding diamond clarity will help you make a more informed and lasting investment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And it\u2019s more straightforward than you might think. Here, we\u2019ll explain it all, from the diamond clarity scale to inclusions, blemishes and the rest of the 4Cs too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How clarity and inclusions affect diamond grading<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You might already know that natural diamonds are graded based on the 4Cs: cut, colour, clarity and carat weight. These four factors work together to determine a diamond\u2019s overall appeal and financial value. And while all of them matter, clarity is often emphasised. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In simple terms, it means how free a diamond is from internal birthmarks (known as inclusions) and external markings (known as blemishes). These can be anything from tiny crystals trapped inside the stone to little feather-like lines or minute dots that are often impossible to spot with the naked eye.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"A<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

How the\u00a0diamond clarity scale\u00a0works<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Currently, only one institute (the International Gemological Institute) continues to grade natural diamonds and LGDs in the same way using the diamond clarity scale. HRD Antwerp recently announced that it will stop grading loose lab-grown diamonds in 2026. It will continue to research the stones and will still issue reports for jewellery set with lab-grown stones but is instead turning its focus to natural diamonds. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) has introduced a more streamlined assessment method of grading man-made diamonds. Given that most lab-grown stones occupy a narrow range of quality characteristics, they are now classified as either \u2018standard\u2019 or \u2018premium\u2019 based on their quality and craftsmanship. The diamond clarity in these cases is either very good or excellent, and anything considered below this standard is not graded at all.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To be classified as \u2018premium\u2019, a lab-grown stone must meet all of the following criteria: VVS clarity or higher; D colour; excellent polish and symmetry; and an excellent cut grade for round brilliants. The LGDs that meet any combination of the \u2018premium\u2019 criteria, and another minimum criterion set will be classified as \u2018standard.\u2019 <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In lab-grown stones, clarity assessments focus largely on manufacturing-related characteristics, such as metallic inclusions from growth catalysts, growth patterns or other structural features resulting from the controlled production process. These differ from the natural inclusions found in mined diamonds, which are formed over billions of years under geological pressure and often reflect the stone\u2019s unique origin. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s\u00a0also worth noting that while many lab-grown stones achieve high clarity due to controlled growth conditions, natural diamonds often display more varied and unique clarity characteristics, which is part of what makes each one distinct.\u00a0
\u00a0
For those gradings\u00a0using the\u00a0diamond clarity scale, a universal system is adopted to help\u00a0determine\u00a0how \u2018clean\u2019 a\u00a0natural\u00a0diamond appears internally and externally. This scale currently ranges from:<\/p>\n\n\n\n