Because diamonds are formed under extreme heat and pressure, they inevitably contain naturally occurring flaws.
Depending on the severity, these flaws (called "inclusions" when inside the diamond and "blemishes" when on the surface) can impact the overall appearance of a diamond.
If the flaws are severe enough, they can disrupt the path of light through the diamond, thereby reducing its transparency and brilliance.
The position of an inclusion affects how easily it can be seen.
Diamond cutters will make every effort to cut a stone so that inclusions are not visible through the top of the finished diamond.
The GIA developed a clarity scale as a way of systematically evaluating the number, size, reflectivity, color, and position of these flaws.
This scale has now been near universally adopted as a means of communicating clarity.
When a diamond is graded by the GIA, a certificate is issued reporting the findings in writing.
This GIA certificate travels from buyer to seller with the diamond.
In addition to providing the clarity grade, the GIA certificate will often also show a diamond plot.
This plot is a graphic representation of the position and type of inclusions found.
The plot does not indicate how visible or severe the inclusion is; that is what the clarity grade is for.
Using the diamond plot and clarity grade together, the customer can gain a firm understanding of the nature of any imperfections even without the actual diamond being present.
If a diamond has been treated (laser drilling, fracture filling, etc), the clarity may be artificially enhanced.
In fact, approximately one in three diamonds on the market today has been artificially enhanced in some way.
If detected, GIA will not issue a certificate to diamonds treated to improve clarity.
Any type of treatment or "enhancement" made to a diamond lowers its value.
For this reason, it is important that customers insist on a certified diamond unless they are very confident in their own ability to detect such issues.
While most labs follow the GIA taxonomy for clarity, others (such as AGS) do not.
It is important to remember that while other labs may use the GIA terminology, they may apply them differently.
For this reason, caution should be exercised when comparing two diamonds which have been rated by different laboratories.
Following is a breakdown of the GIA clarity grades and their definitions.
Further comments are included to supplement the official definition and increase understanding of what each grade means.
(View a GIA Diamond Clarity Chart for reference).
Flawless (FL) - No inclusions or blemishes are visible when viewed under 10x magnification.
Flawless diamonds are extremely rare.
Less than one in five thousand jewelry quality diamonds will be rated FL by GIA.
For this reason, flawless grade diamonds carry a substantial price premium.
Internally Flawless (IF) - No inclusions, only blemishes are visible when viewed under 10x magnification.
Internally flawless diamonds appear absolutely identical to flawless diamonds when viewed without a magnifier.
Even with magnification, only a skilled grader can perceive IF level flaws.
Less than 3% of diamonds sold for jewelry are rated IF.
Very, Very Slightly Included (VVS1 and VVS2) - Inclusions are difficult to see under 10x magnification.
Diamonds graded VVS1 typically have inclusions which can only be seen when viewing the diamond from the bottom, which is normally hidden once a diamond is set in gold or platinum.
Diamonds graded VVS2 have inclusions that are visible when viewed from above; however, the inclusion is extremely small and cannot be seen by the unaided eye.
VVS diamonds appear identical to flawless diamonds until viewed under magnification by a skilled grader.
Approximately 10% of all diamonds sold for jewelry are VVS grade.
Very Slightly Included (VS1 and VS2) - Minor Inclusions are noticeable under 10x magnification.
VS inclusions are not typically visible to the unaided eye.
Only about 1 in 100 untrained observers could detect VS2 grade inclusions with the unaided eye.
Needless to say, under casual observation, VS diamonds appear flawless.
Slightly Included (SI1 and SI2) - Inclusions are clearly visible under 10x magnification.
SI1 is the lowest clarity grade with inclusions that are typically invisible to the unaided eye.
SI1 diamonds are a popular choice for their combination of price and perceived flawlessness.
SI2 inclusions are often visible to the unaided eye, although only with close inspection.
With the introduction of visible flaws (though very slight) comes a substantial reduction in price.
In diamonds over 1 carat (where clarity is more important than in smaller diamonds), SI2 diamonds are often twice the price of VS1 (all other factors being equal).
Included (I1, I2, and I3) - Inclusions are obvious under 10x magnification and may affect transparency and brilliance.
I1 diamonds have flaws that are usually visible to the unaided eye.
I1 diamonds are a good choice for customers on a budget who are primarily concerned about size.
I2 and I3 diamonds have flaws that are not only visible, but are potentially severe enough to affect the diamond's durability.
Using the definitions and further explanations above, you should be able to confidently determine the level of imperfection you are comfortable with.
The GIA grade is especially helpful when purchasing diamonds online, as it gives the buyer an independent, professional evaluation of the diamonds flaws.
Depending on the severity, these flaws (called "inclusions" when inside the diamond and "blemishes" when on the surface) can impact the overall appearance of a diamond.
If the flaws are severe enough, they can disrupt the path of light through the diamond, thereby reducing its transparency and brilliance.
The position of an inclusion affects how easily it can be seen.
Diamond cutters will make every effort to cut a stone so that inclusions are not visible through the top of the finished diamond.
The GIA developed a clarity scale as a way of systematically evaluating the number, size, reflectivity, color, and position of these flaws.
This scale has now been near universally adopted as a means of communicating clarity.
When a diamond is graded by the GIA, a certificate is issued reporting the findings in writing.
This GIA certificate travels from buyer to seller with the diamond.
In addition to providing the clarity grade, the GIA certificate will often also show a diamond plot.
This plot is a graphic representation of the position and type of inclusions found.
The plot does not indicate how visible or severe the inclusion is; that is what the clarity grade is for.
Using the diamond plot and clarity grade together, the customer can gain a firm understanding of the nature of any imperfections even without the actual diamond being present.
If a diamond has been treated (laser drilling, fracture filling, etc), the clarity may be artificially enhanced.
In fact, approximately one in three diamonds on the market today has been artificially enhanced in some way.
If detected, GIA will not issue a certificate to diamonds treated to improve clarity.
Any type of treatment or "enhancement" made to a diamond lowers its value.
For this reason, it is important that customers insist on a certified diamond unless they are very confident in their own ability to detect such issues.
While most labs follow the GIA taxonomy for clarity, others (such as AGS) do not.
It is important to remember that while other labs may use the GIA terminology, they may apply them differently.
For this reason, caution should be exercised when comparing two diamonds which have been rated by different laboratories.
Following is a breakdown of the GIA clarity grades and their definitions.
Further comments are included to supplement the official definition and increase understanding of what each grade means.
(View a GIA Diamond Clarity Chart for reference).
Flawless (FL) - No inclusions or blemishes are visible when viewed under 10x magnification.
Flawless diamonds are extremely rare.
Less than one in five thousand jewelry quality diamonds will be rated FL by GIA.
For this reason, flawless grade diamonds carry a substantial price premium.
Internally Flawless (IF) - No inclusions, only blemishes are visible when viewed under 10x magnification.
Internally flawless diamonds appear absolutely identical to flawless diamonds when viewed without a magnifier.
Even with magnification, only a skilled grader can perceive IF level flaws.
Less than 3% of diamonds sold for jewelry are rated IF.
Very, Very Slightly Included (VVS1 and VVS2) - Inclusions are difficult to see under 10x magnification.
Diamonds graded VVS1 typically have inclusions which can only be seen when viewing the diamond from the bottom, which is normally hidden once a diamond is set in gold or platinum.
Diamonds graded VVS2 have inclusions that are visible when viewed from above; however, the inclusion is extremely small and cannot be seen by the unaided eye.
VVS diamonds appear identical to flawless diamonds until viewed under magnification by a skilled grader.
Approximately 10% of all diamonds sold for jewelry are VVS grade.
Very Slightly Included (VS1 and VS2) - Minor Inclusions are noticeable under 10x magnification.
VS inclusions are not typically visible to the unaided eye.
Only about 1 in 100 untrained observers could detect VS2 grade inclusions with the unaided eye.
Needless to say, under casual observation, VS diamonds appear flawless.
Slightly Included (SI1 and SI2) - Inclusions are clearly visible under 10x magnification.
SI1 is the lowest clarity grade with inclusions that are typically invisible to the unaided eye.
SI1 diamonds are a popular choice for their combination of price and perceived flawlessness.
SI2 inclusions are often visible to the unaided eye, although only with close inspection.
With the introduction of visible flaws (though very slight) comes a substantial reduction in price.
In diamonds over 1 carat (where clarity is more important than in smaller diamonds), SI2 diamonds are often twice the price of VS1 (all other factors being equal).
Included (I1, I2, and I3) - Inclusions are obvious under 10x magnification and may affect transparency and brilliance.
I1 diamonds have flaws that are usually visible to the unaided eye.
I1 diamonds are a good choice for customers on a budget who are primarily concerned about size.
I2 and I3 diamonds have flaws that are not only visible, but are potentially severe enough to affect the diamond's durability.
Using the definitions and further explanations above, you should be able to confidently determine the level of imperfection you are comfortable with.
The GIA grade is especially helpful when purchasing diamonds online, as it gives the buyer an independent, professional evaluation of the diamonds flaws.
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