You’re flawless, why shouldn’t your diamond be? If you’ve read our other articles on the Four C’s you’ve already decided you’re going with a colorless ideal cut diamond, now you have to choose its grade of clarity. What!? You don’t know what diamond clarity is? No worries we’ve got you covered.

Diamonds, while nearly indestructible, are not insusceptible to blemishes and inclusions. Blemishes, such as scratches, are issues on the outside of the diamond. Inclusions on the other hand are internal problems such as

crystals or minerals trapped inside the diamond during its formation. It’s up to a professional diamond grader to examine them under 10x magnification to determine how severe the inclusions are.

Diamond clarity, like color is graded on the GIA scale which is divided into 6 different categories:

Flawless(FL): It’s all in the title. The most expensive and rare diamonds have NO blemishes or inclusions, even under 10x magnification.

Internally Flawless(IF): No inclusions are visible under 10x magnification.

Very Very Slightly Included(VVS1 and VVS2): (yes that’s the professional jargon) Inclusions very difficult to see under 10Xmagnification.

Very Slightly Included(VS1 and VS2): Inclusions can be seen with some effort under magnification, but are minor.

Slightly Included(SI1 and SI2): Inclusions are noticeable under magnification.

Included(I1, I2 and I3): Inclusions can be seen without 10x magnification. It can even affect the transparency and sparkle of the diamond.

If you’re trying to decide what’s right for you keep in mind that until you drop the “S” the grade of the diamond won’t affect the look of the diamond to the naked eye, but will change in value.

For more info: GIA