Clarity refers to the external or internal imperfections which are characterized by the diamond.
The clarity, along with the cut, color, and carat weight, form the four Cs that decide the price of a diamond.
Clarity has a significant effect on price as low clarity diamonds would look flat and dull.
Perfect clarity is rare, most diamonds developed blemishes or inclusions while they were forming.
The clarity people choose depends on tastes and budgets. Some buyers prioritize carat weight over all else. A big diamond can be impressive but combined with a low clarity grade and the results could be less impressive. Picking the right clarity will involve balancing your available funds with the quality you would ideally have.
What are the Clarity Grades?
The two leading gemmological labs in the USA (AGS and GIA) have competing diamond classification systems, which I’ve elaborated on more below. These are the GIA and AGS scales. Or if you are after a comprehensive unbiased and independent guide to diamond clarity and other relevant information on diamond jewelry, you might find Pricescope diamond clarity guide useful.
GIA Scale
Below is the GIA Diamond Scale, which uses six grouping that are further divided into 11 specific ratings.
I1, I2 and I3 (Included). Brilliance and transparency may be affected by inclusions noticeable through magnification under 10x
SI1 and SI2 (Slightly Included). Under close inspection inclusion can be seen with 10x magnification.
VS1 and VS2 (Very Slightly Included). With difficulty, some minor inclusions are visible through 10x magnification.
VVS1 and VVS2 (Very, Very Slightly Included). A skilled grader would have significant trouble seeing inclusions with 10x magnifications.
IF (Internally Flawless). Inclusions cannot be seen by 10x magnification.
FL (Flawless). Neither Inclusions nor blemishes are detectable with 10x magnification.
Many blemishes and inclusions are too small to be visible for the untrained eye. At a glance, SI2 and VS1 diamonds may appear exactly the same, but regarding their total quality, they are considerably different. For this reason, it’s important to have diamonds accurately assessed by an expert in the trade. Understanding the clarity grades helps you recognize the features that contribute to a diamond’s price and quality.
AGS Scale
AGS labs use a different classification method. Here are their grades with the GIA equivalents.
AGS 10,9,8,7 = GIA I3, I2, and I1
AGS 6 and 5 = GIA SI2 and SI1
AGS 4 and 3 = GIA VS2 and VS1
AGS 2 and 1 = GIA VVS2 and VVS1
AGS 0 = GIA IF and FL
How is Diamond Clarity Graded?
A diamond should be graded by a gemmologist using their trained eye and a high-powered microscope. When determining the classification, they will study the main five factor for inclusion on the diamond. These are:
- Amount.
- Prominence.
- Types. (Feathers, pinpoints, needles, clouds, or crystals)
- Location.
- Size.
Although these are the core variations which affect price, there are other considerations. The color of an inclusion on the table area of the diamond can range from dark back to almost clear. When grading, most labs will concentrate on the size of any inclusions present on the diamond. This works out well for buyers because a diamond might have a large inclusion that is not visible to the naked eye, so you could end up with a big diamond for a very reasonable price.