Diamond Clarity

When searching for the perfect diamond, you'll encounter several key factors that determine its beauty and value. 

One of these is diamond clarity—a crucial aspect that’s often set aside in light of other more well-known criteria like carat weight or color. 

While many buyers focus on size or hue, clarity plays a significant role in how a diamond interacts with light and whether any internal imperfections are visible to the naked eye. 

Since every diamond is an investment, an understanding of clarity is important since it helps ensure that you select the right stone that aligns with both your expectations and budget.

What is Diamond Clarity?

Diamond clarity refers to the presence of internal or external imperfections. External imperfections are known as blemishes, and interior imperfections are known as inclusions; both these factors can affect a diamond's transparency and even its light performance.

Blemishes and inclusions are oftentimes the products of their natural formation process - which makes use of extreme heat and pressure deep within the earth. They can also be brought about through the cutting and polishing process, though.

Inclusions are internal characteristics such as tiny crystals or air bubbles, while blemishes refer to surface imperfections like scratches or nicks.

The overall clarity of a diamond is determined by the size, number, location, and visibility of these imperfections. 

Some inclusions are incredibly small, to the point where a trained eye with magnification is needed to detect them. Other inclusions, on the other hand can be so big or prominent that they can be seen with the naked eye. 

If the inclusions are large enough or are clustered, they can also potentially impact the light play of the stone. This can lead to a reduced brilliance and sparkle of a diamond. 

The GIA Clarity Grading Scale

Around the globe, the Gemological Institute of America’s Clarity Grading Scale is the gold standard for judging the clarity of a diamond.

This scale is widely recognized in the jewelry industry and helps both jewelers and shoppers alike assess the clarity of a diamond.

Here’s a breakdown of the GIA clarity grades:

• Flawless (FL): These diamonds have no inclusions or blemishes visible under 10x magnification. They’re super rare and demand high prices.
  
  

• Internally Flawless (IF): These diamonds have no internal inclusions, but may have minor surface blemishes visible only under magnification. IF diamonds are still very rare and are highly valued.
  
  

• Very, Very Slightly Included (VVS1 & VVS2): These diamonds have inclusions present, but are extremely difficult to detect, even under 10x magnification. They’re considered near-perfect and offer significant value for their clarity grade.
  
  

• Very Slightly Included (VS1 & VS2): These diamonds have inclusions that are noticeable under magnification but remain invisible to the naked eye. These diamonds are widely available and offer excellent value for their clarity.
  
  

• Slightly Included (SI1 & SI2): These diamonds have nclusions are visible under magnification and may be visible to the naked eye, especially in SI2 diamonds. SI1 diamonds may still appear eye-clean to most people - this makes them a great choice for those who want a balance of quality and budget.
  
  

• Included (I1, I2, I3): These diamonds have inclusions that are obvious under magnification and often visible to the naked eye. Inclusions on these stones can be so significant that they can impact brilliance and light play. 

Even though clarity plays a large role in a diamond’s appearance, keep in mind that even a diamond with a lower clarity grade can still look great - especially if it’s well cut.

This factor often makes clarity a criteria one that shoppers make compromises on; this of course depends on your particular circumstance and case.

That being said, many VS and SI range diamonds appear virtually transparent to the naked eye. 

Clarity and Diamond Shapes

The shape of the diamond can play a role in how inclusions are perceived. Brilliant-cut diamonds, such as round cuts, tend to hide inclusions well due to the way light reflects off their numerous facets. These diamonds have a high level of brilliance, which helps to mask small imperfections.

On the other hand, fancy-shaped diamonds with larger, more open facets—such as emerald, Asscher, or cushion cuts—are more prone to revealing inclusions. In these cases, it’s advisable to choose a diamond with a higher clarity grade to ensure that the inclusions do not detract from the diamond’s appearance.

For example, if you're interested in an emerald-cut diamond, you might want to prioritize clarity in your selection process, as the large, step-cut facets will expose any inclusions more easily than the smaller facets of a round-cut diamond.

The Impact of Clarity on Diamond Value

Like cut, color, and carat weight, clarity plays a significant role in determining a diamond’s price.

Diamonds with higher clarity grades, like as Flawless (FL) and Internally Flawless (IF) stones, come at premium prices due to their rarity, and also the precision required to cut and polish them to perfection. However, know that clarity is often an area where buyers can make trade-offs without compromising the overall beauty of the stone.

Because most diamonds in jewelry are pretty small, inclusions and blemishes are often imperceptible during everyday wear - unless looked at from up close. For example, diamonds in the Very Slightly Included (VS) or Slightly Included (SI) range can appear nearly flawless to the naked eye yet cost significantly less than their Flawless or Internally Flawless counterparts. In some cases, a well-cut diamond with minor inclusions can exhibit just as much brilliance and visual appeal as a higher-clarity stone—but at a more accessible price.

For many buyers, finding the right balance between clarity and the other Three Cs—cut, color, and carat—is key to selecting a diamond that aligns with both their preferences and budget. Opting for a slightly lower clarity grade can free up room to invest in a better cut or a larger carat weight, enhancing the diamond’s overall presence and sparkle.

In the end, choosing the right diamond comes down to your personal preferences and budget. Some buyers want perfection - stones with the highest clarity grades with no compromise on quality, regardless of price. Others focus on maximizing beauty while staying within their budget, opting for diamonds that are eye clean and offer exceptional brilliance without the premium price tag.

At SUNSHINE, we understand that there are a lot of factors to consider when purchasing a diamond. Since diamonds are both an emotional and a value-based investment, making the right choice can be challenging. 

If you’re in the market for a diamond, we can help. With a GIA gemologist on staff, our team has the expertise and years of experience needed to help you find the perfect stone at the right price. Come stop by one of our two locations in the Philadelphia area and see why we’ve become the city’s preferred fine jewelers.