How Diamond Clarity Affects Engagement Ring Brilliance & Value

When choosing an engagement ring, the first thing that catches the eye is often the sparkle, that dazzling play of light that makes a diamond so captivating. But behind the brilliance lies a crucial factor many overlook: diamond clarity. This subtle feature doesn’t just impact sparkle; it also affects a diamond’s value and long-term appeal.

Knowing how clarity influences beauty and price can help you make a smarter, more confident choice, and sometimes even save money without sacrificing brilliance. In this guide, we’ll break down diamond clarity, show how it affects sparkle and cost, and help you find the perfect balance for your diamond engagement ring.

Diamond clarity refers to the presence (or absence) of natural imperfections inside or on the surface of a diamond. These imperfections are known as:

• Inclusions: Internal flaws such as small crystals, feathers, or clouds.

• Blemishes: Surface-level marks, such as scratches or chips.

These imperfections form naturally during the diamond’s creation under extreme pressure and heat deep within the Earth. Every diamond is unique, and clarity helps classify how “clean” or flawless it appears, particularly under 10x magnification, which is the industry standard for grading.

Clarity is essential, especially when it affects how a diamond looks and sparkles. When inclusions are large, poorly positioned, or numerous, they can block or scatter light as it passes through the diamond. This directly impacts the diamond’s brilliance (sparkle), making it look dull or cloudy instead of bright and lively.

However, most inclusions are microscopic and don’t affect how the diamond looks to the naked eye. That means diamonds with slightly lower clarity grades (like VS1 or SI1) can still appear flawless while costing significantly less than higher-graded stones.

Diamond clarity affects both how much a diamond reflects light (or sparkles) and how much it costs. When a diamond has fewer and smaller inclusions, light can pass through it more easily, making it shine brighter and show off more sparkle (which is called brilliance). But if the diamond has noticeable flaws, these can block or scatter light, dulling its sparkle.

In terms of value, diamonds with higher clarity grades are rarer and more desirable, so they usually cost more. Moving up the clarity scale (especially above VS1) can mean steep price increases, even if the difference in appearance is minimal.

However, many diamonds with slight inclusions still appear beautiful and can offer great value without significantly compromising sparkle. This is where smart buyers can get ahead. By knowing how to spot eye-clean diamonds in slightly lower clarity grades, you can save hundreds or thousands while still getting a beautiful, brilliant stone.

Explore our stunning collection of diamond engagement rings

To make evaluating diamond clarity easier, the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) developed a widely recognised grading scale. This scale is based on how many imperfections are visible under 10x magnification, the industry standard for clarity grading. Here's a breakdown of each clarity grade:

A flawless diamond is exactly what it sounds like, completely free of both internal inclusions and external blemishes under 10x magnification. Flawless diamonds are extremely rare, typically less than 1% of all gem-quality diamonds mined and graded each year.

Because they are so pure, they carry a significant premium in price. Visually, they offer perfect transparency and unmatched brilliance. However, the added cost of a flawless diamond is usually about rarity, not appearance, as most inclusions in lower-grade diamonds are not visible to the naked eye.

Internally Flawless diamonds have no internal inclusions, but they may show very minor surface blemishes when viewed under magnification. These blemishes are usually so slight (like tiny polish marks) that they don't affect the appearance or brilliance of the diamond.

IF diamonds are nearly as rare as Flawless ones, making them highly valuable, especially to collectors or buyers seeking top-tier quality. To the naked eye, IF and FL diamonds look identical.

VVS diamonds contain minute inclusions that are incredibly difficult to detect even under 10x magnification. VVS1 is slightly cleaner than VVS2, but the differences are extremely subtle and typically only noticeable to trained gemologists. While VVS diamonds often contain tiny pinpoint inclusions or microscopic clouds, they look completely flawless to the naked eye. This makes them an excellent choice for those who want near-perfection without paying the high premium of FL or IF grades.

VS diamonds have small inclusions that are more noticeable under magnification, but they’re still not visible without it in most cases. The inclusions might include small crystals, feathers, or clouds. VS1 is the cleaner of the two, with fewer or smaller inclusions than VS2. For most buyers, VS diamonds offer an excellent balance of high clarity and reasonable cost. In fact, many VS diamonds appear eye-clean, especially in stones under 2 carats.

SI diamonds contain inclusions that are easily seen under magnification and may be visible to the naked eye, especially in larger stones or SI2 grades.

These inclusions can range from noticeable crystals to clouds or feathers, but many SI1 diamonds are still considered "eye-clean," meaning the flaws aren’t visible unless you’re looking closely. SI clarity is often a popular choice for budget-conscious buyers, as you can find a beautiful diamond that looks clean in everyday settings at a more affordable price.

Included diamonds have obvious inclusions that are usually visible without magnification. These flaws can impact the appearance and structural integrity of the stone.

In I1 diamonds, the inclusions may still be tolerable for some buyers, especially if they are off-centre or hidden by a setting. However, I2 and I3 diamonds often have inclusions that affect brilliance and make the stone look cloudy or dull. These diamonds are typically chosen for their low price, but it's important to inspect them in person to ensure you’re happy with how they look.

Learn more: Diamond buying guide

Diamond clarity is often one of the most misunderstood aspects of buying a diamond. Many shoppers end up paying too much or overlooking stunning stones because of persistent myths that simply don’t hold up in reality. Let’s clear up some of the most common misconceptions and help you choose the ideal diamond clarity for your ring.

Flawless Diamonds Sparkle More: Not necessarily. Cut quality has a far greater impact on a diamond’s brilliance than clarity alone. A perfectly cut VS1 diamond can easily outshine a poorly cut IF (Internally Flawless) stone. Sparkle comes from how light interacts with the diamond's facets, not just how clear it is.

All Inclusions Are Bad: Some inclusions are microscopic or cleverly hidden near the edges of a diamond, where they're either covered by the setting or invisible to the naked eye. These "non-threatening" inclusions often have no noticeable effect on sparkle or durability.

Higher Clarity Is Always Better: In theory, yes. But in practice, not always. Most inclusions are only visible under high magnification (10x), meaning a diamond with a VS2 or SI1 grade can appear identical to a VVS diamond in everyday wear. Unless you're using a loupe every day, a higher clarity grade might just add to the cost, not the beauty. Many expert diamond jewellers agree that clarity is one of the most forgiving of the 4Cs. A diamond can still be stunning, structurally sound, and brilliant with a mid-grade clarity, especially if other factors (like cut) are top-notch.

Inclusions Weaken the Diamond: This depends on the type and location of the inclusion. Minor inclusions don’t affect durability, but large, deep inclusions (especially in I1-I3 stones) can pose structural concerns. Most diamonds in the SI1 or higher range are durable enough for everyday wear.

Lab Diamonds Have Better Clarity: Lab-grown diamonds can have fewer inclusions, but they aren't always flawless. They can still develop metallic inclusions or growth marks depending on the production process. Always check the clarity grade, even with lab diamonds.

Also read: The 4Cs of diamonds

Different diamond shapes can impact how visible inclusions appear, with some shapes hiding inclusions better than others. For example, brilliant cuts like round, oval, pear, or cushion diamond have many small facets that create intense sparkle, which helps mask small inclusions. You can often go slightly lower in clarity and still get a clean look.

However, step cuts such as asscher cut and emerald cut diamonds have large, open facets that emphasise transparency and clarity. As a result, inclusions are easier to spot. For these shapes, it’s better to go for a higher clarity grade to ensure visual cleanliness.

You may also like: Diamond shapes and cuts

Buy from reputable and trusted jewellers. At Regal in Hatton Garden, our experts ensure every diamond meets the highest standards. Always buy diamonds that come with certification from trusted grading labs, such as GIA, IGI, HRD or AGS. These reports provide an objective clarity grade and detailed mapping of inclusions, so you know exactly what you’re getting.

When possible, view high-resolution images or videos of the actual stone, not just stock photos or virtual simulations. This lets you assess how visible the inclusions really are. For the best experience, we welcome you to visit our Hatton Garden jewellers' store to view a wide selection of certified diamonds in person and compare different options side by side. Book an appointment with one of our expert jewellers to discuss your preferences. We’re here to guide you every step of the way on your diamond buying journey and help you find the perfect stone.

Diamond clarity affects both the look and the price of your engagement ring, but it doesn’t have to shape your entire budget. By understanding the clarity scale and learning how to find eye-clean stones, you can choose a diamond that dazzles without overpaying.

At Regal Hatton Garden Jewellers, we specialise in exquisite diamond jewellery that blends expert craftsmanship with exceptional value. Every diamond we offer is GIA and IGI certified, ethically sourced, and handcrafted in the heart of Hatton Garden, London’s most iconic jewellery district. Visit us today to begin your journey towards finding a diamond that dazzles as much as your commitment.