Diamond Clarity Guide

Diamond clarity measures the natural internal and external characteristics found within a diamond. While clarity is one of the famous 4Cs of diamond quality, it's often misunderstood. You don't always need the highest clarity grade to own a beautiful diamond. In fact, many diamonds with lower clarity grades look completely flawless to the naked eye. This guide explains everything you need to know about diamond clarity, how it is graded and which clarity offers the best value.

What Is Diamond Clarity?

Diamond clarity measures the number, size and visibility of natural imperfections within a diamond. These imperfections are created while the diamond forms under immense heat and pressure deep within the Earth. Lab-grown diamonds can also contain tiny internal characteristics formed during the growing process.

Internal imperfections are known as inclusions, while surface marks are called blemishes. Almost every diamond has some form of natural characteristic, making each stone completely unique.

Professional gemmologists examine these characteristics under 10x magnification before assigning a clarity grade.

Why Does Diamond Clarity Matter?

Clarity plays a role in both the beauty and value of a diamond. Diamonds with fewer visible inclusions are rarer and therefore more valuable.

However, clarity usually has less impact on a diamond's appearance than its cut. A well-cut diamond with a slightly lower clarity grade will often sparkle more beautifully than a poorly cut diamond with exceptional clarity.

For this reason, many buyers choose an eye-clean diamond rather than paying significantly more for imperfections that cannot be seen without magnification.

Diamond Inclusions & Surface Blemishes

Common Internal Inclusions:

Cavity: A small opening created when part of an inclusion reaches the surface.
Cloud: A cluster of microscopic pinpoints that may create a slightly hazy appearance.
Crystal: A small mineral trapped inside the diamond during formation.
Feather: A tiny internal fracture that often resembles a feather.
Graining: Fine internal growth lines formed as the diamond develops.
Needle: A long, thin crystal inside the diamond.
Knot: A crystal that extends to the surface of the diamond.
Pinpoint: Tiny crystal-like dots within the diamond.

Common External Blemishes:

Abrasion: Slight wear along the facet edges.
Chip: A small piece missing from the surface or edge.
Natural: A small area of the original rough diamond left after cutting.
Nick: A tiny notch, usually found around the girdle.
Pit: A very small surface opening or dot.
Rough Girdle: A textured or unpolished section around the diamond's outer edge.
Scratch: A fine line on the surface caused by wear or contact.

Diamond Clarity Grades

Natural diamonds form over billions of years beneath the Earth, while lab-grown diamonds develop in controlled environments. Although their growth processes differ, both are graded using the same clarity standards.

The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) developed the most widely recognised clarity grading system. The scale begins with Flawless (FL) and ends with Included (I).

Most inclusions and blemishes have little or no impact on a diamond's appearance. In fact, many VS and SI1 diamonds look completely eye-clean without magnification, making them an excellent choice for beauty and value.

What Does Eye-Clean Mean?

An eye-clean diamond has no inclusions visible to the naked eye under normal viewing conditions. Many VS2 and SI1 diamonds are eye-clean, offering excellent beauty and value without paying for higher clarity grades.

Brilliant-cut shapes like round, oval, cushion and pear naturally hide small inclusions, while emerald and asscher cuts have larger facets that make inclusions more noticeable, so higher clarity grades are recommended for these shapes to maintain a clean appearance.

If you're choosing between a larger diamond or a higher clarity grade, our diamond carat vs clarity guide explains the pros and cons of each to help you make the right decision.

What Is the Best Diamond Clarity?

For most diamond engagement rings VS1, VS2 and eye-clean SI1 diamonds provide the best overall value. These grades typically appear flawless without magnification while avoiding the premium prices associated with rarer clarity grades.

Choosing an eye-clean diamond often allows you to invest more of your budget in a better cut or larger carat weight, both of which have a greater impact on the diamond's overall appearance.