Diamond Clarity Guide
Every Diamond’s Fingerprint
Clarity describes the tiny inclusions and surface marks inside or on a diamond. Natural diamonds form them over millions of years; lab-grown diamonds form them as they grow. Either way, they act like a fingerprint, making every diamond one of a kind.
Flawless diamonds are rare, but most inclusions are too small to see with the naked eye. So you can often choose a stone with minor inclusions and still enjoy brilliant sparkle and great value.
Understanding the Clarity Scale
Diamonds are graded on how visible and numerous their inclusions and blemishes are:
| Grade | Description | What you see |
|---|---|---|
| FL / IF | Flawless / Internally flawless | No inclusions visible under 10x magnification |
| VVS1 / VVS2 | Very, very slightly included | Extremely hard to detect, even magnified |
| VS1 / VS2 | Very slightly included | Minor inclusions, not visible to the eye |
| SI1 / SI2 | Slightly included | Inclusions may be visible on close inspection |
| I1 / I2 / I3 | Included | Inclusions easily visible, may affect sparkle |
The Real Gem tip: VS1 to SI1 diamonds offer the best balance of an eye-clean look and value.
Eye-Clean Diamonds
An “eye-clean” diamond is one where you can’t see any inclusions without magnification. Many VS and SI diamonds fall into this category, giving you the same look as higher clarity grades for less.
Good to know: clarity is only part of the picture. Cut and colour often affect how a diamond looks more than clarity does.
How We Choose
We look for diamonds that are eye-clean and sparkle beautifully, not just a grade on paper. Most of our diamonds are in the VS to SI range, and we’re happy to help you choose the right clarity for a bespoke piece.
Clarity and Price
Clarity has a big effect on price, but not always on beauty. That’s why many buyers choose a VS or SI grade and put more of their budget into cut or carat.
The Real Gem tip: go for the best clarity your budget allows, but don’t overpay for perfection you can’t see.