Diamond Clarity Guide: Understanding What Makes Every Diamond Unique

No two diamonds are exactly alike.

Hidden within many diamonds are tiny natural characteristics formed during their creation. Some are almost impossible to see, while others may be more noticeable. These characteristics help determine what is known as a diamond’s clarity.

Clarity is one of the famous 4Cs of diamond quality, alongside cut, colour and carat weight. Yet it is also one of the most misunderstood.

Does a diamond need to be flawless to be beautiful?
What do terms such as VS, VVS and SI actually mean?
And how much clarity should you really pay for?

This guide simplifies diamond clarity so you can understand what matters when choosing a diamond.

What Is Diamond Clarity?

Diamond clarity describes the presence—or absence—of tiny internal and external characteristics within a diamond.

Internal characteristics are known as inclusions, while characteristics found on the surface are generally known as blemishes.

Because diamonds are created under extraordinary conditions of heat and pressure, naturally formed diamonds can develop minute characteristics during their formation. Lab-grown diamonds can also contain inclusions as a result of their growth process.

Think of them almost like a diamond’s fingerprint: they can make each stone individually identifiable.

In many diamonds, these characteristics are so small that they cannot be seen without magnification.

Inclusions vs Blemishes: What Is the Difference?

Although the two terms are often grouped together when discussing clarity, they refer to different things.

Inclusions

Inclusions occur inside the diamond.

Common examples include:

• Crystals: tiny mineral crystals trapped within the diamond.

• Feathers: small internal fractures that may resemble a feather under magnification.

• Needles: long, thin inclusions resembling tiny needles.

• Pinpoints: extremely small crystal inclusions that appear as tiny dots.

• Clouds: groups of microscopic pinpoints located close together.

• Twinning wisps: irregular patterns that can develop as a diamond forms.

Most inclusions are microscopic and have little or no visible effect when a diamond is viewed normally.

Blemishes

Blemishes occur primarily on the surface of the diamond.

These may include small scratches, abrasions, polish marks or other surface characteristics.

The important thing to remember is that the mere presence of an inclusion does not automatically make a diamond unattractive.

Its size, type, position and visibility matter much more.

How Is Diamond Clarity Graded?

Professional graders examine diamonds under 10× magnification when determining clarity.

Several factors are considered, including:

Size – How large is the clarity characteristic?

Number – How many inclusions or blemishes are present?

Location – Where are they positioned within the diamond?

Nature – What type of inclusion or blemish is it?

Relief – How easily does the characteristic stand out against the diamond?

An inclusion positioned directly beneath the centre of a diamond, for example, may have more visual impact than a similar inclusion hidden close to the edge.

This is why two diamonds carrying the same clarity grade can still look slightly different.

Understanding the Diamond Clarity Scale

The internationally recognised GIA clarity scale contains 11 clarity grades, beginning with Flawless and progressing through increasingly visible levels of inclusion.

FL – Flawless

A Flawless diamond has no inclusions or blemishes visible to a skilled grader under 10× magnification.

These diamonds are exceptionally rare.

Their rarity usually commands a considerable premium, although the visual difference between a Flawless diamond and certain lower clarity grades may be impossible to detect with the naked eye.

IF – Internally Flawless

An Internally Flawless diamond contains no visible internal inclusions under 10× magnification, although minor surface blemishes may be present.

Like Flawless diamonds, IF diamonds are rare and highly prized.

VVS1 and VVS2 – Very, Very Slightly Included

VVS diamonds contain extremely small inclusions that are difficult for even trained professionals to locate under magnification.

The difference between VVS1 and VVS2 generally relates to factors such as the location, visibility and nature of the inclusions.

To the naked eye, VVS diamonds will typically appear completely clean.

VS1 and VS2 – Very Slightly Included

VS diamonds contain minor inclusions that can be identified under 10× magnification but are often difficult to notice without it.

This category is particularly important for jewellery buyers because many VS diamonds appear visually flawless during normal wear.

For someone seeking a beautiful balance between visual purity and value, the VS range can be particularly attractive.

SI1 and SI2 – Slightly Included

SI diamonds contain inclusions that are easier for a trained grader to identify under magnification.

Whether these inclusions are visible without magnification depends on the individual diamond.

Some SI diamonds may appear eye-clean, while others may contain inclusions that can be noticed from certain angles.

Because of this variation, individual inspection becomes particularly important within this range.

I1, I2 and I3 – Included

Diamonds in the Included category contain obvious inclusions under magnification.

Depending on their size and location, these characteristics may also be visible without magnification and can sometimes affect a diamond’s transparency, brilliance or durability.

What Does “Eye-Clean” Mean?

You may often hear jewellers describe a diamond as eye-clean.

Eye-clean is not an official clarity grade.

Instead, it simply means that the diamond's inclusions are not readily noticeable to the unaided eye under normal viewing conditions.

This distinction is important.

A diamond does not need a Flawless or VVS grade to appear completely clean when worn.

For example, a carefully selected VS2—or even some SI1 diamonds—may look perfectly clean without magnification.

That is why buying the highest clarity grade available is not always necessary.

Does Higher Clarity Mean More Sparkle?

Not necessarily.

A diamond's brilliance is influenced heavily by its cut quality—how effectively its facets interact with light.

Clarity can affect brilliance when inclusions are large or numerous enough to interfere with light travelling through the stone. However, once inclusions become visually insignificant, increasing the clarity grade may not produce a noticeable increase in sparkle.

This means a beautifully cut VS diamond can look considerably more brilliant than a poorly cut diamond with a much higher clarity grade.

When choosing a diamond, clarity should therefore be considered alongside the other 4Cs rather than in isolation.

Which Diamond Clarity Is Best?

There is no single clarity grade that is right for everyone.

The ideal grade depends on the diamond, your priorities and how the stone will be worn.

If rarity is the priority, FL, IF or VVS diamonds offer exceptionally high clarity.

If you want a balance between high quality and value, VS1 and VS2 diamonds are often worth considering.

Certain SI1 diamonds may also offer excellent value when their inclusions are well positioned and not visible without magnification.

Rather than simply asking, “What is the highest clarity grade I can afford?”, a more useful question is:

Can I actually see the inclusion?

If the answer is no, paying substantially more for a higher clarity grade may provide rarity on paper without dramatically changing how the jewellery looks on your hand.

Clarity and Diamond Shape

Diamond shape can also influence how easily inclusions are seen.

Brilliant Cuts

Shapes such as:

• Round brilliant

• Princess

• Cushion

• Radiant

contain numerous facets that create sparkle and movement.

This brilliance can sometimes help conceal minor inclusions.

Step Cuts

Shapes such as:

• Emerald

• Asscher

feature large, open facets that create their signature hall-of-mirrors appearance.

Because their interiors are more visually exposed, inclusions may be easier to notice.

For this reason, buyers sometimes prefer a slightly higher clarity grade when choosing an emerald or Asscher-cut diamond.

Does Diamond Size Affect Clarity?

It can.

As carat weight increases, the visible surface area of the diamond generally becomes larger.

An inclusion that is difficult to notice in a smaller diamond may become easier to see in a larger stone.

Therefore, when choosing higher-carat diamonds, it can be useful to examine the individual stone carefully rather than relying only on the clarity grade printed on its certificate.

Where the Inclusion Is Located Matters

Not all inclusions have the same visual impact.

An inclusion directly beneath the centre—or table—of a diamond may be easier to notice than one positioned near the outer edge.

An inclusion near the edge may sometimes be partially concealed by the jewellery setting.

However, certain inclusions near vulnerable areas of a diamond should also be evaluated carefully because their position may potentially affect durability.

This is one reason professional diamond selection involves looking beyond the grade itself.

VVS vs VS: Can You See the Difference?

Under magnification, yes.

With the naked eye, often not.

A VVS diamond contains inclusions that are extremely difficult to identify even under 10× magnification. A VS diamond contains inclusions that are easier for a trained grader to find but still minor.

Once the diamond is set into jewellery and viewed normally, both may appear beautifully clean.

The difference is therefore often more significant in terms of rarity and price than everyday appearance.

Clarity and Price

Diamond prices generally increase as clarity improves, assuming other factors such as cut, colour and carat weight remain comparable.

The reason is simple: diamonds with fewer clarity characteristics are rarer.

However, price differences between clarity grades may be significant even when the visual differences are extremely subtle.

This is where informed diamond selection becomes valuable.

Rather than paying purely for a grade, consider how the individual stone actually looks.

A diamond with intelligently positioned inclusions can offer outstanding beauty without requiring the premium associated with exceptionally rare clarity grades.

Natural Diamonds and Lab-Grown Diamonds: Is Clarity Graded Differently?

Both natural and laboratory-grown diamonds can contain clarity characteristics.

They are evaluated using the same fundamental clarity terminology—from Flawless through Included.

However, certain inclusion types can differ depending on how the diamond was formed or grown.

Regardless of origin, the same principle remains important for the buyer:

Look at the diamond itself, not only the letters on the grading report.

What Should You Look for When Buying a Diamond?

When comparing diamonds, consider clarity alongside the entire stone rather than treating it as a standalone number.

Ask yourself:

1. Is the diamond eye-clean?

2. Where are its inclusions located?

3. Do the inclusions affect brilliance or transparency?

4. Could any inclusion affect durability?

5. Does the diamond have an independent grading report?

6. Am I paying for a visible improvement, or simply a higher grade?

7. How well does the clarity complement the diamond's cut, colour and carat weight?

These questions often provide much more useful information than simply choosing the highest clarity available.

The Galassia Perspective

At Galassia Jewels, we believe a diamond should be appreciated as a complete creation.

Clarity matters—but perfection on a grading report is not the only definition of beauty.

What truly matters is how the stone performs visually, how its characteristics are positioned, how beautifully it has been cut and how all of these elements work together within the finished jewel.

A thoughtfully selected diamond can appear beautifully clean and luminous without necessarily carrying the highest possible clarity grade.

Understanding clarity allows you to choose with confidence—not simply by chasing specifications, but by recognising the qualities that genuinely contribute to the beauty of the stone.

Frequently Asked Questions About Diamond Clarity

What is the highest diamond clarity?

Flawless (FL) is the highest clarity grade on the GIA scale. No inclusions or blemishes are visible to a skilled grader under 10× magnification.

Is VS clarity good for a diamond?

Yes. VS1 and VS2 diamonds contain minor inclusions, and many appear completely clean without magnification. They can offer an excellent combination of appearance, quality and value.

Is VVS better than VS?

VVS is technically a higher clarity grade because its inclusions are more difficult to identify under magnification. However, the difference may not be noticeable to the naked eye.

What diamond clarity looks flawless to the eye?

Many VVS and VS diamonds appear flawless without magnification. Certain SI diamonds can also be eye-clean depending on the size and position of their inclusions.

Are inclusions bad?

Not necessarily. Almost all diamonds contain some form of clarity characteristic. Many inclusions are microscopic and have no noticeable effect on the diamond's appearance.

Does clarity affect diamond sparkle?

Major inclusions can potentially affect transparency and brilliance, but cut quality is generally much more influential in determining how much a diamond sparkles.

Should I always buy the highest clarity grade?

Not necessarily. Higher clarity means greater rarity, but the improvement may not be visible without magnification. For many buyers, selecting an eye-clean diamond and prioritising excellent cut can offer a better balance.

Final Thoughts

Diamond clarity is ultimately about understanding what lies within a diamond—not searching for perfection at any cost.

From exceptionally rare Flawless stones to beautifully eye-clean VS and SI diamonds, every clarity grade tells part of a diamond's individual story.

The most considered choice is one that balances clarity, cut, colour and carat weight while focusing on what your eyes actually see.

Because when a diamond is chosen well, its beauty should be the first thing you notice—not its inclusions.

Discover diamonds and fine jewellery at Galassia Jewels, where considered design, craftsmanship and carefully selected stones come together to create pieces designed to endure.