Diamond clairty is is defined by the amount of surface blemishes and internal inclusions. The fewer blemishes and inclusions, the more valuable the diamond. Inclusions and blemishes do provide one benifit to diamonds though. They can be used to positively identify a diamond since no two diamonds will have the same type and number of inclusions in exactly the same place.

The GIA Clarity Scale

• Flawless (FL): Flawless diamonds show no inclusions or blemishes of any sort under 10X magnification when observed by an experienced grader.
• Internally Flawless (IF): Internally Flawless diamonds have no inclusions when examined by an experienced grader using 10X magnification, but will have some minor blemishes.
• Very Very Slightly Included (VVS1 & VVS2): Very very slightly included diamonds contain minute inclusions that are difficult even for experienced graders to see under 10X magnification.
• Very Slightly Included (VS1 & VS2): Very slightly included diamonds Contain minute inclusions such as small crystals, clouds, or feathers when observed with effort under 10X magnification.
• Slightly Included (SI1 & SI2): Slightly included diamonds Contain inclusions (clouds, included crystals, knots, cavities, and feathers) that are noticeable to an experienced grader under 10X magnification.
• Included (I1 & I2): Included diamonds Contain inclusions (possibly large feathers or large included crystals) that are obvious under 10X magnification and may affect transparency and brilliance.

Some diamonds are referred to as “eye clean” meaning that while they may have inclusions, these inclusions may not be visible to most people without magnification. These diamonds generally fall in the SI1 and better range though SI2 graded diamonds may exhibit similar eye clean characteristics.

Monday we will explain the new SI3 clarity grade.

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