Diamond Clarity Chart
Quick answer
Diamond clarity grades describe inclusions inside the stone and blemishes on the surface, graded under 10x magnification. For most engagement rings, an eye-clean VS2 is the safest choice, while a carefully checked SI1 can be strong value in brilliant cuts. Flawless grades are rare, expensive and usually more impressive on paper than on the hand.
Diamond clarity scale
Diamond clarity grades explained
FL
Flawless
No inclusions or blemishes visible under 10x magnification. This grade is rare and usually carries a price premium that does not change the face-up look of a ring.
IF
Internally flawless
No inclusions visible under 10x magnification, though minor surface blemishes may be present. It is still more clarity than most engagement ring buyers need.
VVS1 and VVS2
Very very slightly included
Inclusions are difficult for a trained grader to find under 10x magnification. VVS diamonds usually look clean, but the difference from VS is rarely visible without magnification.
VS1 and VS2
Very slightly included
Minor inclusions are visible under magnification but usually not to the naked eye. VS2 is often the point where value and clean appearance meet for engagement rings.
SI1 and SI2
Slightly included
Inclusions are easier to find under magnification. Some SI1 diamonds are eye-clean, especially in round brilliants, while SI2 needs closer inspection before buying.
I1, I2 and I3
Included
Inclusions are obvious under magnification and often visible without it. They can affect transparency, sparkle or durability, so these grades are rarely a good fit for an engagement ring.
What is an eye-clean diamond?
Eye-clean means the inclusions are not visible to the naked eye at normal viewing distance. It is the point where clarity becomes practical rather than theoretical, because the wearer sees the diamond face-up in a ring, not under a gemmological microscope.
Two SI1 diamonds can behave very differently. A white feather near the edge may be hidden by a claw, while a dark crystal under the table can draw the eye every time the stone catches light. This is why magnified video, the grading report and human inspection matter more than the clarity label alone.
Shape changes the threshold. Round brilliants, ovals and cushions can disguise small inclusions through their facet pattern. Emerald cuts and other step cuts show more of the stone at once, so they usually need a cleaner grade.
Best diamond clarity to buy
Most brilliant cuts
Start at VS2, then compare SI1 stones if you can inspect each one. This is where many buyers keep the face-up look clean and spend the saved budget on cut or size.
Step cuts
Emerald and asscher cuts often need VS1 or better because their long facets show inclusions more plainly. A clean-looking VS2 can still work if the inclusion is small, pale and away from the centre.
Larger diamonds
Above about 1.5 carats, inclusions become easier to notice because there is more surface area. Check the exact stone rather than assuming the same grade will look the same at every size.
Lab-grown diamond clarity
Lab-grown diamonds use the same clarity scale as mined diamonds. GIA and IGI grade lab diamonds for inclusions and blemishes in the same way, so a VS2 lab diamond and a VS2 mined diamond are being described by the same clarity language.
The inclusion types can differ. HPHT growth may leave metallic inclusions and CVD growth can show strain patterns or pinpoint features, though a well-selected stone will still face up clean. The same rule applies: choose the lowest clarity grade that looks clean in the individual diamond.
Ready to compare
Choose the stone with clarity in context
Browse lab-grown diamond engagement rings and compare clarity alongside cut, colour, shape and setting style.
View lab-grown ringsFrequently asked questions
- What diamond clarity grade should I choose?
- VS2 is the safest clarity grade for most engagement rings because it usually looks clean without magnification. SI1 can be good value when the individual stone is eye-clean, while step cuts often need VS1 or better.
- What does eye-clean mean in a diamond?
- Eye-clean means you cannot see the inclusions with your naked eye from a normal viewing distance. It is more useful than the grade alone because two diamonds with the same clarity grade can look different.
- Is flawless diamond clarity worth it?
- Usually no. FL and IF clarity grades are rare and expensive, but most people cannot see a difference once the diamond is set. For a ring worn every day, cut quality and an eye-clean appearance matter more.
- Does diamond shape affect clarity?
- Yes. Round brilliant, oval and cushion cuts hide inclusions better because their facets scatter light. Emerald cuts and asscher cuts have broad, open facets, so inclusions show more easily.
- Can diamond inclusions get worse over time?
- Most inclusions stay stable. Durability risks come from certain inclusions, such as feathers near the edge or surface-reaching fractures, which should be checked on the grading report and with magnified images.
Need a second look
Send us the diamond report
If you are comparing two stones, send the grading reports or videos and we can help you spot which inclusions matter.
Contact the studio