How Should Diamond Clarity Grade Affect Your Diamond Purchase?

You’re in the market for a diamond and you want to arm yourself with enough information to make a smart purchase. You’ve done some basic research, you’re familiar with the four Cs, and you’d like to know a bit more about diamond clarity grade.

Specifically, how much should diamond clarity grade influence your choice of diamond? The question to ask yourself is whether outward appearance is most important, or whether you want a truly valuable diamond. Most buyers fall somewhere in the middle, seeking high quality at the best price available.

Clarity refers to a diamond’s appearance based on the number of flaws that are visible to the eye or under a microscope. Diamond clarity grade is determined by a scale of rankings utilized by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and the American Gem Society Laboratories (AGSL).

These organizations issue grading reports on diamonds, and they are a great resource to consult before making a final purchase. Once you buy the diamond, you should request the accompanying report or certificate.

Diamond clarity grade can be categorized as follows:

	Flawless (IF)
	Internally Flawless (IF)
	Very Very Slightly Included (VVS1 or VVS2)
	Very Slightly Included (VS1 or VS2)
	Slightly Included (SI1 or SI2)
	Included (I1, I2, or I3)

Flawless and internally flawless diamonds are rare, and therefore the most expensive gems. Diamond clarity grades between VVS1 and SI2 indicate the extent to which flaws are visible to a trained gemologist using a microscope.

Diamond clarity grade helps to establish the value of a diamond, regardless of its outer appearance. The exception to this is the Included category, where diamond clarity grades of I1, I2, or I3 indicate that flaws are visible to the naked eye. Most jewelers recommend that consumers avoid purchasing diamonds in this category.

If finding the most attractive diamond at the most affordable price is your top priority, then you should start your search at diamond clarity grade SI1 or SI2. These diamonds are defined as “eye-clean” by gemologists, because their flaws are not visible without a microscope.

Another concern is whether the diamond clarity grade has been affected by any treatments or “enhancements” to the stone. Laser drilling and fracture filling are just two examples of such enhancements. Sellers should disclose to potential buyers whether the diamond has been subjected to any treatments to remove blemishes or inclusions. A treated diamond may appear to be worth more, but the true value of the natural diamond may have been diminished.

Understanding diamond clarity may seem difficult at first, compared to the other three Cs (cut, color, and carat weight). A rating system based on minute variations in the detection of flaws can be confusing. But knowing the basics of how diamond clarity grade is determined can bolster your confidence in the diamond buying process.