Diamond clarity: the grades and what you can actually see

The diamond clarity scale: FL to I3

GIA’s clarity scale has 11 grades in six groups. A trained grader assesses the stone at 10×, rather than judging only what is visible when you wear it.

Inclusions are features inside the diamond or extending into it from the surface. Blemishes are confined to the surface.

Within a group, 1 is the higher clarity grade. FL is the highest grade, but you do not need a flawless diamond for a beautiful ring. This table summarises the GIA clarity scale; it does not tell you whether inclusions will be visible without magnification.

What does “eye-clean” mean?

“Eye-clean” means inclusions are not visible without magnification under the conditions used to view the diamond. It is not a laboratory clarity grade. Lighting, distance, eyesight and viewing angle all matter. GIA: practical clarity guidance.

View the clean diamond from above at a comfortable distance, then ask to see it under magnification. If the setting exposes the sides, check those views too. Ask how the seller assessed “eye-clean”.

An enlarged online video can make a tiny inclusion look alarming. It is useful for locating marks, but it does not show their everyday visibility by itself.

Which clarity grade should you consider?

For a round brilliant, start with VS2 and compare nearby grades, including SI1 stones after inspection. VS1 or VVS may appeal if you value the grade, but may not look different. GIA notes that VS inclusions are usually invisible without magnification, with exceptions particularly in larger stones. GIA: VVS versus VS.

For emerald and Asscher cuts, compare VS1 and above first. Their broad, open facets can make inclusions easier to see. This is a starting point, not a minimum grade: lower grades may still look clean, and every stone needs inspection. GIA: emerald-cut diamonds.

For ovals, cushions, radiants and other shapes, look at inclusion visibility across the whole stone. Shape alone cannot guarantee an eye-clean result. SI2 and Included grades need particularly careful assessment of appearance, transparency and any durability concerns.

Why two diamonds with the same grade can look different

Clarity depends on an inclusion’s size, number, position, nature and contrast against the surrounding diamond. A dark mark beneath the large top facet, called the table, may be easier to notice than a similar feature near the edge. The number of marks alone does not tell you which stone looks better. GIA: diamond quality factors.

These examples from Anny’s round diamond guide are both SI1. Their reports list different carat weights; the photographs are enlarged to similar display sizes.

SI1: less noticeable inclusions

SI1: noticeable central inclusions

These enlarged photographs show how inclusion position and contrast can differ within one grade. Check each diamond without magnification before judging its everyday appearance. Images and paired reports: Anny’s round diamond guide.

Report terms describe features, not automatic reasons to reject a diamond:

• Crystal: a mineral crystal inside the diamond.
• Pinpoint or cloud: a tiny dot-like inclusion, or a cluster that can appear hazy.
• Feather: a fracture that may look white or feathery under magnification.

These are standard GIA inclusion terms. The practical questions are whether a feature is visible, affects transparency or raises a durability concern. A feather needs assessment of its size, depth and position; its name alone does not establish that a diamond is fragile. GIA: clarity and durability.

Does higher clarity mean more sparkle?

Not necessarily. Cut governs how a diamond handles light, while significant inclusions can affect its transparency and brilliance. Once clarity characteristics are unobtrusive, moving further up the scale may bring little visible benefit. IGI: the diamond 4Cs.

Compare the diamond’s brightness and appearance alongside its clarity. Our diamond cut guide explains what to look for. Balance colour against your preferences and setting too; there is no single clarity-versus-colour formula for every ring.

How does clarity affect the price?

Compare similar stones before deciding what a higher clarity grade is worth to you. These Anny’s examples are all 1.00ct natural round diamonds, G colour, GIA-graded, with Excellent cut:

The three lowest-priced listings per grade were selected on 19 September 2026. Prices for those same nine diamonds were rechecked on 20 September 2026; the ranges above reflect that update.

Australian dollars, including GST as displayed. Loose diamonds only; setting and manufacture are additional. Prices and availability can change.

These nine listings differ in proportions, finish and fluorescence, so the price gaps cannot be attributed to clarity alone. Compare the actual stones before paying more for a grade. Online availability does not mean a diamond is held in either showroom.

For a typical price rather than single listings, use the calculator below. It shows what a natural and a lab-grown diamond cost by shape and carat weight, worked out each night from the diamonds available through us at one stated grade: VS2 clarity for natural diamonds and VS1 for lab-grown. A lower clarity grade usually costs less; follow its links to compare real stones at every grade.

What about lab-grown diamond clarity?

Lab-grown diamonds can have inclusions, so apply the same practical checks: visible marks, transparency and overall appearance. Their origin does not guarantee an eye-clean stone. IGI: lab-grown diamonds.

Read the actual grading document. IGI reports use individual 4Cs grades. Since 1 October 2025, GIA’s new assessments for colourless-to-near-colourless lab-grown diamonds use “Premium” or “Standard” overall classifications. Those classifications combine several quality factors and are not direct substitutes for a single clarity grade. Older GIA reports may have a different format. IGI reports, GIA’s reporting update.

Before choosing your diamond

Ask your jeweller to explain the report’s comments and which features determined the grade. A plotting diagram maps the features and their locations, but some reports omit it and some characteristics appear only in the comments. View the stone too: the diagram cannot show its everyday appearance. GIA: understanding clarity plots.