What is Diamond Clarity? Understanding the Sparkle Factor
When shopping for a diamond, one of the most important factors to consider is clarity. Clarity refers to the tiny imperfections — known as inclusions — that can affect how light travels through the diamond. These inclusions may appear as black, grey, or white marks inside the stone.
Diamonds with fewer inclusions are rarer, more brilliant, and more expensive. Grading is done under 10x magnification by professional gemmologists, making clarity one of the most precise and essential aspects of diamond evaluation.
The Diamond Clarity Scale
Internally Flawless (IF)
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No internal inclusions — nature’s perfect diamond.
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Rare, symbolic, and highly sought after for engagement rings.
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Extremely valuable and admired as the ultimate gesture of love.
Very Very Slightly Included (VVS1 & VVS2)
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Tiny inclusions, very difficult to detect even under magnification.
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VVS1 inclusions are usually near the girdle (edge).
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VVS2 inclusions may appear closer to the table (centre).
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Considered investment-quality diamonds with exceptional sparkle.
Very Slightly Included (VS1 & VS2)
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Small inclusions that are difficult to see with the naked eye.
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VS1: inclusions near the edges.
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VS2: inclusions closer to the centre.
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Excellent value — high clarity without the premium price of VVS or IF.
Slightly Included (SI1, SI2, SI3)
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SI1: Usually “eye-clean” (inclusions hard to spot without magnification).
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SI2: Inclusions may be visible, sometimes darker in colour.
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SI3: Introduced by EGL, but not widely recognised by major grading labs.
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A good option for budget-conscious buyers, though inclusions may reduce sparkle.
Included (I1, I2, I3 – or P1, P2, P3)
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Inclusions are visible to the naked eye.
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Reduced brilliance due to light being blocked or scattered.
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Lower durability (can chip more easily when set).
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Suitable only if size and budget are the priority over quality.
Choosing the Right Diamond Clarity
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IF (Internally Flawless) → The rarest, most perfect clarity grade.
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VVS (Very Very Slight) → Almost flawless, premium sparkle, investment grade.
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VS (Very Slight) → Excellent balance of quality and value, highly recommended.
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SI (Slightly Included) → Affordable, with SI1 often appearing “eye-clean.”
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I (Included) → Noticeable inclusions, poor brilliance, not generally recommended.
When it comes to diamonds, clarity directly influences brilliance, beauty, and value. If your goal is maximum sparkle without overspending, VS1–SI1 diamonds often provide the best balance of quality and price.
At CompareTheDiamond.com (formerly DiamondGeezer.com), we offer over 200,000 certified diamonds, ensuring you find the perfect clarity and cut for your dream jewellery piece.