Regardless of whether it grows underground or in a lab, almost every diamond retains shades of its creation in the form of blemishes and inclusions.
These small imperfections, found both inside and on the surface of a diamond, are graded under ‘clarity’. Many of these inclusions will be microscopic, barely affecting the appearance of the stones. Others might be visible to the naked eye.
Diamond clarity grading gives you a picture of how many and what kind of marks your diamond contains, helping you make an informed decision.
What is diamond clarity?
Diamond clarity measures the number of internal and external characteristics a diamond has, known as inclusions and blemishes. These natural imperfections are formed during a diamond’s creation.
Clarity grading assesses how free a stone is from inclusions (internal) and blemishes (external). These can vary from tiny bubbles or feathering within the stone to small scratches on its surface. Completely flawless diamonds are incredibly rare and very valuable, so almost every diamond set in fine jewellery and engagement rings will have imperfections of some degree. The grading scale gives an indication about how far these imperfections affect a diamond’s appearance and brilliance.
Clarity is graded from Flawless (FL) to Included (I1, I2, I3). The higher the clarity, the less imperfections a diamond has.
Diamond clarity grading: a breakdown
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Flawless (FL) / Internally Flawless (IF):
Flawless diamonds have no inclusions visible when viewed under 10x magnification. FL stones are exceptionally rare! Internally flawless (IF) diamonds have no visible internal inclusions, but will have minor surface blemishes.
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Very, Very Slightly Included (VVS1, VVS2):
Very, Very Slightly Included diamonds have minute inclusions that are very difficult to detect, even under 10x magnification. VVS1 diamonds are clearer than VVS2.
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Very Slightly Included (VS1, VS2):
Very Slightly Included diamonds have minor inclusions, detectable to an expert grader using 10x magnification. To the naked eye these diamonds appear perfectly clear, making VS a ‘sweet spot’ for balancing value with clarity. VS1 is clearer than VS2.
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Slightly Included (SI1, SI2):
Slightly Included diamonds have noticeable inclusions, which a grader using 10x magnification will easily spot. Depending on the type of inclusions an SI stone may look quite clear to the naked eye - for instance, a black inclusion may be more visible than a white one). SI1 stones are clearer than S12.
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Included (I1, I2, I3):
Diamonds in this category have obvious inclusions, usually visible even to the naked eye. Some people like the appearance of included stones - for instance, a ‘salt and pepper’ diamond is simply a highly included stone - but generally these grades are less desirable, especially for engagement rings.
Harper Tait’s take on diamond clarity
We want you to look at your diamond and be bowled over, from the very first time you see it to the countless times you’ll gaze into it in the years to come!
That’s why we only offer diamonds with a clarity grade of VS1 or VS2, which are completely eye clean and free of any major inclusions that could marr the look of your stone. We want to be sure you will never be bothered by spotting an imperfection in your engagement ring.
Although a high clarity grade, we feel VS clarity diamonds offer an excellent balance between value and quality. With minor inclusions only detectable under magnification, they look flawless to the naked eye, providing beautiful clarity without the high price tag of a Flawless (FL) or VVS diamond.
Even our melee diamonds (small diamonds used in accents or pavé settings, such as halos) are all matched to this high clarity standard. We want you to be assured of harmony and consistency across your entire piece or set of jewellery, whether it’s a halo engagement ring or a diamond wedding band.
What diamond clarity means for you?
While clarity is an important factor, it’s also one of the most subjective of the 4Cs. Many inclusions in diamonds are so small that they have no noticeable impact on a diamond’s beauty, especially when it’s viewed with the naked eye.
When selecting a diamond, consider how clarity interacts with the other Cs (cut, colour, and carat). A slightly lower clarity grade might allow you to invest more in cut or carat size without compromising on the overall beauty of the stone.
Types of diamond imperfections - inclusions vs. blemishes
Clarity measures imperfections found within stones and those on the surface of a polished diamond.
When an imperfection is internal, it is known as an inclusion. Inclusions take many forms, including trapped minerals, which may be dark or light in colour, tiny cracks known as ‘feathers’, clusters of pinpricks or bubbles, fine ‘needles’ and even little crystals.
Blemishes are surface imperfections, such as scratches or nicks. Found on the outside of the diamond, most blemishes are a result of the cutting and polishing process, but can also be inclusions that were revealed during cutting.
Most inclusions and blemishes are so tiny that they have no significant effect on a diamond's appearance, particularly when you choose a high clarity grade.
When should you prioritise clarity?
Clarity can be a personal choice, with some people much happier to choose a slightly included stone if it means the diamond can be whiter or a better cut. However, some scenarios make choosing a higher clarity grade more important.
First is diamond size. As the carat weight - and therefore mm size - of a diamond increases, so does the size of its facets. In larger diamonds, particularly those over 1 carat, inclusions may be more noticeable. A VS grade will help ensure your diamond appears eye-clean.
Clarity can also be more important depending on the shape of your diamond. Smaller inclusions may be masked by the intense sparkle of brilliant-cut diamonds such as round or princess. On the other hand, the large, open facets of step-cut diamonds like emerald or asscher) make inclusions easier to spot. In these cases we always recommend a higher clarity grade.
When you browse our engagement ring collection, you can be confident that all styles, shapes and sizes will work perfectly in our signature clarity.
Diamond Clarity FAQs
What is the best clarity grade for engagement rings?
For most engagement rings we recommend a clarity grade of VS. Your diamond will look beautifully clear to the naked eye, without a Flawless price.
How can I tell if a diamond has inclusions?
While some inclusions may be visible to the naked eye, especially in lower clarity grades, most require magnification. We'd be happy to show you the stone under a loupe (10x magnification) to better understand its clarity. If your diamond is over 0.60ct it will also come with GIA magnification, which shows a map of the inclusions and blemishes of your specific diamond.
Do lower clarity diamonds sparkle less?
Not necessarily. As long as the clarity grade is reasonably high, cut has a bigger impact on a diamond’s sparkle than clarity does. However, large, plentiful or poorly placed inclusions can make a diamond look cloudy and/or interfere with how light moves through your diamond.
Are inclusions in a diamond bad?
Again, not always. At high clarity grades inclusions are simply part of a diamond’s personality, and do not interfere with durability or beauty. At lower grades, inclusions and blemishes can be more problematic. Some are simply visually bothersome, annoying once you’ve noticed them. Large inclusions may sometimes be weak points in a diamond, particularly if near the surface, while a diamond full of inclusions may look less bright and clear.
Why does Harper Tait only offer VS and VVS clarity?
By offering a signature quality in only VS and VVS clarity, our stones will look beautiful whatever style, shape and setting you choose. Even if you buy without seeing your stone in person, these clarity grades ensure you’ll be delighted.
As our lifetime promise asserts, we want any piece of jewellery you buy from us to be a love-forever purchase. VS and VVS stones are completely eye clean, so you’ll never see any inclusions however long and often you gaze at your stone!
