Clarity

Few things in nature are
absolutely perfect. That is as true of
diamonds as anything else.

Diamonds have internal features called inclusions, and surface irregularities called blemishes. The clarity characteristic of a diamond is determined by the relative absence of inclusions and blemishes.

The Federal Trade Commission guidelines prohibit use of the term "flawless" or "perfect" to describe any diamond that doesn't fit the description.

Diamond clarity characteristics are defined as follows:

Flawless FL
Flawless
Internally Flawless IF
Internally
Flawless
Very Very Slightly Included VVS1-VVS2
Very Very
Slightly Included
Very Slightly Included VS1-VS2
Very Slightly
Included
Slightly Included SI1-SI2-SI3
Slightly
Included
Imperfect Eye-visible I1-I2-I3
Imperfect
Eye-visible
  • Internally Flawless (IF): No inclusions and only minor blemishes visible under 10x magnification.
  • Very Slightly Included (VVS1-VVS2): Minute inclusions that are extremely difficult (VVS1) or very difficult (VVS2) to see under 10 x magnification.
  • Very Slightly Included (VS1-VS2): Minor inclusions that are fairly difficult (VS1) or fairly easy (VS2) to see under 10x magnification.
  • Slightly Included (SI1-SI2-SI3): Noticeable inclusions that are easy (SI1) or very easy (SI2) to see under 10x magnification. A small percentage of diamonds have inclusions that can be seen without magnification (SI3), but have little effect on appearance.
  • Included (I1-I2-I3): Significant inclusions that are usually visible (I1), easily visible (I2), or obvious (I3) without magnification. I2 diamonds may affect durability. I3 inclusions pose a definite threat to a diamond's lasting power.