It's all about transparency
Diamond Clarity is a way to measure the level of tiny imperfections that exist within almost all diamonds except the very finest. Most imperfections within a quality diamond will remain microscopic because you rarely look into a diamond with a microscope, but if there are too many it can affect the diamond’s apparent color rating and the way light escapes to give the stone its brilliance.
To many, a diamond’s clarity is the easiest to understand and see visually what determines the rating. Gemologists may describe these imperfections as inclusions, blemishes, or clarity characteristics.
Diamond Clarity
Flawless (FL)
No internal or external imperfections on or in the diamond. Extraordinarily rare.
Internally Flawless (IF)
No internal imperfections found within the diamond. This level of rating is very rare.
Very, Very Slightly Included (VVS1/VVS2)
Nearly colorless to the naked eye and are difficult to determine color without setting them side by side with lower and higher graded stones.
Very Slightly Included (VS1/VS2)
Inclusions are generally not visible to the eye without some magnification.
Slightly Included (SI1/SI2)
Imperfections are visible without 10x magnification. In some cases, they are visible to the naked eye, depending on placement and size. The greatest price drop occurs between SI1 to the VS range of clarity.
Included (I1)
Inclusions visible to the naked eye. The scale continues down towards I2 / I3, but we do not generally carry these at Mark Peter's Diamond Designs or suggest them for our buyers.
*K – Z
Diamonds graded below K are not generally carried at Mark Peter's Diamond Designs.
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