Diamond Clarity Grades

Clarity is determined by the number and size of naturally occurring imperfections present in a diamond, often called inclusions. Inclusions interfere with how the light is dispersed and therefore affect the brilliance of a diamond. These impurities are often called feathers, pin points, or crystals, which are the most common form found. The scale below illustrates the range of clarity available in diamonds. The better the clarity the more valuable the diamond. Most impurities cannot be seen through the naked eye and will require magnification, particularly those in a VS1 diamond or higher. However most high-street jewelers will offer pieces with diamonds of a SI2 to VS1 grading as these offer a good balance of value and quality.