Most diamonds have some flaws or "inclusions" which affect their clarity, or the way that light is reflected through the stone. An "inclusion" can be a bubble, spot or line which occurred while the diamond was being formed deep in the earth, and most are not visible to the naked eye. These "inclusions" can detract from the pure beauty of the diamond. In addition to internal inclusions, surface irregularities are referred to as blemishes. These two categories of imperfections-inclusions (internal) and blemishes (external)-make up clarity. To determine a diamond's clarity, an expert views it under 10 power magnification. A jeweler will use a "loupe" or magnifying glass to see these imperfections. The less flaws a diamond has, the more valuable it is. Diamonds are graded from flawless to imperfect based on how many inclusions there are and how visible each one is. Diamonds that are absolutely clear are the most sought-after and therefore the most expensive. Contrary to popular belief, higher clarity does not always mean more beautiful. If the inclusions are not visible to the naked eye, a higher clarity does not really improve the appearance of a diamond but rather the rarity and price. A higher clarity is more desirable and valuable, but knowing that you have selected the right clarity for the right reasons is most important. We recommend a clarity of SI2 or better. The GIA and AGSL use a detailed system of standards to summarize the number, location, size, and type of inclusions present in a diamond. Below is a clarity grading scale and a brief explanation.

Fancy Colored Diamonds

Flawless - Shows no inclusions or blemishes of any sort under 10x magnification when observed by a grader.

Internally Flawless (IF) - Has no inclusions when examined by a grader using 10x magnification, but will have some minor blemishes.

Very Very Slight Inclusions (VVS1 - VVS2) - Contains minute inclusions that are difficult even for graders to see under 10x magnification.

Very Slight Inclusions (VS1 - VS2) - Contains minute inclusions such as crystals, clouds, or feathers when observed with effort under 10x magnification.

Slight Inclusions (SI1 - SI2) - Contains inclusions (clouds, crystals, knots, cavities, and feathers) that are noticable to a grader under 10x magnification.

Imperfect (I1 - I3) - Contains inclusions such as large crystals or large feathers that are obvious under 10x magnification and can be seen with the naked eye.