IF, VVS, VS, SI ... Diamond Clarity and Your Engagement Ring
This section of our Engagement Rings Buyers Guide, explains what is meant by Diamond Clarity.
We cover the following:
What is Diamond Clarity
The table below shows the diamond clarity scale. Diamonds are a natural material and therefore often have tiny marks, although in a good diamond, you would need a jewellers' loupe or a microscope to see any mark.
The chart below goes from FL (the best) to I3 (the worst). Grades of SI2 and above have marks that can't easily be seen with the naked eye.
What Clarity is suitable for Engagement Rings
For round-brilliant shaped diamonds, SI2 clarity grade is fine provided the diamond carat size is 1 carat or below. Above that size you probably want a VS grade, or better, otherwise it may be possible to see inclusions.
It's probably best to go to VS grades or better for Princess or Emerald shaped diamonds above 0.5 carats because they have wide, open, flat faces which show up inclusions.
What Clarity do 1791 Diamonds use in their Engagement Rings
We let you choose the diamond you would like in your engagement ring. That said, we only have quality diamonds in our catalogue. It's a simple decision, we want every customer to be happy, so we do not sell I grade diamonds. These have inclusions that are visible to the untrained naked eye.
Please read our Diamond Policy.
What do the Clarity Terms Mean in Detail
These terms are a little complex. A simple guide would be to buy SI grade or better (Note FL is the top).
- FL - IF Flawless/Loupe Clean. This top clarity grade includes diamonds in which inclusions cannot be seen with a loupe at 10x magnification. If a diamond has no apparent flaws under 10x magnification, then graders may use stronger magnification to detect inclusions and, if positive, assign it to a lower grade such as VVS1 for example.
- VVS (Very, Very Slightly Included). The VVS Grade is a grade where even experienced graders have extreme difficulty in finding or locating inclusions at 10x magnification. Tiny pinpoints, hairline feathers or sometimes a cluster of minute pinpoints creating a faint cloud are characteristics that would make a diamond VVS. In stones larger than 0.47ct sub grades VVS1 and VVS2 are used to differentiate between the higher and lower ends of the VVS grade.
- VS (Very Slightly Included). This grade refers to stones with inclusions that are considered minor or small in appearance. At this level, experienced graders may still have difficulty locating the inclusions, but once found they would be easily found again. In stones larger than 0.47ct, sub grades VS1 and VS2 are used to differentiate between the higher and lower ends of the VS grade.
- SI (Slightly Included). This grade includes diamonds with inclusions that are easy to find with a 10x loupe. Some inclusions in this grade may be visible to the naked eye. In stones larger than 0.47ct sub grades SI1 and SI2 are used to differentiate between the higher and lower ends of the SI grade.
- Pique/Imperfect. This grade includes jewellery-quality stones with inclusions that are immediately visible under 10x magnification and in many cases visible with the naked eye. Inclusions in this grade will seriously affect the beauty of the diamond, reducing fire, brilliance and, in some cases, the durability of the stone. Dark crystals, large fractures or numerous dark marks anywhere in the stone characterise Pique grade diamonds.
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Let's Go Shopping Engagement Rings
 Hopefully we have covered all the important things you need to know about engagement rings. If you still have any questions, please use the enquire button at the top of the page.
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