CLARITY

Believe it or not, most diamonds have tiny birthmarks. Called “inclusions,” they determine how clear, or pure, a diamond is. Inclusions at the upper end of the scale cannot be seen without magnification. (This is one reason jewelers use loupes.) The fewer and smaller the inclusions, the clearer, rarer and more valuable the diamond.

The scale for grading clarity ranges from internally flawless to imperfect (IF to I1, I2 and I3).

In order of decreasing clarity, the clarities range from :

IF                          - Internally flawless

VVS1, VVS2         - very, very small inclusions, category 1 and 2 

VS1, VS2              - very small inclusions, category 1 and 2

SI1, SI2, SI3         - slightly included, category 1, 2, and 3
                                      

The naked eye can usually spot inclusions in the included, or imperfect grouping (I1, I2, I3).

Though Mervis Diamond Importers has diamonds of all clarities, we emphasize those at the upper end of the scale.

Learn about Diamond Cut
Learn about Diamond Color
Learn about Diamond Carat Weight