A diamond clarity chart refers to the inclusions, or flaws, within the stone. All Diamonds have natural imperfections called inclusions. These minerals or crystals trapped inside the stone determine the clarity of the stone. The GIA has established diamond clarity grades as viewed through a 10-power loupe or magnifying glass. When viewed with the naked eye, the flaws are not visible in any diamond with a clarity grade of SI2 or higher. Nearly all stones have characteristic inclusions (“birthmarks”), which make them unique and identifiable. These imperfections are graded accordingly and these also determine their value.
The following categories describe the clarity grades of a diamond:
- Flawless (FL) and Internally Flawless (IF)
- Very Very Slightly Included (VVS1 and VVS2
- Very Slightly Included (VS1 and VS2)
- Slightly Included (SI1 and SI2)
- Included (I1, I2 and I3)
