Diamond Clarity Comparison

Which Diamond Clarity is Best?

If you’re buying a diamond for the first time, you may not have considered clarity.

When people go out to purchase a diamond, they consider a lot of things – the style, the size, etc. But, they often overlook clarity.

In reality, it’s very important. Clarity is a big factor in the quality and price of a precious stone.

The best diamond clarity grade is Flawless (FL). If a diamond receives this grade, it’s perfect. Flawless diamonds have no blemishes or “inclusions” (debris, etc) inside of them. Less than 1% of diamonds receive this grade.

The lowest clarity grade is Heavily-Included (I2 or I3). This grade is given to rings that are murky due to rocks and debris inside. While these rings still look beautiful, they aren’t as valuable as clearer rings.

In between FL and I2/I3, there are 5 other grades. Each of these denotes how many inclusions a ring has in it.

What Color and Clarity is Good for a Diamond?

It doesn’t get better than a Flawless (FL) rating. This grade signifies that a diamond is one of the best in the world.

Of course, most people aren’t lucky enough to get their hands on a diamond like that.

So, most people opt for diamonds with one of the following ratings (in order from highest to lowest quality):

  • Very Very Slightly Included (VVS)
  • Very Slightly Included (VS)
  • Slightly Included (SI1 or SI2)
  • Included (I1)
  • Heavily Included (I2 or I3)
  • The best type depends on your taste and budget. If you don’t mind a less than perfect stone, for example, you can find an affordable I2 or I3 diamond for less than $1k.

    If you want a clearer, nearly colorless diamond, on the other hand, you’ll want something closer to the VVS or IF level. However, you should definitely expect to pay for the quality.

    Is VS2 Clarity Good?

    VS2 clarity is a good grade for a diamond. As this rating is on the higher end of the spectrum, these diamonds are pretty pricey.

    And they look amazing, too. Diamonds get this grade if they look clear to the naked eye. However, they show minor inclusions when viewed under a strong microscope.

    So, most people can’t tell the difference between a VS2 diamond and a flawless one. Professional jewelers are really the only people who can differentiate them.

    VS1 or VS2: Which Clarity is Better?

    VS1 is a better clarity grade than VS2. While most people can’t tell the difference without looking under a microscope, VS1s have fewer inclusions in them.

    When you’re thinking about diamond clarity, keep this in mind:

    1 is always better than 2.

    A VS1 diamond is clearer than VS2. An I1 diamond is clearer than an I2 or I3.

    If clarity is important to you, always look for a 1 instead of a 2.