Diamond Clarity
Understanding a Diamond's Natural Purity
At Aurum Fine Diamonds, we believe that every natural diamond is unique. Just like a fingerprint, each diamond has its own natural characteristics formed deep within the Earth over billions of years. These characteristics are known as inclusions (internal features) and blemishes (surface features), and together they determine a diamond’s clarity grade.
Clarity plays an important role in how light travels through a diamond. The fewer and less noticeable the inclusions and blemishes, the more freely light can pass through the stone, enhancing its brilliance, sparkle, and overall beauty. However, many clarity characteristics are microscopic and cannot be seen without magnification.
When selecting a diamond, we recommend choosing one that is eye-clean—meaning any inclusions are not visible to the naked eye during normal viewing. This allows you to enjoy exceptional beauty without paying a premium for clarity features that are invisible in everyday wear.
While clarity grades such as SI1 and SI2 may appear very similar without magnification, the size, location, number, and type of inclusions can affect a diamond’s appearance. Inclusions positioned near the edge of the diamond are often less noticeable and may even be hidden by the jewelry setting, whereas inclusions near the center can have a greater impact on brilliance.
At Aurum Fine Diamonds, every certified natural diamond is carefully inspected by our experts to ensure it meets our quality standards. We provide transparent grading and personalized guidance, helping you choose a diamond that offers the perfect combination of beauty, brilliance, and value.
GIA Clarity Grading Scale
At Aurum Fine Diamonds, we follow internationally recognized grading standards to ensure complete transparency and confidence in every diamond you purchase. The GIA (Gemological Institute of America) Clarity Grading Scale evaluates the presence, size, location, and visibility of a diamond’s natural inclusions and surface blemishes.
The clarity grades range from Flawless (FL) to Included (I1, I2, I3), helping buyers understand a diamond’s natural characteristics and overall quality. While higher clarity grades are rarer, many diamonds with slight inclusions still appear perfectly clean to the naked eye and offer excellent value.
Rather than focusing only on the clarity grade, it is important to consider how the inclusions affect the diamond’s appearance in everyday viewing. A well-selected eye-clean diamond can provide exceptional brilliance and beauty without the premium price of a flawless stone.
At Aurum Fine Diamonds, every certified natural diamond is carefully examined to ensure it delivers the ideal balance of clarity, brilliance, and value. Our experts help you choose a diamond that looks stunning in real life while meeting the highest standards of authenticity and quality.
The Concept of Eye-Clean Diamonds
At Aurum Fine Diamonds, we believe the best diamond is one that looks flawless to the naked eye while offering outstanding value. An “eye-clean” diamond is a diamond whose natural inclusions cannot be seen without magnification when viewed from a normal distance of approximately 6–12 inches (15–30 cm).
Although GIA does not use the term eye-clean on its grading reports, it has become an important guideline for buyers seeking the perfect balance between beauty and budget. Many VS2 and SI1 clarity diamonds appear completely clean in everyday viewing, making them an excellent choice for those who want exceptional brilliance without paying the premium for a Flawless grade.
Expert Advice
How to Choose the Right Diamond Clarity
At Aurum Fine Diamonds, we recommend focusing on a diamond’s overall appearance rather than simply choosing the highest clarity grade. These expert tips can help you find the perfect balance of beauty and value.
Choose VS2 for Exceptional Quality
A VS2 clarity diamond is an excellent choice for most buyers. It typically appears eye-clean while offering outstanding brilliance and a more attractive price than higher clarity grades.
Consider SI1 for Outstanding Value
A carefully selected SI1 diamond can provide exceptional value. If the inclusions are small, light-colored, or located near the edge of the stone, they are often invisible during everyday viewing, making the diamond look flawless to the naked eye.
Look for an Eye-Clean Diamond
Instead of paying extra for microscopic perfection, choose a diamond that appears clean in normal viewing conditions. A diamond that looks flawless without magnification offers the perfect combination of beauty, performance, and value.
View the Diamond in Different Lighting
Examine a diamond under both natural and indoor lighting to appreciate its true brilliance and clarity. This provides a more accurate impression than viewing it only under bright showroom lights.
At Aurum Fine Diamonds, every certified natural diamond is carefully inspected by our experts to ensure it delivers exceptional beauty, brilliance, and value, helping you make a confident and informed purchase.
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Diamond Clarity
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Diamond Cut
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Diamond Weight
Learn how carat weight impacts a diamond's size, rarity, and value.
Diamond Clarity FAQ's
Diamond clarity measures the presence of natural internal characteristics (inclusions) and external imperfections (blemishes). Fewer and less visible imperfections generally result in a higher clarity grade and greater value.
Flawless (FL) and Internally Flawless (IF) are the highest clarity grades. However, many buyers choose VS1, VS2, or SI1 diamonds because they often appear eye-clean while offering excellent value.
An eye-clean diamond has no visible inclusions when viewed with the naked eye from a normal distance. Many VS2 and carefully selected SI1 diamonds are considered eye-clean, making them a smart choice for both beauty and budget.
Most inclusions have little to no visible impact on a diamond's brilliance. Only large or centrally located inclusions may affect the way light travels through the diamond. In most cases, microscopic inclusions cannot be seen without magnification.
For many buyers, VS2 and SI1 clarity diamonds provide the best balance of appearance, quality, and price. At Aurum Fine Diamonds, we carefully select eye-clean diamonds that deliver exceptional brilliance and outstanding value.