Diamond clarity is one of the 4 Cs, but it's the most misunderstood. Many buyers worry about clarity more than they need to — and end up spending extra for a grade that makes no visible difference to the naked eye.
What Is Diamond Clarity?
Diamond clarity measures the absence of internal flaws (inclusions) and surface imperfections (blemishes). The GIA clarity scale ranges from Flawless (no inclusions visible under 10x magnification) to Included (inclusions visible to the naked eye).
Clarity Grades Explained
FL / IF: No inclusions visible under 10x. Extremely rare and expensive.
VVS1 / VVS2: Inclusions extremely difficult to see under 10x. High-end.
VS1 / VS2: Inclusions visible under 10x but not to the naked eye. The sweet spot for engagement rings.
SI1 / SI2: Inclusions noticeable under 10x, may be visible to naked eye in larger stones. Great value under 1.5ct.
I1 / I2 / I3: Inclusions visible to naked eye. Not recommended for engagement rings.
Where to Save vs. Splurge
For engagement rings, VS2 is the recommended sweet spot — it's eye-clean, secure, and well below VVS pricing. For diamonds under 1 carat, SI1 is often eye-clean. For diamonds over 2 carats, consider VS1 since inclusions are more visible in larger stones. All Lara Jewels diamonds are IGI or GIA certified with full clarity documentation.
Shop certified diamonds at larajewels.com.
