Melbourne client care · Made in Surat
Clarity is the fourth C — a measure of the presence, size, number and visibility of inclusions in a diamond. This guide explains every clarity grade, what inclusions are, what eye-clean means in practice and how to choose the right clarity grade for your specific stone and budget.
Clarity describes the presence of inclusions (internal characteristics) and blemishes (surface characteristics) in a diamond. These form during the crystal growth process — geological conditions produce specific types of inclusions; laboratory growth produces different types. Both create characteristics that the IGI grades on its clarity scale.
The key insight for buyers: the clarity grade on the certificate describes what the grader sees under 10x magnification. For most engagement ring buyers, the practical question is simpler: can you see any inclusions with the naked eye in normal conditions? This is the "eye-clean" standard.
| Grade | Full Name | What It Means Under 10x | Eye-Clean? | Fenora Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FL | Flawless | No inclusions or blemishes visible | Yes — completely clean | Available — premium grade |
| IF | Internally Flawless | No inclusions visible — possible minor surface blemishes | Yes — completely clean | Available |
| VVS1 | Very Very Slightly Included 1 | Inclusions extremely difficult to see even for expert | Yes | Available |
| VVS2 | Very Very Slightly Included 2 | Inclusions very difficult to see | Yes | Available |
| VS1 | Very Slightly Included 1 | Inclusions difficult to see | Yes — reliably | Available |
| VS2 | Very Slightly Included 2 | Inclusions difficult to see | Yes — the Fenora standard recommendation | Fenora standard |
| SI1 | Slightly Included 1 | Inclusions visible at 10x, typically not to naked eye | Usually — assess individually | Available when confirmed eye-clean |
| SI2 | Slightly Included 2 | Inclusions visible at 10x, may be visible to naked eye | Sometimes — careful individual assessment | Available only when absolutely confirmed |
| I1-I3 | Included | Inclusions visible to naked eye | No | Not available at Fenora |
VS2 is the sweet spot between quality and value for most buyers. At VS2, inclusions are difficult to see even under 10x magnification — they are completely invisible to the naked eye in all normal conditions. The visual result is identical to FL or IF. The price advantage over VVS and FL grades is meaningful.
Clarity requirements differ significantly between step-cut and brilliant-cut diamonds.
| Cut Style | Clarity Requirement | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Brilliant cut (round, oval, pear, cushion) | VS2 or confirmed SI1 | Brilliant faceting breaks up inclusions — a small inclusion is much less visible in brilliant cut than in step cut |
| Step cut (emerald, asscher) | VS1 or VS2 minimum — SI1 rarely appropriate | Open, mirror-like facets make inclusions more visible than in brilliant cuts. The same SI1 inclusion that is invisible in round will be clearly visible in emerald cut |
Book a free online consultation. Yash Chandpara explains the clarity of every stone shown and confirms eye-clean status in controlled lighting on screen.
