{"id":167,"date":"2026-08-04T17:12:47","date_gmt":"2026-08-04T17:12:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/maisonfacelis.com\/journal\/?p=167"},"modified":"2026-08-04T17:12:48","modified_gmt":"2026-08-04T17:12:48","slug":"diamond-clarity-explained","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/maisonfacelis.com\/journal\/2026\/08\/04\/diamond-clarity-explained\/","title":{"rendered":"Diamond Clarity Explained"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Diamond clarity describes the natural characteristics found inside or on the surface of a diamond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Almost every natural diamond contains some form of inclusion or blemish. These features were created during the diamond\u2019s formation or introduced during cutting and polishing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Understanding clarity can help you avoid overpaying for microscopic perfection that may not be visible in everyday wear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Are Inclusions?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Inclusions are characteristics located inside the diamond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Common examples include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Crystals<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Feathers<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Clouds<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Needles<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Pinpoints<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Twinning wisps<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Internal graining<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some inclusions are tiny and difficult to locate even under magnification. Others may affect transparency, appearance, or durability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The type of inclusion matters, but its size, number, position, colour, and visibility are also important.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Are Blemishes?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Blemishes are surface characteristics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Examples may include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Scratches<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Polish marks<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Extra facets<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Abrasions<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Naturals<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Surface graining<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Minor blemishes are often difficult to see without magnification and may have little effect on beauty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Understanding Clarity Grades<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Common laboratory clarity grades include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Flawless<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No inclusions or blemishes are visible under standard magnification to a skilled grader.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Internally Flawless<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No inclusions are visible, although minor surface blemishes may be present.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Very Very Slightly Included<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Inclusions are extremely difficult or very difficult to detect under magnification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This category includes VVS1 and VVS2.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Very Slightly Included<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Minor inclusions are visible under magnification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This category includes VS1 and VS2. Many VS diamonds appear completely clean without magnification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Slightly Included<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Noticeable inclusions are present under magnification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This category includes SI1 and SI2. Some SI diamonds are eye-clean, while others have visible inclusions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Included<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Inclusions may be obvious and can sometimes affect appearance, transparency, or durability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This category includes I1, I2, and I3.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Does Eye-Clean Mean?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">An eye-clean diamond has no inclusions that are easily visible without magnification under normal viewing conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, there is no single universal definition. Visibility can depend on:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Viewing distance<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Lighting<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Eyesight<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Diamond size<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Diamond shape<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Inclusion position<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A diamond may look clean from the top but show an inclusion from the side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For many buyers, an eye-clean diamond offers better value than a higher grade with inclusions that are equally invisible during everyday wear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why Inclusion Position Matters<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">An inclusion near the edge of a diamond may be hidden by a prong. However, certain feathers near the edge may raise durability concerns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">An inclusion directly beneath the table may be easier to see because the table is the largest facet on the top of the diamond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dark inclusions may be more noticeable than white or transparent inclusions, even when they receive a similar clarity grade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Clarity and Diamond Shape<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Brilliant-cut diamonds, such as round, cushion, oval, and pear shapes, can hide some inclusions through their sparkle and facet patterns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Step-cut diamonds, such as emerald and Asscher cuts, have broad, open facets. Their interior is easier to see, so buyers often prefer higher clarity grades for these shapes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Larger diamonds may also require higher clarity because inclusions can become easier to notice as the stone increases in size.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Should You Buy the Highest Clarity Grade?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Flawless and Internally Flawless diamonds are rare, but their clarity advantage is usually not visible without magnification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For many jewellery buyers, VS1, VS2, or a carefully selected SI1 diamond can provide an eye-clean appearance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The best clarity grade is often the lowest grade that still looks clean and does not present durability concerns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Final Thoughts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Clarity should be evaluated by more than the grade printed on a report.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Look at the inclusion type, size, position, colour, and visibility. Use magnified images to understand the stone, but remember that diamonds are normally viewed without magnification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Choosing an eye-clean diamond can allow you to invest more of your budget in cut quality, size, or the setting while still enjoying a beautiful appearance.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Diamond clarity describes the natural characteristics found inside or on the surface of a diamond. Almost every natural diamond contains [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[26],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-167","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-diamond-education"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/maisonfacelis.com\/journal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/167","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/maisonfacelis.com\/journal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/maisonfacelis.com\/journal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maisonfacelis.com\/journal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maisonfacelis.com\/journal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=167"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/maisonfacelis.com\/journal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/167\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":168,"href":"https:\/\/maisonfacelis.com\/journal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/167\/revisions\/168"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/maisonfacelis.com\/journal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=167"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maisonfacelis.com\/journal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=167"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/maisonfacelis.com\/journal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=167"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}