Clarity

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Clarity

Diamonds are created deep within the Earth under intense heat and pressure. During this natural process, small imperfections can form within the crystal structure, and tiny mineral impurities may become trapped inside the stone.
The size, number, and position of these internal features determine a diamonds clarity grade. Truly flawless diamonds, without any inclusions or blemishes, are exceptionally rare.

The clarity grading scale ranges from:

  • Flawless / Internally Flawless (FL/IF)
  • Very Very Slightly Included (VVS1, VVS2)
  • Very Slightly Included (VS1, VS2)
  • Slightly Included (SI1, SI2)
  • Included (I1, I2, I3)

At CaratCrush, we only offer diamonds graded SI2 and above, as lower grades are generally not suitable for fine jewellery. In most cases, diamonds graded below VS2 may have inclusions visible to the naked eye, although this varies from stone to stone.

Expert Tip 1

For diamonds graded VS1 or higher, inclusions can only be seen under magnification. Choosing a diamond in this range is often a personal preference for superior quality, beyond what the unaided eye can detect. Larger diamonds with these higher clarity grades are rarer, command higher prices, and often perform better as long-term investments.

Expert Tip 2

While SI1 and SI2 diamonds typically contain visible inclusions, these may sometimes be light in colour or scattered, making them less noticeable. Around 20% of SI1 diamonds may appear eye-clean, compared to only 5% of SI2 diamonds.

The most common inclusions found in diamonds are feathers (tiny internal fractures) and crystals (small mineral deposits trapped within the stone).