What is the Diamond Clarity Grade Scale? | Rare Carat

The GIA diamond clarity grading scale

The diamond clarity grade scale as determined by GIA is a way for diamond graders to communicate to consumers how many imperfections or blemishes there are in a particular diamond. It looks like this:

Qualified gemologists carefully examine each little gem in turn, locating every single tiny spot and mark and then decide where the diamond might fit within the 11 possible clarity grades on the scale. This ‘grade’ will depend on how many of these flaws they find, how big they are, and also where they are.

No imperfections at all? Well that’s ‘flawless’ (or ‘FL’ if you want to be really nerdy/awesome and use the diamond lingo). A few little blemishes? That’s ‘very slightly included’. Massive black mark in the middle of the stone like an uninvited guest at a wedding? That’ll be ‘included’.

It also goes without saying that the higher the grade, the bigger the price tag.

Don’t worry about these imperfections though, almost all diamonds are born this way, and most are invisible to the naked eye. In fact, instead of seeing them as a negative, see them as beauty marks that will save you some cash if you are savvy!

To find out how to do this though, you have to learn more. Thankfully we have you covered:

FL Clarity Diamonds

IF Clarity Diamonds

VVS1 Clarity Diamonds

VVS2 Clarity Diamonds

Diamond Clarity Grade Scale FAQs

What is the clarity grade scale and why does it matter?

The clarity grade scale is a system for communicating how many inclusions (internal features) or blemishes (surface features) a diamond has. The cleaner the stone under 10x magnification, the higher it moves on the scale—from FL (Flawless) down to I3 (Included) in the GIA system.

How many clarity grades are there, and how are they grouped?

The full scale has 11 individual grades, but these are typically grouped into six broader categories: FL, IF, VVS1–2, VS1–2, SI1–2 and I1–3. This helps buyers and sellers talk more easily about clarity without getting bogged down in finer detail.

Does higher clarity always mean dramatically different appearance?

Not always. Once a diamond is “eye clean”—meaning no visible flaws to the unaided eye—the jump from one high clarity grade to the next may not produce a visibly dramatic change. That means clarity is important, but you also need to weigh other qualities like cut and color.

Which clarity grades tend to deliver the best value for typical buyers?

Many buyers find that diamonds rated VS1/VS2 or even SI1 can offer an “eye-clean” appearance at a much better value than the absolute top clarity grades. In those cases, you get strong visual quality without paying a premium for perfection.

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Dr. Rian Mulcahy

Rian is officially a Diamond PhD - just ping us if you’d like to read her fascinating 200-page thesis, titled Facets of Value: An Investigation into the Formation of Worth in the Diamond Market. She has consulted various firms all along the pipeline, from the rough diamond market to the recycled diamond industry. She holds an MA in Globalisation and Development from University College Cork and a PhD in the Sociology of Diamond Valuation from the London School of Economics.