FL-IF
(Flawless/Internally Flawless)

VVS₁-VVS₂
(Very Very Slightly Included)

VS₁-VS₂
(Very Slightly Included)

SI₁-SI₂
(Slightly Included)

I₁-I₃
(Included)

As a diamond is shaped over millions of years by nature, small internal characteristics called ‘inclusions’ can develop, as can external characteristics called ‘blemishes’. An expert evaluating the clarity of a diamond must determine the number, size, nature and position of these characteristics.

Sadly, no diamond is perfectly pure. But the closer it comes, the higher its value.

The GIA Diamond Clarity Scale has 6 categories, which are subdivided into 11 grades.

• Flawless (FL)
  No inclusions and no blemishes visible under 10x magnification
• Internally Flawless (IF)
  No inclusions visible under 10x magnification
• Very, Very Slightly Included (VVS1 and VVS2)
  Inclusions so slight they are difficult for a skilled grader to see under 10x magnification
• Very Slightly Included (VS1 and VS2)
  Inclusions observed with effort under 10x magnification, but can be characterized as minor
• Slightly Included (SI1 and SI2)
  Inclusions noticeable under 10x magnification
• Included (I1, I2, and I3)
  Inclusions are obvious under 10x magnification, affecting transparency and brilliance

Excellent

Very Good

Good

Fair

Poor

Some people mistakenly think of a diamond’s cut as its shape. In fact, a diamond’s cut grade is really about how all its facets interact with the light. With precise workmanship, a stone is fashioned so that its facets can deliver the wondrous return of light only possible in a diamond.

Using a GIA scale that measures brightness, fire and scintillation, an expert can determine how these facets determine a diamond’s face-up appearance.

0.25ct
(4.0mm)

0.5ct
(5.0mm)

1ct
(6.5mm)

1.5ct
(7.5mm)

3ct
(9mm)

Probably the best-known of the 4 C’s. The diamond carat weight tells you how much a diamond weighs.

One metric carat is defined as 200 milligrams. Each carat can be further divided into 100 points. If the other measures are equal, a diamond’s price increases with carat weight. As you know, the larger the diamond, the more desirable it is.