Flawless or Internally Flawless FL/IF - The difference between the two is that Flawless diamonds (FL) are 100% flawless inside and outside, whereas internally flawless diamonds (IF) are 100% flawless from the inside but will contain surface graining on the outside, which are technically not considered a flaw, but consist in the only point of differentiation between the extremely rare Flawless clarity grade and the very rare internally flawless clarity grade. Internally Flawless and flawless diamonds define purity; these diamonds sit at the top of the clarity ladder and do not have any internal flaws which make them extremely rare and as such commands a justifiable premium.



Very very slightly included 1 VVS1 - A diamond of this clarity grade guarantees that its inclusion is invisible even with the aid of a 10x magnification loupe, which means one would need a microscope to spot any impurity in such diamonds. The type of inclusions such diamonds might have is one tiny inclusion. The inclusion is never visible to the unaided eye and can only be located using a powerful microscope. This clarity grade is almost as rare, but not quite as rare as the IF clarity, and as such is almost as highly regarded but commands less of a premium.



Very very slightly included 2 VVS2 - A diamond of this clarity grade will often guarantee that its inclusions are invisible even with the aid of a 10x magnification loupe, which means one would need a microscope to spot the inclusions VVS and above clarity graded diamonds. The type of inclusions such diamonds might have are two tiny inclusions. The inclusions are not visible to the unaided eye and can only be located using a  10x magnification loupe. This clarity grade offers a very high level of clarity that is still very rare but less expensive price than a VVS1 or an IF.

Very slightly included 1 VS1 - A diamond of this clarity grade guarantees an eye clean diamond on any certificate and any shape. In most instances, it will also be hard to spot the inclusions, even with the help of a 10x magnification loupe. The type of inclusions such diamonds might have are one small or a few very tiny inclusions. The inclusions are not visible to the unaided eye (eye clean) and can only be located, sometimes with difficulty, using a 10x magnification loupe. VS1 clarity diamonds offer an excellent choice as they do not have the same price premium as the IF and VVS categories and are a very popular choice. 



Very slightly included 2 VS2 - The type of inclusions such diamonds might have, will generally be two small or a series of tiny inclusions. The inclusions are almost always not visible to the unaided eye and can only be located using a 10x magnification loupe. VS2 clarity diamonds are an extremely popular choice as it is on paper, the last choice within the clarity range which virtually guarantees an eye clean diamond.



Slightly included 1 SI1 -A diamond of this clarity grade will almost always show visible inclusions.



Slightly included 2 SI2 - A diamond of this clarity will have easy to spot inclusions. The type of inclusions such diamonds might have, will generally be one large, two medium or many small inclusions. The inclusions may sometimes be hard to spot but will almost always be visible to the unaided eye and are easy to locate using a 10x magnification loupe.


Included I1 or lower - A diamond of this clarity grade will, by definition have visible inclusions to the naked eye.