CLARITY, What's GOOD and What's NOT

CLARITY
Here is a brief summary,

When Purchasing a VVS1 or VVS2, You're in the safe zone. Chances are you're not going to be able to find anything with the trained eye even with more than a x10 loupe!The danger comes when purchasing a VS1-VS2. let's not talk about SI and below, I always feel as a consumer you should keep to VS2 as the minimum, especially as a proposal ring. SI and below is alright as earrings and pendants.VS1-VS2 also gives the greatest value for money. The price drops quite drastically in this region and if you're able to find a good one, 3 cheers for you! In this category, the degree of inclusions varies ALOT.
From really good ones to horrible VS2s that look so much similar to a SI grade. Finding the best one will help you save a ton of money, and of course a much cleaner diamond:)


On Your Certificate you will find the Type of inclusion here.

There are many different kinds, and i will go from the best to the worst. I'll rank it from 1-10, 1 being the worst, 10 being the best

1.) Crystals, Needles, Clouds, PinPoints(Good, nothing to worry)


Crystals are more or less, small diamonds which are trapped in your diamond. They come as white or black pinpoints. Some people feel black crystals are "bad luck", Some feel the dark black spot is annoying. So best when looking out to purchase a diamond which writes any of the above, check to see if it is white or black. White being better of course!

Crystals can come as:

Pinpoint 9/10 - Probably the best that a diamond inclusion can get, most of the time it comes as a white tiny little dot which is hardly visible even under a microscope

Cloud 9/10 - Tiny several pinpoints make up a cloud inclusion. Sometimes a cloud can cover quite a large portion, but when looking at VVS1-VS2, chances are you will hardly notice it as well. But just in case check with your jeweler(if you're purchasing a VS2) where the cloud inclusion is, if it is a small portion, you're good to go, if it covers 1/3 of the diamond and is extremely noticeable you might want to take a pass!
Crystal 8/10 - As above

Needle 8/10 - Is a long thin diamond crystal, in most cases comes as white in color. Nothing much to worry about

2.) Chips
As the word describes it, chips are chipped off areas in a diamond. May vary alot in degree and should be taken into account if purchasing a VS2. Make sure that the chip is not along the girdle or near the culet. If not over time your diamond may be prone to being damaged, and will require repolishing, causing a significant loss in weight of the diamond!

Chips 6/10

3.) Feathers



Feathers are "cracks" / "Lines" / "fractures". Feathers are dangerous when considering a VS1-VS2. Always make sure the feather is not located near the girdle or the your diamond may be prone to being damaged.

Feathers- 3/10(Positioned at girdle) 7/10(Positioned closer towards the centre)

4.) Surface / Internal graining

As the name suggests, These are caused by a change in direction of the grains in a diamond to create an extremely faint series of lines.

Nothing to worry about these. Sometimes it m Nay be stated as "Surface/Internal graining is not shown" Not to be alarmed. These kind of inclusions are only visible to some people, under high magnification and when viewed from certain angles. The degree of such inclusions can be quite drastic sometimes. If it stretches over a large portion of the diamond, you might want to think twice!

Surface/Internal Graining - 8/10

In Conclusion, Try your best to keep your Purchases to VVS1-VS2. IF(Internal Flawless) is quite unecessary, due to the fact there is such a HUGE price jump and is so similar to a VVS1.

VS1-VS2 makes the best buys, but you need to be wary and ask your jeweler to show you the degree of the inclusions and the type.

VVS1-VVS2 may be bought safely without worrying about the degree of inclusions.