HOW CLARITY AFFECTS VALUE

Minute, minor, noticeable, obvious…
These terms are used to describe the visibility of inclusions within a diamond… under 10x magnification. And since most people aren’t showing off their jewelry under jeweler’s loupe, consider what you can see with you unaided eye.

Diamonds graded VS2 and higher will all look the same to the naked eye (all other factors being the same). Diamonds graded SI1, SI2 and I1 have inclusions that you may be able to see without magnification. Within this clarity range, it is important for you to look and see for yourself because inclusions are as unique as snowflakes and everyone’s vision. Diamonds graded I2 and I3 have large inclusions that are easy to see and can affect the durability, so these should be avoided.

As with the other quality factors, value differences between each grade are most significant in higher quality diamonds. All other factors being equal, each clarity grade increment has a 20-25% price difference in a 1.00ct D-color diamond, whereas each clarity grade increment has a 10-15% price difference in a 1.00ct I-color diamond.