The Best Clarity for a Diamond: What You Need to Know.

When shopping for diamond jewelry, plenty of questions come to mind. Do you go for a vintage-inspired emerald cut? Or maybe a classic round brilliant cut? While you’ve likely already thought about the shape, cut, and carat weight, one crucial factor many people don’t consider is a diamond’s clarity. Clarity can significantly impact both the appearance and price of a diamond, and understanding how it fits into your decision-making process is essential to find the perfect stone for you.

What Is Diamond Clarity?

Diamond clarity refers to the presence (or absence) of imperfections inside or on the surface of the diamond. These imperfections are known as inclusions (internal flaws) and blemishes (external flaws), and they can influence how light reflects through the diamond, which ultimately affects that signature sparkle.

At Coffin and Trout, we follow the Gemological Institute of America’s (GIA) diamond clarity scale. Our expert jewelers examine each diamond under 10x magnification, identify any imperfections, and assign one of 11 ratings.

Flawless (FL): No visible inclusions or blemishes, even under 10x magnification.

Internally Flawless (IF): No inclusions, only minor surface blemishes visible under 10x magnification.

Very Very Slightly Included (VVS1 and VVS2): Extremely small inclusions that are difficult for a skilled grader to spot under magnification.

Very Slightly Included (VS1 and VS2): Small inclusions, visible with effort under magnification.

Slightly Included (SI1 and SI2): Noticeable inclusions under magnification, possibly visible to the naked eye.

Included (I1, I2, I3): Inclusions are visible under magnification and, in most cases, to the naked eye.

What’s the Best Clarity?

A flawless diamond may be the “best,” but the right clarity ultimately depends on your preferences and budget. In jewelry stores, you’ll usually find diamonds that fall between VS and SI on the clarity rating scale. Diamonds in this range typically appear “eye-clean” (flawless to the naked eye), but they come at a more accessible price. If absolute perfection is what you’re after, Flawless (FL) or Internally Flawless (IF) diamonds are the ultimate choice, though they do come at a premium price tag.

How Does Clarity Impact Jewelry Design?

Clarity not only influences a diamond’s appearance and value. It can also impact the type of jewelry a diamond is best suited for. For example, diamonds on engagement rings are typically the focal point and frequently viewed up close, so higher-clarity grades, such as VS2 and above, are often preferred to ensure maximum brilliance and minimize visible imperfections.

For everyday jewelry, slightly lower clarity grades offer the beauty and luxury of a diamond at a more accessible price. These diamonds still sparkle beautifully, and the minor inclusions or blemishes are often less of a concern for casual wear.

In both cases, the “right” clarity is the best balance between appearance and budget according to your needs.

Diamonds at Coffin and Trout

Clarity and the other Four Cs are crucial when selecting a diamond, but we understand that sometimes the perfect stone is about more than just the numbers. Even two equally graded diamonds have their own personalities, and we’re here to help you find the stone that speaks to you.

Discover some of our favorite diamond pieces, or come by our showroom, where we can help you create a custom diamond piece.