How Do Clarity Grades Affect the Value of a Diamond?
Very few people can see a diamond’s inclusions in unless the stone in question falls within the imperfect grades(I1, I2, & I3), even then it is hard to see the inclusions with a naked eye. Based on GIA’s worldwide clarity grading system, the top clarity grade is “Flawless”. Flawless means the diamond in question is free from all blemishes and inclusions. A flawless diamond is extremely rare and most jewelers will actually never see this in their lifetimes. A colorless, “flawless” diamond with a well-proportioned cut will certainly command a premium price well above any other diamond. The clarity grade just lower than “flawless” is called “Internally Flawless” meaning the diamond is free from inclusions but could have a blemish on the surface. Internally flawless diamonds command a premium price, it’s a lot more expensive than the diamonds categorized below it. The grade below “IF” is called VVS1 and VVS2, meaning the diamonds that fall into this grading are very, very slightly included