Clarity

Clarity:	Number and Size	Expert-10x loupe	Naked Eye	Influence on Brilliance
IF	no inclusions-internally flawless	nothing	nothing	none
VVS1	very very small inclusions, pin pricks	very difficult	nothing	none
VVS2	very very small inclusions, pin pricks	very difficult	nothing	none
VS1	very small, still minute	difficult to see	nothing	none
VS2	very small, still minute	difficult to see	nothing	none
SI1	tiny	easily seen	nothing	none
SI2	tiny	easily seen	nothing from top	none
I1	small	recognisable immediately	difficult to recognise	none
I2	larger and/or numerous inclusions	obvious	recognisable immediately	slight
I3	large and/or numerous	very obvious	very easily recognised	heavy influence

Clarity is an indication of a diamond's purity. It describes the degree to which a diamond is free of imperfections. The internal clarity grades range from internally flawless (IF) to fairly included (I3)or third pique (pronounced peekay) also written P3.

Flaws in diamonds may include external blemishes (from naturals and polishing defects) and internal inclusions. Most blemishes are so small as to have no affect on the beauty or brilliance of the stone. In nearly all diamonds, traces of minerals, gasses or other elements were trapped inside during the crystallization process. Inclusions look like tiny crystals, clouds, or feathers and are unique to every diamond. It is very rare to find a diamond that is completely clean to the expert eye using magnification.

The clarity of a diamond is graded by how many, how big and how visible the inclusions are, and where they are located within the diamond at 10x magnification. The fewer and smaller the inclusions, the more rare and valuable the diamond. It is very rare to find an internally flawless (IF) diamond.