What Is the Best Clarity for a Diamond?

Jun 07 2025 0 comments

When buying a diamond, clarity is a term you'll see often, but what does it mean, and what is the best clarity for a diamond? Simply put, clarity measures how “clean” a diamond is from natural imperfections, and it plays a key role in both sparkle and price.

At KRK Jewels, we believe in educating our customers so you can choose a diamond that's stunning, smart, and suited to your budget.

What Is Diamond Clarity?

Diamond clarity refers to the number, size, type, and position of internal inclusions and external blemishes. These are natural and occur during a diamond’s formation process (4Cs). The GIA (Gemological Institute of America) grades diamonds on a clarity scale ranging from Flawless (FL) to Included (I3).

Diamond Clarity Chart – Best to Worst

This chart shows each clarity grade and how it affects your diamond's appearance and value.

Clarity Grade	Meaning	Visible Inclusions?	Ideal For
FL (Flawless)	No inclusions or blemishes	No, even under 10x	Investors, collectors, high-luxury buyers
IF (Internally Flawless)	Only minor surface blemishes	No	Luxury buyers, statement solitaire diamonds
VVS1 & VVS2	Very, very slight inclusions	Nearly impossible to spot	Heirloom pieces, classic engagement rings
VS1 & VS2	Very slight inclusions	Invisible to the naked eye	Best balance of price and appearance
SI1	Slight inclusions	Hard to detect	Budget-conscious buyers who want sparkle
SI2	Noticeable under magnification	Sometimes visible	Smaller carat stones, hidden-halo designs
I1, I2, I3	Obvious inclusions	Yes	Not recommended for engagement jewelry

What Clarity Diamond Is Best?

The best clarity for a diamond depends on your purpose, budget, and ring size. Here’s a breakdown:

Purpose	Recommended Clarity	Why?
Engagement Ring (Under 1.5ct)	VS2 or SI1	Eye-clean with excellent value
Engagement Ring (Over 2ct)	VS1 or higher	Larger stones reveal flaws more easily—go for near-perfect
Luxury, Investment, Heirloom	FL or IF	Absolute top-tier clarity, exceptional rarity
Statement Fashion Jewelry	SI1 or VS2	Budget-friendly and visually brilliant for daily wear

What is VS2 Clarity in a Diamond?

VS2 (Very Slightly Included 2) is one of the most popular choices. It offers:

Minimal inclusions are visible only under magnification
Clean appearance to the naked eye
Great balance of price and beauty

At KRK Jewels, VS2 clarity diamonds are our most recommended for buyers who want brilliance without overpaying for invisible perfection.

How Does Diamond Clarity Affect Price?

Diamond clarity plays a significant role in pricing, but it's just one part of the equation. Two diamonds of the same carat, cut, and color can have drastically different prices based on clarity alone.

Here’s how clarity impacts price:

Clarity Grade	Estimated Price Impact (Compared to SI1)	Description
FL	+40% to +60%	Ultra rare and flawless under magnification
IF	+30% to +50%	Internally perfect, nearly flawless
VVS1 / VVS2	+20% to +40%	Microscopic inclusions, luxury tier
VS1 / VS2	Baseline to +15%	Eye-clean with excellent price-to-clarity ratio
SI1	Baseline (Reference)	Best balance of price and appearance
SI2	–10% to –20%	May show flaws under close inspection
I1 / I2 / I3	–30% to –60%	Obvious flaws, reduced brilliance

Key Takeaway:
You don’t need to buy flawless diamonds to get stunning brilliance. A VS2 or SI1 diamond often looks identical to a flawless one to the naked eye, at a fraction of the cost.

At KRK Jewels, we help you find the sweet spot: a diamond with eye-clean clarity and the best value for your budget.

What Is the Highest Clarity Diamond?

The highest clarity diamond is FL (Flawless). It has zero inclusions or blemishes under 10x magnification. These are extremely rare and come with a high price tag—ideal for collectors or once-in-a-lifetime pieces.

What Is the Best Clarity for a Diamond

What is I2 Diamond Clarity?

I2 clarity diamonds have obvious inclusions that are visible without magnification. These flaws can impact both the appearance and structural integrity. We do not recommend I2 clarity for engagement rings or solitaire settings unless the budget is extremely limited.

Diamond Clarity Grades: From Most to Least Rare

Rank	Clarity Grade	Rarity	Eye Clean?
1	FL	Extremely rare	Yes
2	IF	Very rare	Yes
3	VVS1, VVS2	Rare	Yes
4	VS1, VS2	Common, desirable	Yes
5	SI1	Common, budget-smart	Sometimes
6	SI2	Common	Often not
7	I1, I2, I3	Very common	No

Conclusion: What Clarity Should You Choose?

Choose VS2 or VS1 if you want an eye-clean, elegant diamond at a smart price.
Choose VVS or IF if you’re gifting or investing in something truly luxurious.
Choose SI1 only if you’re working with a tighter budget, especially for diamonds under 1 carat.

At KRK Jewels, we offer a wide range of diamonds from VS2 to FL, with certification and quality you can trust. Every diamond we sell is carefully selected to ensure brilliance and value, so you can wear your story with pride.