When it comes to selecting the perfect diamond, brilliance and beauty are just the beginning.
One of the most important factors to understand is diamond clarity — a key element of the 4Cs that directly impacts a diamond’s appearance, rarity, and value.

At Tang & Co., we believe that understanding clarity empowers you to choose a diamond that reflects your story with authenticity and brilliance. Here's everything you need to know.

What is Diamond Clarity?

Diamond clarity measures the purity of a diamond by assessing the presence (or absence) of internal inclusions and external blemishes.
These natural characteristics form deep within the Earth under extreme heat and pressure, making every diamond truly unique.

The fewer and smaller the imperfections, the higher the diamond’s clarity grade — and typically, the higher its value.

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Understanding the Diamond Clarity Scale

The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) developed the industry’s most trusted clarity grading system, ranging from Flawless to Included:

Clarity grade	Meaning
Flawless (FL)	No inclusions or blemishes using 10x magnification
Internally flawless (IF)	No inclusions using 10x magnification
Very, very slightly included (VVS1 and VVS2)	Slight inclusions barely visible to a skilled diamond grader using 10x magnification
Very slightly included (VS1 and VS2)	Small inclusions ranging from difficult to somewhat easy to identify by a grader using 10x magnification
Slightly included (SI1 and SI2)	Inclusions are visible with 10x magnification
Included (I1, I2 and I3)	Obvious inclusions using 10x magnification which might affect brilliance and transparency

 

It’s important to remember that most inclusions and blemishes are not visible to the naked eye. They are typically only detectable under 10x magnification by a trained diamond grader.

Even if a diamond has inclusions visible under a jeweler’s loupe, what truly matters is whether the stone appears eye-clean — meaning no imperfections are noticeable without magnification.

At Tang&Co.., we carefully curate diamonds that meet this standard, ensuring each piece is visually stunning and true to our commitment to excellence.

How Does Clarity Affect Cost?

Clarity plays an important role in the price of a diamond — and is often a major consideration for many buyers.
Diamonds with no visible inclusions are incredibly rare, and their rarity makes them significantly more expensive.

However, finding the right balance between clarity and value is easier than you might think.
Most inclusions are microscopic and don’t affect a diamond’s beauty to the naked eye, meaning you can choose a lower clarity grade without compromising on sparkle.

For those seeking high-clarity stones at more accessible price points, lab-grown diamonds are an excellent option.
While lab-grown diamonds still feature natural inclusions, they tend to offer higher clarity grades for less — allowing you to enjoy exceptional beauty without exceeding your budget.

Does Clarity Affect a Diamond’s Sparkle?

Surprisingly, clarity does not always directly impact a diamond’s sparkle — cut is the primary factor behind brilliance.
However, heavy inclusions can obstruct light and diminish the stone’s fire.
Choosing a diamond with minimal visible inclusions ensures that nothing distracts from its natural radiance.

Eye-Clean: The Clarity That Truly Matters

When it comes to clarity, what truly counts is whether a diamond is eye-clean — meaning no imperfections are visible to the naked eye.
Unless you're a gemologist or collector, there's no need to pay a premium for microscopic flaws only visible under magnification.
Instead, we recommend investing in what you’ll actually notice: cut, sparkle, and size.

Choosing the Right Clarity for Each Shape

• Brilliant-cut diamonds (like round, oval, cushion) are excellent at hiding inclusions thanks to their intense sparkle. In many cases, a well-chosen SI1 or even SI2 stone can appear perfectly clean to the eye.

• Step-cut diamonds (such as Asscher and emerald) have open, mirror-like facets that reveal more. For these styles, we suggest choosing VS2 clarity or higher to ensure a pristine appearance.

Cut First, Clarity Later

When it comes to a diamond’s beauty, cut is everything. Even a flawless diamond will appear dull if it’s poorly cut.

A well-cut diamond, on the other hand, maximizes light reflection — giving it that unmistakable brilliance and fire.

That’s why we recommend prioritizing your budget toward cut quality and carat size, rather than chasing high clarity grades.

A beautifully cut, eye-clean diamond will always shine brighter — and leave a more lasting impression.

At Tang&Co, we hand-select each diamond with precision, prioritizing beauty and value — and always ensuring you get an eye-clean stone you’ll be proud to wear.