Gem clarity is an important factor used to evaluate the quality and
value of a gemstone. A perfect stone with perfect clarity or clearness
is rare. Gemstone clarity grading has become increasingly important for the sales of gemstones and gemstone jewelry via the internet where customers cannot see the gemstones in person.
Minute, under table, little to no effect on appearance
MI1
MI1
VS
Very Slightly Included
-NOTICEABLE to Obvious
7
Minor, not under table, little to no effect on appearance
MI2
MI2
SI1
Slightly Included - Noticeable
to OBVIOUS
6
Minor, under table, slight effect on appearance, little to no effect
on brilliance
HI1
MI3
SI2
Slightly Included 2 - Obvious
to Prominent
5
Obvious, not under table, slight effect on appearance and brilliance
HI2
VI1
I1
Included 1 - Prominent -
moderate effect on appearance or durability
4
Obvious, under table, significant effect on appearance and
brilliance, slight effect on transparency.
EI1
VI2
I2
Included 2 - Prominent -
severe effect on appearance & durability
3
Prominent (draws the eye), under table, significant effect on
appearance and brilliance and transparency
EI2
H1
I3
Included 3 - Prominent -
severe effect on beauty, transparency & durability
2
Numerous and Prominent throughout gem, severe effect on appearance,
brilliance, transparency, and durability.
EI3
H2
Declasse
Not transparent
1
Numerous and Prominent throughout, gem not transparent, shows no
brilliance.
GIA Clarity Grades Chart
Grades
Type I
Type II
Type III
VVS
Very Very Slightly Included - Minute to not detectable Minute inclusions, difficult to see under
10X. Eye clean.
Very Very Slightly Included - Minor inclusions Minor inclusions, somewhat easy to see
with 10X. Usually eye clean.
Very Very Slightly Included - Noticeable to obvious Noticeable inclusions under 10X. Usually
eye clean.
VS
Very Slightly Included - minor Minor inclusions, somewhat easy to see
with 10X. Usually eye clean.
Very Slightly Included - Noticeable to Obvious Noticeable inclusions under 10X. May be
eye visible.
Very Slightly Included - Noticeable to obvious Obvious inclusions with 10X. May be eye
visible.
SI1
Slightly Included - Noticeable to obvious Easily noticeable with 10X. Slightly
visible to the unaided eye. Usually low relief.
Slightly Included - Noticeable to obvious Obvious inclusions, large or numerous
under 10X. Apparent to unaided eye.
Slightly Included - Obvious to prominent Prominent to unaided eye.
SI2
Slightly Included 2 - Obvious to noticeable Easily visible to the unaided eye. Usually
low relief.
Slightly Included 2 - Obvious to prominent Obvious inclusions, large or numerous
under 10X. Very apparent to unaided eye.
Slightly Included 2 - Obvious to prominent Very prominent to unaided eye.
I1
Included 1 - Prominent - moderate effect on appearance or durability Moderate effect on appearance or
durability.
Included 1 - Prominent Moderate effect on appearance or
durability.
Included 1 - Prominent Moderate effect on appearance or
durability.
I2
Included 2 - Prominent Severe effect on appearance or durability.
Included 2 - Prominent Severe effect on appearance or durability.
Included 2 - Prominent Severe effect on appearance or durability.
I3
Included 3 - Prominent Severe effect on both appearance and
durability.
Included 3 - Prominent Severe effect on both appearance and
durability.
Included 3 - Prominent Severe effect on both appearance and
durability.
Dcl
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Not transparent Stones not transparent because of inclusions
Type 1 Gemstones are gemstones that are normally found
to be clean.
Type 2 Colored Gemstones by their nature have natural
inclusions.
Type 3 Colored Gemstones by their nature have many
natural inclusions. (Heavily Included is the norm)
GIA Gemstone Clarity Types
Type I
Usually eye clean
Type II
Usually included
Type III
Almost always included
Aquamarine
Chrysoberyl, yellow and green
Heliodore
Morganite
Quartz, smoky
Spodumene, all
Tanzanite
Tourmaline, green
Zircon, blue Diamond
Andalusite
Alexandrite
Corundum, all
Garnet, all
Iolite
Peridot
Quartz, amethyst, citrine, ametrine
Spinel, all
Tourmaline, all but green, red and watermelon
Zircon, all but blue
Emerald, Red Beryl,
Tourmaline: red and watermelon