What’s the Best Clarity for a Diamond?

The best clarity for a diamond isn’t Flawless or VVS, it’s eye-clean. That means no visible imperfections to the naked eye, even if there are minor inclusions under magnification. For most buyers, VS1 or VS2 offers the perfect balance of beauty, sparkle, and value.

Let’s break that down:

• Clarity refers to internal flaws (inclusions) and surface marks (blemishes).
• VS1–VS2 diamonds are almost always eye-clean without the Flawless price tag.
• Step cuts (like emerald) need higher clarity; brilliant cuts hide flaws better.
• SI1 can be a great choice if inclusions are small or hidden by prongs.
• Cut affects sparkle far more than clarity, don’t let marketing fool you.

At Mikado Diamonds, we’ve helped hundreds of couples choose stunning diamonds that look flawless, without wasting money on invisible specs. You’ll get expert, pressure-free guidance to find a clarity grade that fits both your eye and your budget.

Keep reading to learn how to make a smarter, clearer choice.

Diamond Clarity Explained in Plain English

Clarity is one of the 4Cs of diamonds, and easily the most misunderstood. In plain terms, clarity refers to the number, size, location, and type of internal “inclusions” (natural imperfections) and external “blemishes” a diamond has. 

Most of these are microscopic and have zero impact on how beautiful the diamond looks in real life.

The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) grades clarity on a scale from Flawless (FL) to Included (I3). Here’s how it breaks down:

• Flawless (FL): No inclusions or blemishes visible under 10x magnification. Extremely rare.
• Internally Flawless (IF): No internal inclusions, but may have surface blemishes. Still looks identical to FL without a microscope.
• Very Very Slightly Included (VVS1 & VVS2): Inclusions so tiny they’re tough to spot even under magnification.
• Very Slightly Included (VS1 & VS2): Minor inclusions visible under 10x, often totally invisible to the naked eye.
• Slightly Included (SI1 & SI2): Inclusions are more noticeable under magnification. Some may be eye-visible, depending on size and placement.
• Included (I1–I3): Inclusions are obvious and may affect brilliance and durability.

Most people aren’t walking around with a jeweler’s loupe. What matters is whether a diamond looks “eye-clean”, meaning no visible flaws to the naked eye once it’s set in a ring. 

You could have an SI1 diamond that looks flawless from a normal viewing distance, and a VVS1 that doesn’t sparkle nearly as much because of a subpar cut.

Why “Best” Isn’t Always the Highest Grade

If you’ve been told that Flawless (FL) or Internally Flawless (IF) diamonds are the “best,” that’s only technically true on paper. 

Yes, FL diamonds are free from any imperfections visible under 10x magnification, and IF diamonds are nearly as clean. But unless you’re a gemologist or proposing under a microscope, you’ll never notice the difference.

So why are FL and IF diamonds priced so much higher? Simple: rarity. 

Not beauty. Not performance. Just the rarity. And while rarity might matter to collectors or investors, it rarely matters to the person who’s going to wear the ring every day. For most buyers, the premium you’d pay for FL or IF could be better spent on a larger carat, better cut, or a setting that makes the diamond pop.

Here’s what actually matters. Is the diamond eye-clean?

That means when you look at it without magnification, on a hand, in everyday lighting, it looks clean and brilliant. You’re not going to see a tiny pinpoint under the table or a feather near the girdle. 

And if the inclusion is strategically placed under a prong or near the edge? Even better.

I’ve seen SI1 diamonds with inclusions tucked under prongs that looked identical to VVS1s once set, but cost thousands less. That’s not cutting corners. That’s smart buying.

The “best” clarity isn’t the highest on the chart. It’s the one that looks amazing, fits your budget, and doesn’t waste a dime on specs no one will ever notice.

VS1–VS2: Where Beauty Meets Budget

When customers ask me what clarity grade gives them the best bang for their buck, my answer is almost always the same: VS1 or VS2. 

These grades strike that perfect balance between visual beauty and smart spending. They’re almost always eye-clean, especially in brilliant cuts, and they don’t carry the steep premiums of higher grades.

VS2 is especially ideal for brilliant-cut diamonds, like round, oval, and radiant, because these shapes are better at hiding tiny inclusions with their facet patterns and fire. Unless you're specifically searching with a loupe, it’s nearly impossible to spot a flaw in a well-cut VS2.

VS1 is your go-to if you're eyeing a step cut like emerald or Asscher. 

These shapes have wide, open facets that act like windows, making inclusions easier to see. In those cases, VS1 gives you a little extra peace of mind without climbing into unnecessary VVS or IF territory.

And don’t count out SI1, either. In the right diamond, especially one with a great cut and smart prong placement, an SI1 can look just as clean as a VS1 to the naked eye. The key is knowing how to inspect the diamond (or working with someone who does).

Here’s the kind of trade-off I see every day: a 1.5-carat VS2 round might cost $8,000, while a 1.5-carat VVS1 of the same cut, color, and carat can run $10,000 or more. And guess what? They look the same once set.

When to Prioritize Clarity 

Not all diamonds are created equal when it comes to hiding or exposing inclusions. Your clarity “sweet spot” depends on more than just the grade on a certificate; it’s about shape, size, and setting.

Diamond Shape & Cut

Step cuts like emerald and Asscher are honesty tests for clarity. With their broad, open tables and clean lines, they act like magnifying glasses. If there’s an inclusion, they won’t hide it. That’s why I recommend VS1 or better for these cuts; anything less can show.

In contrast, brilliant cuts, such as round, oval, cushion, and radiant, have so much fire and facet reflection that inclusions get lost in the sparkle. That means VS2 or even a clean SI1 can look flawless to the naked eye.

For pear and marquise cuts, you’ll want to pay special attention to the tips. Inclusions near the point can weaken the structure or be more visible. When shopping for these shapes, placement matters just as much as grade.

Carat Size

The bigger the diamond, the more noticeable everything becomes, including inclusions. A speck in a 1-carat diamond might be invisible, but in a 3-carat? 

That same inclusion could become an unwanted focal point.

That’s why clarity expectations scale with size. For diamonds over 2 carats, I often steer clients away from SI1 unless we’re working with strategic settings or reviewing ultra-clear specimens.

Ring Settings That Hide Flaws

This is where design can do some heavy lifting. Prong settings can cover a well-placed inclusion, making an SI1 or SI2 appear much cleaner than it is. That’s not trickery, it’s just smart design.

Bezel and halo settings are also excellent for disguising imperfections. A bezel fully wraps the diamond, hiding edge flaws, while a halo draws the eye outward, distracting from any internal quirks.

When clarity is borderline, a custom setting can make the difference between a pass and a wow. We help clients maximize every dollar by combining smart clarity choices with thoughtful design that puts beauty first.

Final Word: So… What’s the Best Clarity?

If you’ve made it this far, here’s the real takeaway: the best clarity for most people is VS1–VS2, or even SI1, as long as it looks clean to the naked eye. You don’t need to pay extra for Flawless or Internally Flawless grades to get a stunning diamond.

Clarity matters, but not nearly as much as most buyers think. It doesn’t control sparkle, and it’s not what your partner will notice. Cut quality plays a much bigger role in how a diamond performs in real life.

So don’t let grading reports or sales pressure dictate your decision. Trust your eyes, your budget, and your priorities. 

Need Help Finding the Right Clarity?

Book a consultation with a diamond expert at Mikado Diamonds. We’ll help you find an eye-clean, brilliant diamond that looks flawless, without paying for features you’ll never see.