If you’re looking for a diamond engagement ring, you’ll inevitably run into the 4Cs. Carat refers to size (weight), color refers to the diamond’s tone, cut shows how brilliantly the diamond sparkles… and then there’s clarity—meaning the diamond’s clarity/cleanliness.
Clarity is one of the most misunderstood topics, because on paper it seems like “the cleanest = the best.” In reality, for an engagement ring it’s often smarter to aim for an eye-clean diamond: a stone that looks clean to the naked eye.
Quick Summary
Clarity shows how many internal and external “marks” a diamond has.
Most diamonds are not perfect—and that’s normal.
The practical goal when choosing a stone for an engagement ring is eye-clean (clean to the naked eye).
Very often the best price-to-quality balance is VS2 – SI1 (depending on shape and the stone’s characteristics).
For step cuts like emerald/asscher, clarity matters more than for round/oval diamonds.
What Is Clarity?
A diamond’s clarity describes its internal and external features, commonly called “inclusions” and “blemishes.”
Inclusions: features inside the diamond (e.g., tiny crystals, lines, particles)
Blemishes: small surface features (e.g., scratches, dots, surface marks)
These form during the diamond’s growth in nature or during the growth process (lab-grown diamonds can have them too). A clarity grade is not about “is the diamond real,” but “how clean is this specific stone.”
The Clarity Scale (Simple and Clear)
Certificates usually use a grading sequence like this:
FL (Flawless): no inclusions or blemishes visible under 10x magnification
IF (Internally Flawless): no internal inclusions; only tiny surface marks
VVS1 / VVS2: very, very small inclusions—hard to see even at 10x
VS1 / VS2: very small inclusions—visible at 10x, usually eye-clean
SI1 / SI2: small inclusions—more visible at 10x; SI1 is often eye-clean, SI2 depends on the stone
I1 / I2 / I3: inclusions often visible to the naked eye and may affect beauty or durability
If you want a simple rule:
FL–VVS is “perfect,” VS–SI is a smart choice, and I depends on what the wearer wants.
What Does “Eye-Clean” Mean—and Why Is It the Smartest Target?
Eye-clean means: no visible flaws in normal lighting when viewed with the naked eye.
In real engagement-ring life:
no one looks at a diamond with a loupe
people see sparkle and the overall impression
and if the stone looks clean, it looks luxurious
That’s why with FL/VVS you’re often paying for microscopic perfection. An eye-clean stone (VS2 or a good SI1) can look identical in practice—while offering much better value.
Does Clarity Affect Sparkle?
Yes—but not always in the way people assume.
Small inclusions in the VS/SI range typically don’t affect sparkle if the cut is good.
Very large or poorly placed inclusions can:
reduce transparency
create haziness
or disrupt light performance
But in practice, for an engagement ring the priority usually is:
Cut
Clarity (eye-clean in real life)
Color
Carat
Which Inclusions Are “Okay,” and Which Are Better to Avoid?
It all depends on location, size, and type.
Often okay (especially if small and near the edge)
tiny crystals near the edge
small “needle” lines
tiny dots that aren’t in the center
Usually worse (especially if large and centered)
large feathers that reach the edge (can affect durability)
a large black carbon spot in the center (noticeable)
a large cloud (haziness) that makes the stone look dull
inclusions right under the surface (the most visible area)
If a stone is SI1 or SI2, what really matters is what type of inclusion it is and where it sits.
Shape Matters: Not All Cuts Show Clarity the Same Way
Round / oval / cushion: hide inclusions better (the sparkle pattern masks them)
Emerald / asscher: can show inclusions more clearly because the facets are broader
That’s why with an emerald-cut diamond, it can be smart to go a bit higher in clarity than you would for a round.
Practical Recommendations (What I Would Do)
If you want a classic, beautiful choice on a sensible budget:
Round / oval / cushion: aim for VS2 – SI1 (eye-clean)
Emerald / asscher: often aim for VS1 – VS2 (so it looks clean)
If the budget is tight: choose a better cut and keep clarity wisely at an eye-clean level
How to Choose Clarity Safely If You Can’t See the Stone?
Ask for the certificate and the inclusion plot (where the inclusions are)
Ask for a video of the stone (good light, rotating)
Ask the seller directly: “Is this stone eye-clean?” and ask them to explain under what angle and lighting
If possible: view it in daylight and indoor light
Summary
Clarity is the diamond’s internal and external features—part of the diamond’s story. But with an engagement ring, the goal isn’t to pay for a microscope. The goal is that the stone looks genuinely beautiful and clean.
If you want a smart, confident choice:
choose a better cut,
aim for eye-clean clarity