Diamond Clarity Grading
Diamond Clarity Q and A: How can I compare
the clarity grading systems used by the different diamond
laboratories?
Although the
GIA clarity grading system and nomenclature are the best known
and most often used by dealers around the world, other systems
are still popular both here and in other countries. We developed
the charts below to help you understand how the diamond grading
systems compare.
See the GIA
clarity scale
for basic definitions of these terms.
Clarity Grading
Scales
(for diamonds 0.46
carats and above)
|
| GIA |
AGS |
CIBJO
IDC |
SCAN.D.N. |
F
Flawless |
0 |
F
Flawless |
LC
Loupe Clean |
IF
Internally
Flawless |
1 |
IF |
IF |
VVS1
Very
Very Slightly Included 1 |
VVS1 |
VVS1 |
VVS2
Very
Very Slightly Included 2 |
2 |
VVS2 |
VVS2 |
VS1
Very
Slightly Included 1 |
3 |
VS1 |
VS1 |
VS2
Very
Slightly Included 2 |
4 |
VS2 |
VS2 |
SI1
Slightly
Included 1 |
5 |
SI1 |
SI1 |
SI2
Slightly
Included 2 |
6 |
SI2 |
SI2 |
SI3
Slightly
Included 3 |
I1
Included
1 |
7-8 |
P1
Pique
1 |
P1
Pique
1 |
I2
Included
2 |
8-9 |
P2
Pique
2 |
P2
Pique
2 |
I3
Included
3 |
9-10 |
P3
Pique
3 |
P3
Pique
3 |
NOTE:
I know I say it a lot for those who are reading the whole tutorial, but it is very good to remember that knowing the 4 Cs is NOT enough to price a diamond accurately. So please don't stop at the 4 Cs is you want to learn the main points about diamond quality and pricing.
The Fastest Way to Price a Diamond
Today, the fastest way to price a diamond also happens to be the most accurate and current: Use the online databases to research prices for stones that are currently on the market, with all the details from the certificate (far beyond the 4 Cs). I wrote this simple, step-by-step Diamond Pricing Tutorial to teach you all the steps using one of the largest truthful online databases out there. All you need from there, is a good jeweler to help you at each step of the way. If you cannot find a good jeweler, we rate the top dealers for you.
Robert Hensley
President
Diamond Helpers
