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.