Color and clarity are two of the four Cs used to grade every diamond, along with cut and carat weight. They also sit behind the numbers you see in product listings, such as D to F color or VVS1 to VS1 clarity. Here is what they mean in practice.
Quick answer: color measures how colorless a diamond is, and D to F is the colorless range. Clarity measures tiny internal marks called inclusions, and VVS1 to VS1 means they are very hard to see even under magnification. Our studs are D to F and VVS1 to VS1.
Diamond color
Diamond color grading judges how much body color a diamond has. The scale starts at D, which is completely colorless, and runs through the alphabet to Z, which has a noticeable light yellow or brown tint. Gemological labs apply the same scale to lab-grown and mined diamonds.
| Grade | Category | What you see |
|---|---|---|
| D, E, F | Colorless | No visible color. Looks icy white. |
| G, H, I, J | Near colorless | Color is hard to see face-up in most settings. |
| K, L, M | Faint | A slight warmth that can be noticed. |
D, E and F are all considered colorless. The differences between them are very small and are usually only detected by a trained eye comparing stones side by side. This is why we group our studs in the D to F range.
Diamond clarity
Clarity describes how many inclusions (internal marks) and blemishes (marks on the surface) a diamond has, judged under 10x magnification. The scale runs from Flawless to Included.
| Grade | Name | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| FL, IF | Flawless, Internally Flawless | No inclusions visible at 10x |
| VVS1, VVS2 | Very, Very Slightly Included | Inclusions very difficult to see at 10x |
| VS1, VS2 | Very Slightly Included | Minor inclusions, usually not visible without magnification |
| SI1, SI2 | Slightly Included | Inclusions noticeable at 10x, some visible to the eye |
| I1, I2, I3 | Included | Inclusions usually visible to the eye |
Our studs are graded VVS1 to VS1. That is the range where marks are very difficult or difficult to see even with a loupe, so the stones look clean to the eye.
Do you need the very top grades?
Not usually. Flawless diamonds cost much more, and their advantage over a VVS or VS stone is invisible when you are wearing earrings. A better strategy for most buyers:
- Choose colorless (D to F) or near colorless (G to H) depending on your budget and whether the stone will be set in white metal, where color shows more.
- Choose VS clarity or better so the stone is clean to the eye.
- Put the rest of your budget into cut and size. Cut controls how light moves through the diamond and has the biggest effect on sparkle.
Our grades
| Piece | Color | Clarity | Certification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Round diamond studs | D to F | VVS1 to VS1 | IGI certified |
| Tennis bracelet | Approx. F or better | Approx. VS or better | Certificate of authenticity |
A tennis bracelet holds many small diamonds, so its grades are given as approximate ranges across the whole piece.
Frequently asked questions
Is D to F color the best?
D is the top grade and D to F are all colorless. A difference between D and F is very difficult to see without comparison tools.
Is VS clarity good?
Yes. VS stones are clean to the eye in almost all cases, and they cost less than VVS or flawless stones.
Are lab-grown diamonds graded the same way?
Yes. Labs such as IGI and GIA grade lab-grown diamonds on the same color, clarity, cut and carat scales as mined diamonds, and note that they are laboratory-grown. Read more in are lab-grown diamonds actually diamonds.
What matters most for sparkle?
Cut. A well-cut diamond returns more light to your eye than a poorly cut stone of higher color or clarity.
Choose your size and metal
Next, read our diamond stud size guide or learn how to choose between 14K white, yellow and rose gold.