Last Updated on 2nd April 2025
When shopping for a lab-grown diamond, clarity is one of the most important factors to consider. In simple terms, clarity refers to the presence or absence of tiny internal marks, called inclusions, and surface imperfections, known as blemishes. The fewer of these there are, the higher the clarity grade.
One major advantage of lab-created diamonds is that they tend to have fewer inclusions than natural diamonds. Since they’re grown in controlled environments rather than deep underground under chaotic geological conditions, they don’t go through the same rough-and-tumble formation process. Think of it like baking a cake in a professional kitchen versus on a camping trip, one is bound to turn out a little cleaner.
In this article, we’ll explore what makes clarity unique in lab-grown diamonds, how to choose the best clarity grade, and whether a flawless diamond is really worth the money.
Understanding Diamond Clarity
Diamond clarity is all about how clean a diamond appears under magnification. Inclusions (internal imperfections) and blemishes (surface imperfections) can affect the overall look and brilliance of a diamond. For lab-grown diamonds, clarity is still important, but the types of inclusions differ from those in natural diamonds. Here below on the left we have a natural 3.58 Carat SI2 diamond and on the right a lab-grown 3.82 SI2 diamond:
Most strikingly the natural diamond has a clearly visible black inclusion left to the center, while the lab-grown diamond shows metallic flux remnants. In this particular case the lab-grown diamond’s inclusion is way harder to pick up on. While natural diamonds often contain tiny bits of other minerals, lab-grown diamonds may have metallic flux contaminations (HPHT diamonds) or strain patterns (CVD diamonds) due to their growth processes.
How Clarity Is Graded in Lab-Grown Diamonds
While GIA (Gemological Institute of America) is the most renowned diamond-grading institution, when it comes to lab-created diamonds, IGI (International Gemological Institute) is the preferred grading authority. IGI was the the first major institution to fully embrace lab-grown diamonds, and its clarity grading is widely recognized and trusted. We recommend IGI-graded lab-grown diamonds from James Allen because with over 50,000 lab-grown diamonds to choose from they have the largest selection of lab-grown diamonds.
IGI, like GIA, uses a clarity scale that ranges from Flawless (FL) to Included (I1-I3):
| Clarity Grade | Description and Our Opinion | Example |
|---|---|---|
| FL | Flawless: No internal inclusions or surface blemishes even under 10x magnification. Extremely rare for lab-grown diamonds. Overkill for buyers seeking value. |  |
| IF | Internally Flawless: No internal inclusions, only very minor surface marks from the growth process. Our Opinion: Not worth the premium, better to invest in a VS1 or VS2 with no visible flaws. |
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| VVS1 | Very, Very Slightly Included 1: Inclusions are nearly impossible to detect under magnification. Common Inclusions: Tiny metallic flux particles (HPHT) or faint striations (CVD). Our Opinion: Excellent quality, but for the price, VS1-VS2 often offers better value. |
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| VVS2 | Very, Very Slightly Included 2: Inclusions are barely visible even under magnification. Common Inclusions: Slightly larger metallic flux particles (HPHT) or mild striations (CVD). Our Opinion: High clarity, but VS1-VS2 gives a more cost-effective balance. |
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| VS1 | Very Slightly Included 1: Inclusions are minor and difficult to detect. Common Inclusions: Small pinpoint inclusions (CVD) or isolated flux remnants (HPHT). Our Opinion: Where the sweet spot for quality and value begins: Flawless to the naked eye without overpaying. |
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| VS2 | Very Slightly Included 2: Inclusions are more noticeable under magnification but still hard to see with the naked eye. Common Inclusions: Tiny metallic inclusions (HPHT) or minor striations/cloudiness (CVD). Our Opinion: Best choice for budget-conscious buyers looking for an eye-clean stone. |
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| SI1 | Slightly Included 1: Inclusions may be visible under close inspection, but often remain eye-clean. Common Inclusions: Small metallic flux remnants (HPHT), faint striations or clouds (CVD). Our Opinion: Great budget option, just check for inclusions near the center. |
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| SI2 | Slightly Included 2: Inclusions are more noticeable and might be seen with the naked eye. Common Inclusions: Visible flux remnants (HPHT), noticeable cloudiness or dark pinpoints (CVD). Our Opinion: Only consider for small diamonds, larger stones may show visible flaws. |
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| I1-I3 | Included: Inclusions are obvious and can impact transparency and durability. Common Inclusions: Large metallic flux remnants (HPHT), severe striations/cloudiness (CVD). Our Opinion: Not recommended because of compromised brilliance. They are hardly ever sold for lab-grown diamonds anyways. |
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IGI’s clarity grading process follows a detailed and standardized methodology. An IGI gemologist examines each lab-grown diamond using a microscope and a 10x magnification loupe. An IGI gemologist will look for one of the following things:
- Number of Inclusions. More inclusions = lower clarity grade.
- Size of Inclusions. Bigger inclusions are more visible and lower the clarity grade.
- Location of Inclusions. Inclusions in the center (table) are worse than those near the edges.
- Type of Inclusions. Lab-grown diamonds have unique inclusions.
- CVD diamonds: May have striations (growth lines), cloudiness, or small pinpoints.
- HPHT diamonds: May have metallic flux particles, black graphite spots, or uneven transparency. Reflection of Inclusions in HPHT diamonds is also something that can happen sometimes. Some inclusions may be reflected within the diamond, making them appear multiple times.
Types of Inclusions in Lab-Created Diamonds
Most inclusions that can be found in natural diamonds can also be found in lab-grown diamonds. Only the nature of the inclusion is different as they don’t come from natural geological processes but rather from metallic remnants or striations that are caused by the growth process itself.
The metallic flux inclusion is the most distinctive inclusion in HPHT diamonds and it comes from the metallic iron or nickel catalyst that is used in the HPHT growth process. The metallic flux inclusion can come in needle form or in form of a pinpoint. On the left we have a metallic needle inclusion and to the right we have several metallic pinpoints:
Another very common inclusion that can be found in CVD lab-grown diamonds are striations. It is also called internal graining and it basically refers to streaks or faint lines which can be white, reflective or colored. These appear as faint, parallel lines or streaks inside the diamond and are a result of uneven growth during the layer-by-layer deposition process.
Striations are more common in lower clarity grades such as SI1 and SI2, but can occasionally appear in VS2 diamonds as well. In higher clarity grades like VS1 or VVS, they are either completely absent or extremely faint and difficult to detect, even under magnification. In most cases, striations are not visible to the naked eye unless the diamond is large and the striations are particularly pronounced.
Below, the SI1 diamond on the left shows dark striations caused by the CVD growth process. Those striations would be visible to the naked eye as faint, shadowy lines that interrupt the otherwise transparent body of the diamond, especially when viewed under direct light or tilted at certain angles.
And on the right side we have a SI1 CVD diamond with a carbon inclusion. Oftentimes they take the shape of a comet or they can simply look like a pinpoint. They result from incomplete carbon bonding during the growth process. Basically you have non-diamond carbon that disturbs the growth process:
Regarding how commonly which inclusion type actually occurs in each diamond type it roughly looks like this:
| Inclusion Type | Natural Diamonds | HPHT Lab-Grown Diamonds | CVD Lab-Grown Diamonds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pinpoints | Tiny white or black crystal inclusions, often in clusters. | Metallic flux remnants from the HPHT growth process, appearing as small specks. | Silicon or carbon pinpoints, sometimes forming faint clouds. |
| Clouds | Clusters of pinpoints that create a hazy appearance. | Rare in HPHT diamonds. If present, usually minimal. | More common, sometimes affecting transparency. |
| Needles | Long, thin, needle-like inclusions formed under high pressure. | Rare, sometimes metallic needle-like inclusions. | Can be present as elongated striations from the CVD growth process. |
| Feathers | Small fractures that resemble tiny feathers. | Less common but possible due to internal stress in the crystal. | Can occur if the diamond undergoes post-growth stress. |
| Graining | Internal structural irregularities appearing as faint lines. | Rare, as HPHT diamonds typically grow in a more uniform structure. | Common, visible as striations due to the layered growth process. |
| Metallic Inclusions | Not found in natural diamonds. | Common: small metallic flux remnants from the HPHT process. | Rare, but possible if contamination occurs during growth process. |
| Color Zoning | Occasionally seen, often in fancy-colored diamonds. | Very Rare. HPHT diamonds usually have an even color distribution due to the growth process. | More common: can appear as brown or gray zones due to uneven growth. |
| Internal Growth Patterns | Irregular, random crystal growth, often with a mix of cubic structures. | Typically well-defined growth, resulting in a more uniform crystal structure. | Distinct layered structure due to slow vertical deposition, often leading to visible striations or banding. |
It is great if you know all the ins and outs of lab-grown diamond inclusions, but we always like to return to the basics: Go for the VS1 – SI1 clarity range and pick an eye-clean diamond. We will go into more details now.
Best Clarity Grades for Lab-Grown Diamonds
On average inclusions in lab-grown diamonds tend to be less visible than those in natural diamonds, even when both have the same clarity grade. To demonstrate that simple fact let’s quickly have a look at some random earth-mined SI1 diamonds and some lab-grown SI1 diamonds. First let’s have a look at the natural diamonds:
We just picked some random natural SI1 diamonds and on 3 of the 4 diamonds an inclusion is clearly visible.
Now let’s have a look at some random lab-grown diamonds below with the same SI1 clarity grade. I think that it’s fair to say that any inclusion that you might pick up on those 40x images is definitely less visible to the naked eye than the ones from the natural diamonds.
When it comes to choosing the best clarity grade for an IGI-graded lab-grown diamond, the goal is simple: get the best-looking diamond for the best price without overpaying for something you can’t even see. After handling countless diamonds, I can confidently say that VS1, VS2, and SI1 clarity grades offer the absolute sweet spot in terms of value.
Why VS1, VS2, and SI1 Are the Smartest Choices
These clarity grades provide an eye-clean diamond at a much lower price than unnecessarily high clarity grades like IF, VVS1 or even VVS2.
VS1 clarity is often completely eye-clean and looks flawless unless you’re using a jeweler’s loupe. With this 1.63 Carat VS1 lab-grown diamond for instance you even have trouble finding the inclusion within the diamond with the 40x magnification. You really even have trouble finding it at all!
VS2 clarity still tends to be eye-clean in most cases, though a quick inspection is necessary to make sure no inclusions are visible in larger diamonds or particularly in step cuts like the Emerald or Asscher cut. This 1.58 Carat VS2 lab-grown diamond for instance clearly shows a visible pinpoint inclusion on the right side and is not eye-clean. Compare it to this 1.56 carat VS2 lab-grown diamond where you don’t see any inclusion at all! If we had to name our one favorite clarity it would be VS2. If you blindly chose a VS2 clarity round cut diamond it would be eye-clean in most cases. That’s why you still want to check with your own eyes.
SI1 clarity is the lowest grade I’d recommend for someone looking for great value. You must inspect each SI1 diamond carefully, as some inclusions might be visible in certain shapes. This 2.48 Carat SI1 Emerald Cut lab-grown diamond for instance shows a very clear metallic flux inclusion that would even be particularly easy to spot due to the emerald diamond shape. It would be a very bad buy. However, this 1.51 Carat SI1 Emerald cut lab-created diamond on the other hand is perfectly eye-clean. If you look at it closely you can barely make out the inclusion under 40x magnification but you definitely couldn’t tell with your bare eyes.
That’s why we think it’s so imperative to only shop at trusted sellers like James Allen with the largest lab-grown diamond inventory or Blue Nile with the second largest inventory of lab-created diamonds to have a great variety of lab-grown diamonds to choose from.
But when chosen correctly, an SI1 stone can look identical to a VS1 at a much lower cost. Like this 2.51 Carat SI1 lab-grown diamond that will look exactly the same as a more expensive VS1 diamond.
Why Higher Clarity Grades Are Overkill
IF (Internally Flawless) and FL (Flawless) diamonds are objectively beautiful, but let’s be honest: No one is going to inspect your diamond with a microscope at dinner. You’re paying a premium for something invisible to the naked eye, which isn’t the best use of your budget.
VVS1 and VVS2 diamonds are extremely high clarity, but the difference between VVS2 and VS1 is nearly impossible to notice unless you’re a trained gemologist with a loupe. The price jump, however, is very noticeable, especially in larger lab-grown diamonds.
Why Lower Clarity Grades Are Risky
But you don’t want to go too low. SI2 diamonds sometimes look eye-clean, especially with lab-grown diamonds you still have a decent chance. But too often, they have inclusions that are visible without magnification, which can affect the sparkle. If you want an SI2 diamond, you must inspect it extremely carefully. This 2.05 Carat SI2 lab-grown diamond is a great example of an eye-clean SI2 diamond. The metallic inclusions are evenly distributed and there is no larger concentrated inclusion, which is key. This 1.51 Carat SI2 lab-grown diamond on the other hand is a great example of a fatal SI2 diamond. It clearly shows visible metallic needle inclusions that stem from the HPHT growth process.
I1, I2, and I3 clarity diamonds are a hard no for us. These stones typically have obvious inclusions, reduced transparency, and in some cases, structural weaknesses. Not worth the trade-off for the lower price.
How Clarity Choice Depends on the Diamond Shape
Different diamond shapes also reveal inclusions differently, so your ideal clarity grade may also depend on the diamond shape.
A Brilliant cut diamond refers to Round, Oval, Cushion, Radiant, Pear, Marquise and Heart shaped diamonds. Brilliant cut diamonds hide inclusions particularly well due to their intense sparkle and faceting pattern. We recommend the VS1 – SI1 zone and anything higher than that is just wasted money to us. You can even be even quite confident at the lower SI1 end if you make sure that it’s eye-clean. If you really put in the effort you can even find an eye clean SI2 diamond.
Then we have step cut diamonds like Emerald, Asscher and Baguette cut diamonds. These have open, glass-like facets that make inclusions much easier to spot. Our general recommendation is the VS1 – VS2 zone. Unless you really put in the effort to make sure that you get an SI1 eye-clean step cut diamond. But we would rather just you stick to the VS1-VS2 zone.
Last but not least we have the princess cut diamond which is a hybrid between brilliant and step cut diamonds. With a princess cut diamond inclusions are slightly easier to see than in a round but still somewhat hidden by sparkle. VS1 – SI1 would be your best bet and you will still have to be very careful with SI1 diamonds.
Our Key Takeaway
The most important factor in diamond clarity is that your lab-grown diamond simply looks eye-clean. Which means that you cannot see any inclusion with your bare eyes. You don’t want any inclusions to take away from the sparkle and the brilliance of the diamond. Or to distract from the beauty of the diamond itself.
That’s why we love respected sellers like James Allen and Blue Nile with their 40x magnification and 360° views. We also recommend Whiteflash’s lab-grown diamond selection if you want to get a lab-grown diamond with the best possible cut quality and maximum brilliance. Here you can even get 100 USD off your Whiteflash purchase.
You don’t need to overpay and in general the VS1 – SI1 clarity zone will give you the best bang for your buck. For round cut diamonds even an eye-clean SI2 is feasible. The great thing about lab-grown diamonds is that they are much cheaper than natural diamonds. The price difference between an SI2, SI1 and VS2 diamond is not that big anyways. If you want to be extra confident just stick with a VS2 diamond and you will be all set.