How Does Diamond Clarity Affect A Diamond’s Price?

When it comes to understanding diamond prices, diamond clarity is the one 4C that often goes overlooked. Not only does diamond clarity influence the appearance of a diamond as much as cut, color, and carat weight, but it also impacts the total price of a diamond. In this article, we’ll break down how diamond clarity affects diamond prices, diamond clarity price charts, and how to buy a beautiful VRAI created diamond based on clarity and price.

Our VRAI Diamond Experts can help you choose the best diamond and clarity grade for your budget when you book a complimentary appointment.

What Is Diamond Clarity?

Diamond clarity is one of the diamond 4Cs and it references how visually pure a diamond is. The clarity of a diamond is measured by how many inclusions a diamond has and how visible those inclusions are to the untrained eye.

Diamonds naturally have inclusions, which are formed during the diamond growth process, but most inclusions aren’t visible to the naked eye. A trained gemologist will use a magnifier to view a diamond’s inclusions to determine a diamond’s clarity grade.

Diamond clarity grades are based on how many inclusions a diamond has, how big they are, and how they impact the appearance of the diamond.

Is Diamond Clarity Important?

While inclusions aren’t usually visible themselves, they will affect how light passes through a diamond. As such, diamond clarity is important as it influences the overall appearance and brilliance of a diamond. A diamond with a low clarity grade can appear cloudy and dull instead of bright and brilliant.

What Is The Best Diamond Clarity Grade?

The best diamond clarity grade possible is Flawless (FL) and Internally Flawless (IF). Flawless diamonds have no internal or external imperfections, even under magnification. Less than .5% of diamonds have this clarity grade, so it’s very rare to find them.

The highest clarity grade for a diamond that you’ll commonly find is a VVS1 (Very, very slightly included) diamond. Overall, a clarity grade of VS2 and above (VS1, VVS2, VVS1) is considered a very high clarity grade. Any diamond with these clarity grades won’t have any eye-visible inclusions. Most VRAI Created Diamonds have a clarity grade of VS2 and above.

Is Diamond Price Based On Clarity?

The two biggest factors that affect the price of a diamond are diamond shape and carat weight but the clarity grade can also greatly impact a diamond’s price. Diamonds with higher clarity grades will typically cost more than diamonds with lower clarity grades of the same quality.

Overall, the total price of a diamond is determined by the 4Cs, including clarity, the diamond grade, and the diamond shape.

How Much Is A 1 Carat Diamond Worth?

How much a 1 carat diamond is worth depends on the 4Cs and diamond shape. At the time of publication, a VRAI Created 1 carat Round Brilliant cut diamond with a VS1 clarity grade starts at $1,033. This is the starting price for a loose diamond and does not include the ring setting.

Do Certain Diamond Shapes Cost More?

Yes, some diamond shapes do cost more. Round Brilliant cut diamonds, the most popular diamond shape, are the most expensive diamond shape. Fancy-shaped diamonds of the same quality and carat weight will generally be more affordable.

This is mostly due to the higher demand for specific diamond shapes, making them rarer and more expensive. Round Brilliants, for example, are also more expensive because less of the rough diamond can be used to create this particular shape.

How Does Diamond Clarity Affect Diamond Price?

Diamonds with higher clarity grades will typically cost more than diamonds with lower clarity grades. Since higher clarity grade diamonds don’t have visible inclusions, they are rarer and more valuable. Diamonds of a higher clarity grade also tend to be more brilliant. For these reasons, higher clarity grade diamonds often cost more.

Our VRAI Diamond Experts can help you understand how diamond clarity affects the price of each diamond shape, and how to choose the best clarity grade for your budget and diamond.

What Diamond Clarity Is The Best Value?

Diamonds with a VS2 clarity grade will generally provide the best value. These diamonds have inclusions but they aren’t visible to the naked eye. The visual difference between VS2 diamonds and higher clarity grade diamonds is usually minimal yet they can cost significantly less. VS2 diamonds cost roughly 30% less than Flawless diamonds.

What Diamond Clarity Grade Costs The Most?

The most expensive diamond clarity grade is FL (Flawless). However, as diamonds of this clarity grade are so rare, the most expensive clarity grade you will most commonly see is VVS1 (Very, very slightly included).

Diamond Clarity Price Chart: What’s The Price Difference In Diamond Clarity?

Diamond clarity pricing depends on the diamond clarity grade as well as the diamond. Below, you’ll find the starting price of a VRAI created Round Brilliant cut diamond for each clarity grade. To best compare diamond prices based on clarity, each Round Brilliant cut diamond is 1 carat with an Excellent cut and an I color.

1 Carat VRAI Created Round Brilliant Diamond Price by Clarity Grade:

This information reflects prices at the time of publication.

• VVS1 Clarity Diamond Price: $2,205
• VVS2 Clarity Diamond Price: $1,286
• VS1 Clarity Diamond Price: $1,177
• VS2 Clarity Diamond Price: $1,109
• S11 Clarity Diamond Price: $1,017
• S12 Clarity Diamond Price: $892

This diamond clarity price chart is organized from highest to lowest clarity grade. While there are lower clarity grades (I1, 12, I3), VRAI created diamonds are not available at less than an S12 clarity grade.

We do not recommend choosing diamonds with less than S12 clarity as lower clarity grades have visible inclusions and will noticeably impact the appearance of a diamond.

How Do You Buy A Diamond Based On Clarity And Price?

The best way to buy a diamond based on clarity and price is to book an appointment with a VRAI Diamond Expert. They will help you determine what clarity grade is best for your preferred diamond shape and budget.

Overall, there is some flexibility when choosing a diamond clarity grade since inclusions aren’t always visible. Opting for a slightly lower clarity grade will usually lower the price, but the difference in appearance may not be noticeable. Certain diamond shapes with step-cut facets do look best at higher clarity grades, such as Emerald cut, Asscher Cut, or Princess cut diamonds.

Some diamond shapes, however, tend to hide inclusions better than others, like Radiant cut diamonds. This makes it possible to choose a lower clarity grade and lessen the total diamond price. A higher clarity grade isn’t always necessary for certain diamond shapes to still look brilliant and clear.

How To Buy A Higher Clarity Grade Diamond On A Budget

If you’d like to buy a diamond with a high clarity grade no matter your budget, the best way to do so is to choose a VRAI created diamond. VRAI created diamonds with higher clarity grades are available at a wide range of prices.

We sustainably produce all of our lab-grown diamonds in our zero-emission foundry and are there for the entire journey of the diamond. Our prices reflect your VRAI created diamonds true value, with no middlemen markups. This allows us to offer the most competitive diamond prices in the industry.

When you buy a VRAI created diamond, you can buy a high-clarity grade diamond at a more accessible price point.

Why Should You Choose VRAI Created Lab-Grown Diamonds?

All VRAI created lab-grown diamonds are sustainably created using renewable energy. When you choose a 1 carat VRAI created diamond instead of a mined diamond, you’re saving 120 gallons of water, 250 tons of earth, and 143 lbs of CO2.

With our vertically-integrated supply chain, we control the entire production process. We can guarantee the origin and quality of each VRAI created diamond, as well as offer lower prices for higher clarity grade diamonds.

When you choose a VRAI created diamond, you’re choosing a beautiful, brilliant diamond that aligns with your values and style and still suits a range of budgets.

Understand Diamond Clarity Price With A Diamond Expert

To learn more about diamond clarity pricing, book a complimentary appointment with our VRAI Diamond Experts. Whether you’re shopping for an engagement ring or a loose diamond, our Diamond Experts can ensure you find the right diamond and clarity grade for your budget.