GIA Grading Standards for Clarity

• Type I – Gemstones
  Beryl
     Aquamarine
     Green
     Morganite
     Heliodor
  Chrysoberyl
     Green
     Yellow
  Quartz
     Smokey
  Spodumene
     Kunzite
     Green
  Topaz
     Blue
     Yellow
     Orange
     Pink
     Red
  Tourmaline
     Green
  Zircon
     Blue
  Zoisite
     Tanzanite
• Type I – Clarity

  VVS – Very, Very Slightly Included (the best) Minute inclusions that are difficult to see using 10X, and are not visible at all to the naked eye.

  VS – Very Slightly Included Minor inclusions that are easier to see using 10X, but still not visible to the naked eye.

  SI1 – Slightly Included I The inclusions are easily seen using 10X, and are noticeable with the naked eye.

  SI2 – Slightly Included 2 The inclusions are more easily seen using 10X, and are quite visible with the naked eye.

  I1 – Included 1 The inclusions are very obvious and they have a moderate negative effect on the over-all appearance or durability of the gemstone.

  I2 – Included 2 The inclusions are very obvious and they have a severe negative effect on the over-all appearance or durability of the gemstone.

  I3 – Included 3 The inclusions are very obvious and they have a severe negative effect on both the over-all appearance and durability of the gemstone. .

• Type 2- Gemstones
  Andalusite All
  Chrysoberyl
     Alexandrite
  Corundum
     All colors
    (Sapphire and Ruby)
  Garnet
     All species and colors
  Iolite – All
  Peridot – All
  Quartz
     Amethyst
     Citrine
     Ametrine
  Spinel – All
  Tourmaline
     Blue
     Orange
     Yellow
     Multi-colored (except
           watermelon color)
  Zircon
     Green
     Orange
     Red
     Yellow
• Type 2 – Clarity

  VVS – Very, Very Slightly Included (the best) Minor inclusions that are somewhat easy to see using 10X, but still not visible to the naked eye.

  VS – Very Slightly Included Noticeable inclusions that are easier to see using 10X, and may be slightly visible to the naked eye.

  SI1 – Slightly Included I The inclusions are easily seen using 10X and are large or numerous, and are noticeable with the naked eye.

  SI2 – Slightly Included 2 The inclusions are easily seen using 10X and are large or numerous, and are very noticeable with the naked eye.

  I1 – Included 1 The inclusions are very obvious and they have a moderate negative effect on the over-all appearance or durability of the gemstone.

  I2 – Included 2 The inclusions are very obvious and they have a severe negative effect on the over-all appearance or durability of the gemstone.

  I3 – Included 3 The inclusions are very obvious and they have a sever negative effect on both the over-all appearance and durability of the gemstone.

• Type 3 – Gemstones
  Beryl
     Emerald
  Tourmaline
     Red
     Pink
     Watermelon 
• Type 3- Clarity

  VVS – Very, Very Slightly Included (the best) Noticeable inclusions that are easy to see using 10X, but usually not visible to the naked eye.

  VS – Very Slightly Included Obvious inclusions that are easy to see using 10X, and usually visible to the naked eye.
  SI1 – Slightly Included I The inclusions are large and numerous using 10X, and prominent with the naked eye.

  SI2 – Slightly Included 2 The inclusions are large and numerous using 10X, and very prominent with the naked eye.
  I1 – Included 1 The inclusions are very obvious and they have a moderate negative effect on the over-all appearance or durability of the gemstone.

  I2 – Included 2 The inclusions are very obvious and they have a severe negative effect on the over-all appearance or durability of the gemstone.

  I3 – Included 3 The inclusions are very obvious and they have a sever negative effect on both the over-all appearance and durability of the gemstone.