GIA Grading Standards for Clarity
Below are the standards for colored gemstone grading for each type of stone
- 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.