Diamond Clarity & Colour Chart (South Africa)
Last updated: June 2026 | Independently researched by Diamond Guide SA
Diamond clarity runs from Flawless (FL) down to Included (I3), and colour runs from D (colourless) down to Z (light yellow). For value in South Africa, the sweet spot is VS clarity (reliably eye-clean) and G to H colour (near-colourless, reads white once set). Paying up for VVS clarity or D colour rarely shows on the finger. Use the interactive tool below to see how each grade looks on a diamond, then check the full charts.
VS2 Very Slightly Included 2
Typically eye-cleanMinor inclusions somewhat easy to see under 10x, almost always eye-clean.
SA tip: Best value grade for most buyers. Verify eye-clean on the specific stone.
Want to compare grades on real stones?
A wholesale cutting house will show VS and SI stones side by side so you can see eye-clean for yourself.
Inclusions and tint are schematic illustrations of the GIA grading scales, shown larger than life for teaching. Real inclusions vary in type and position, and colour is graded face-down against masterstones. View any stone in person or on video before buying.
Diamond Clarity Chart (FL to I3)
| Grade | Meaning | Eye-clean? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| FL | Flawless | Yes | No inclusions under 10x. Rarest, priciest. |
| IF | Internally Flawless | Yes | Surface only; no internal inclusions. |
| VVS1 / VVS2 | Very Very Slightly Included | Yes | Minute inclusions, very hard to see at 10x. |
| VS1 / VS2 | Very Slightly Included | Yes | The SA value sweet spot. Reliably eye-clean. |
| SI1 / SI2 | Slightly Included | Usually / Sometimes | Often eye-clean; inspect the specific stone. |
| I1 / I2 / I3 | Included | No | Inclusions visible to the eye; budget pieces only. |
Diamond Colour Chart (D to Z)
| Grades | Group | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| D, E, F | Colourless | Top tier. No detectable colour. Commands a premium. |
| G, H, I, J | Near-colourless | Looks white once set. G to H is the SA value sweet spot. |
| K, L, M | Faint | Faint warmth shows, especially when larger. Suits yellow gold. |
| N to R | Very Light | Visible yellow. Priced well below colourless. |
| S to Z | Light | Light yellow. Below Z, stones grade as fancy colour. |
How clarity and colour trade off
Clarity and colour are two of the 4Cs, but they are not where most of the visible value sits. Cut decides how a diamond actually performs in the light, so a GIA Excellent-cut stone in G/VS will out-sparkle a larger, poorly cut stone with higher grades. Once you have a strong cut, treat clarity and colour as budget dials rather than prestige targets.
The practical SA approach: choose an eye-clean clarity (VS, sometimes a well-inspected SI1), a near-colourless colour (G to H, or I to J in yellow gold), and put the saving into carat or cut. Larger stones reveal both colour and inclusions more readily, so size up the grades slightly above 1.50 carat. Our how to buy diamonds guide covers the full trade-off, the certification guide explains how to read a GIA report, and the diamond size calculator shows how carat translates to millimetres on the hand.
The single most reliable way to judge clarity and colour is to compare stones side by side. A wholesale-to-public cutting house such as Prodiam in Bedfordview will lay out VS against SI, and G against J, so you can see eye-clean and near-colourless for yourself before committing, and you can browse certified loose stones by grade to set a benchmark.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best diamond clarity for value in South Africa?
VS1 to VS2 is the value sweet spot. These grades are reliably eye-clean (no inclusions visible to the naked eye) but cost meaningfully less than VVS or Flawless, which look identical on the finger. SI1 can be excellent value too if you inspect the specific stone, since clarity at SI depends heavily on where the inclusions sit.
What is the best diamond colour for value in South Africa?
G to H is the value sweet spot. Both are near-colourless and read as white once set in white gold or platinum, at a clear saving over the D to F colourless range. If your setting is yellow gold, you can drop to I or J and the warmer metal hides the faint colour entirely.
What are VVS diamonds?
VVS (Very Very Slightly Included) diamonds have minute inclusions that are extremely difficult to see even under 10x magnification. VVS1 is marginally cleaner than VVS2. Both are eye-clean and sit just below Internally Flawless. For most SA buyers the price premium over VS is better spent on cut or carat, since the difference is invisible without a loupe.
Does diamond clarity or colour show on the finger?
Down to VS2 clarity and H colour, almost never to the naked eye. Below that it depends on the stone, the size, and the setting metal. Larger diamonds show both colour and inclusions more readily, so a 2 carat stone benefits from a slightly higher colour and clarity grade than a 0.5 carat stone for the same visual result.
Which matters more, clarity or colour?
Cut matters more than either, because it drives brilliance. Between clarity and colour, colour is usually the more visible of the two once you are eye-clean, so most SA buyers prioritise a near-colourless grade (G to H) and an eye-clean clarity (VS) rather than chasing a high clarity grade with weaker colour.