Grading

Why there is no universal clarity/color grading standard for colored gemstones? This handy chart below can give you a good guide how many colored stone dealers grade colored stones.
There is no universal clarity/color grading standard for colored gemstones.

GIA Type 1 Clarity Chart

VVS Very Very Slightly Included – Minute to not detectable
VS Very Slightly Included – minor
SI1 Slightly Included – NOTICEABLE to obvious
SI2 Slightly Included 2 – OBVIOUS to noticeable
I1 Included 1 – Prominent – moderate effect on appearance or durability
I2 Included 2 – Prominent – severe effect on appearance & durability
I3 Included 3 – Prominent – severe effect on beauty, transparency & durability
Type 1 Gemstones are gemstones that are normally found to be clean. This includes gems such as Amethyst, Aquamarine, Blue Topaz, Citrine, Kunzite, Tanzanite, Yellow Beryl, Yellow Chrysoberyl and Diamond.

GIA Type 2 Clarity Chart

VVS Very Very Slightly Included – Minor inclusions
VS Very Slightly Included – NOTICEABLE to Obvious
SI1 Slightly Included – Noticeable to OBVIOUS
SI2 Slightly Included 2 – Obvious to Prominent
I1 Included 1 – Prominent – moderate effect on appearance or durability
I2 Included 2 – Prominent – severe effect on appearance & durability
I3 Included 3 – Prominent – severe effect on beauty, transparency & durability
Type 2 Colored Gemstones by their nature have natural inclusions. (Inclusions are the norm) This includes gems such as Andalusite, Crysoberyl, Alexandrite, Corundum (i.e. Sapphire and Ruby), Garnet, Peridot, Quartz, Amethyst, Citrine, Ametrine, Spinel, Tourmaline and Zircon.

GIA Type 3 Clarity Chart

VVS Very Very Slightly Included – NOTICEABLE to obvious
VS Very Slightly Included – Noticeable to OBVIOUS
SI1 Slightly Included – OBVIOUS to prominent
SI2 Slightly Included 2 – Obvious to PROMINENT
I1 Included 1 – Prominent – considerable effect on appearance or durability
I2 Included 2 – Prominent – severe effect on transparency or durability
I3 Included 3 – Prominent – severe effect on beauty, transparency & durability
Type 3 Colored Gemstones by their nature have many natural inclusions. (Heavily Included is the norm) This includes gems such as Emerald, Beryl, Rubellite, and Tourmaline.A rather nice guide for buying gemstones can be found online on the G.I.A. website, Click on this link to read How to Buy a Gemstone

Download Gem Guides

Subscribe to our newsletter to instantly download all gem guides with exclusive savings for our email clients.