"Flawless" is the highest grade of gem stone, where no internal inclusions or surface imperfections are visible under ten power magnification. "Internally Flawless" describes stones with no visible interior imperfection but having minor surface blemishes which do show under magnification. This top "perfect grade" is also extremely expensive... In 1980 a "D" Flawless one carat sold for about $60,000 where the price has been devalued lately to around $15,000.... Remember this if someone tells you that a fine flawless diamond is "an investment".... You're better off waitin' on the curb for the Publisher's clearing house van than buying a fine diamond at retail prices as an investment....
Oh yeah, tell Dick Clark (if you see him) that Ray says "hello"... :)

The "Very Very Slight Imperfection" category (divided into "1" and "2" factors) rates stones that have tiny inclusions which are difficult to detect even with ten power magnification. These tend to appear "perfect" to all but the most trained professionals, or remember this when you're shopping for just the right stone/value... Now, for the step cut diamonds, like the emerald cut, this "VVS" grade area is perfection, for in this cut one needs to realize that clarity is a very imporant consideration. The diamonds which are brillanteered, like the round cut and others, breaks the light up into small pinfire, and masks most all imperfections down to the SI1 range, for appearant perfection, in a emerald cut the effect is that of a "clear pool of water", and more a reflective and mirror effect, so imperfections in the emerald cut tend to be more visible. For a perfect emerald cut this range is fer you...

"Very Slight Imperfection" (divided into "1" and "2" factors) indicates very slight imperfections which are still difficult to see with ten power magnification. This grade of stones appears to all but the trained eye as perfectly clear. This is where the "values" begin! The upper grades are great, but the cost is restrictive and when you can't see the difference except in a gemologist's laboratory my advise is to consider this grade and spend less time with gemologists :) This be my favorite grade for diamonds, for one gets all the way to appearant perfection, under magnification too, and that you can spend more for something you can't see is not needed. A well cut "VS1-VS2" is where perfect come to visit, and you can find everything you ever dreamed of in this grade in ways of quality and beauty.

You'll find the next lower grade in the windows of nearly every store you'll visit. "Slightly Included" diamonds have slight imperfections and inclusions visible under ten power magnification (divided into "1" and "2" factors). These represent one of the best values for a nice diamond. The stone will look great, but you don't pay for the additional laboratory-graded clarity which makes little actual difference in the "appearance and beauty of the stone." Staying with the "1" rating in this grade is a great way to buy a beautiful stone at a great value and appearant perfection.... I have sold many many SI2's that were totally eyeclean, and for that client who wants a big and beautiful diamond this grade really makes sense... Not for the emerald cut, but for the rounds and other brillianteered cuts that mask activity, then you have a great look and a most affordable situation.

The lower grades are the "Imperfect'' grades, with some eye visible activity within the stone. The "Imperfect" range is divided into three factors ("1", "2", and "3") with each factor indicating a stone more visibly included to the naked eye. For the person who wants that large and very impressive diamond, and is on a budjet, this grade can be a perfect alternative. In a diamond that is very well cut the I1 grade can offer much in the way of beauty, and while one cannot say that this grade will produce a totally eye clean diamond it can produce the most diamond for the money, and a very beautiful result. When shopping for diamonds it always pays to remember to work with a professional, and to have a return policy that makes sense. We know that this grade can be the perfect choice for many, so I have expanded our offerings to include this grade. Here's a great example! This particular ring I just made has a 3.25 carat center diamond in the I1 grade, and with these huge shots you can see that the diamond is beautiful, being well cut. I think that it makes sense to say that this range makes sense to include, for it can be the pathway to that perfect result for the big diamond lover.


IMPORTANT!.
There's a new breed of diamond out there you need to know about! Fracture filled diamonds, enhanced by filling in flaws with resin... These are crap! A simple shop proceedure down the road a few years can "reverse this treatment" and you may find your "treated stone" ends up "treating you very badly".... Ugh! I hate fake rolex's, goldplated jewelry & treated stones... You should too because neither can be considered a lasting value.... The treatment is not to be considered permanent!!! Certian retailers love 'em because they're so "Cheap" and so purdy :) Don't be fooled!!!
Avoid treated diamonds! They are "bad news" just waiting to happen later when a simple shop service to retip or repair destroys the filling, if you need more problems in yer life have more kids, but leave these rascals alone.