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Colored Gemstone Clarity Information

Grading with a 10x loupe

Loupe Clean will have no eye visible blemish

Eye Clean will have no eye visible blemish

Moderately Included may have minor blemish

Included has eye visible blemishes

Clarity Types for Colored Gemstones using GIA Clarity Types

Type 1  Gemstones that are normally found to be clean.

         Examples: Amethyst, Aquamarine, Blue Topaz, Citrine, Kunzite, Tanzanite, Yellow Beryl, Yellow Chrysoberyl

Type 2  Gemstones that normally may have a few inclusions.

        Examples: Alexandrite, Andalusite, Iolite, Peridot, Rhodoloite, Ruby, Sapphire, Spinel, Tourmaline, Tsavorite

Type 3  Gemstones that normally do not come clean.

                          Examples: Emerald, Red Beryl, Rubellite Tourmaline

How Clarity is described using the GIA Clarity Grades for Colored Gemstones

Abbreviation Description of Gemological Institute of America

Abbreviation           Clarity Grades & Types 

VVS Type 1          minute to not detectable

VS Type 1             minor

SI1 Type 1             NOTICEABLE to obvious

SI2 Type 1             OBVIOUS to prominent

I1 Type 1               prominent - moderate affect on appearance or durability

I2 Type 1               prominent - severe affect on appearance & durability

I3 Type 1               prominent - severe affect on beauty, transparency & durability

VVS Type 2          minor

VS Type 2             NOTICEABLE to obvious

SI1 Type 2             noticeable to OBVIOUS

SI2 Type 2             obvious to prominent

I1 Type 2               prominent - moderate affect on appearance or durability

I2 Type 2               prominent - severe affect on appearance & durability

I3 Type 2               prominent - severe affect on beauty, transparency & durability

VVS Type 3          NOTICEABLE to obvious

VS Type 3             noticeable to OBVIOUS

SI1 Type 3            obvious to prominent

SI2 Type 3            obvious to PROMINENT

I1 Type 3              prominent - considerable affect on appearance or durability

I2 Type 3              prominent - severe affect on transparency or durability

I3 Type 3              prominent - severe affect on beauty, transparency & durability

Declasse               stones not transparent because of inclusions