GIA Colored Stone Clarity Guide
Type IUsually Eye Clean
Aquamarine Chrysoberyl Heliodor Morganite Smoky Quartz Spodumene Tanzanite Tourmaline (green) Zircon (blue) |
Type IIUsually Included
Amethyst Ametrine Andalusite Alexandrite Citrine Garnet Iolite Peridot Ruby Sapphire Spinel Tourmaline (all except green, red, pink & watermelon) Zircon (all except blue) |
TYPE IIIAlmost Always Included
Emerald Red Beryl Tourmaline (red, pink & watermelon) |
Type I |
Type II |
Type III |
|
VVS |
Eye clean. Minute inclusions difficult to see under 10x magnification. |
Usually eye clean. Minor inclusions somewhat easy to see under 10x magnification. |
Usually eye clean. Noticeable inclusions under 10x magnification. |
VS |
Usually eye clean. Minor inclusions somewhat easy to see under 10x magnification. |
Noticeable under 10x magnification. May be eye visible. |
Obvious inclusions under 10x magnification. May be eye visible. |
SI1 |
Easily noticeable under 10x magnification. Slightly visible to the naked eye. |
Obvious inclusions, either large or numerous visible under 10x magnification. Apparent to the naked eye. |
Prominent to the naked eye. |
SI2 |
Easily visible to the naked eye. |
Obvious inclusions, either large or numerous visible under 10x magnification. Very apparent to the naked eye. |
Very prominent to the naked eye. |
I1 |
Moderate effect on appearance or durability. |
Moderate effect on appearance or durability. |
Moderate effect on appearance or durability. |
I2 |
Severe effect on appearance or durability. |
Severe effect on appearance or durability. |
Severe effect on appearance or durability. |
I3 |
Severe effect on both appearance and durability. |
Severe effect on both appearance and durability. |
Severe effect on both appearance and durability. |