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 | |
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