What clarity grade?

[Dilbert]

Out of curiosity, which clarity grade would guarantee no visible flaw to the naked eye at the smallest distance? VS2? VVS2?

 

[FireGoddess]

Depends on the cut, my friend. A non-step cut stone, possibly VS2 but there are exceptions. A step-cut stone like an emerald cut or asscher....VVS2 possibly, but there are exceptions for eagle eyed people!!!

I could safely guess IF.

 

[justjulia]

Depends on what you mean by "smallest." I''ve had an si2 that was eye clean close up. Is the inclusion a dark mineral? A feather? A natural? A dot or a "boogar" as I''ve heard some call them? Is it hidden well behind a prong? Is it right on the table or hidden in the girdle? Is it a round brilliant that hides it in it''s facets or is it a crystal clear emerald cut? Soooooo many questions to consider.

 

[Richard Sherwood]

1 carat and smaller, usually SI1.

1 to 3 carats, usually VS2.

Over 3 carats, case-by-case basis.

(Non step-cut stones).

 

[RockDoc]

HI Dilbert

I think this has a lot to do with vision acuity of the person looking.

I see things that some other people do not see - and vice versa.

Nearsighted people have excellent vision close up, and can see things more readilly than people who just have 20/20 vision.

Some inclusions become visible only when the stone is tilted.

Some which do have inclusions large enough to be visible, can be "hidden" by proportioning the stone really well. As a result the stone has so much light return going on in it, the inclusions are "masked".

The method of lighting, or the lighting envoronmet has a lot to do with this as well.

Location and depth of the inclusion is imperative as well, and can vary how it looks.

There are just too many different variables and it is a stone by stone call.

Rockdoc

 

[JohnQuixote]

If you stay with the standards of the top major labs such as AGS or GIA or elite boutique labs like some of the notable PS appraisers run (Accredited Gem Appraisers, American Gem Registry, Sarasota Gem Lab, Consumers Gem Lab) the above advice (VS, VVS) is sound in a general sense. Of course every instance depends on human vision, lighting & distance.

Bear in mind that the clarity grade is a subjective judgment and depends on the strictness and consistency of who performs the grading as much as anything else. I have seen rounds in the 1 ct range with visible pepper, graded VS by a second or third-tier lab.