The Grade on the Certificate Isn't Just a Number — Here's What It Actually Tells You
When you look at a IGI lab diamond certificate, you'll see a grade like "D / VVS1 / Excellent." For most buyers, this is meaningless shorthand. But these grades are the difference between a diamond that looks like glass under certain lighting and one that is genuinely, measurably exceptional. Understanding them takes about five minutes and will change how you read every diamond you look at from here on.
Colour: The D-to-Z Scale
The GIA colour scale runs from D (completely colourless) to Z (visibly yellow or brown tint). The grades you'll see at the fine jewellery level are:
| Grade | Description | Visible to naked eye? |
|---|---|---|
| D, E, F | Colourless | No colour visible even under magnification |
| G, H, I, J | Near-colourless | Slight warmth, only visible when compared side-by-side with D-F |
| K and below | Faint to visible tint | Noticeable warmth or yellow cast |
Every lab diamond in the Heritage & Co. CLARITAS collection is graded D — the highest colour grade on the scale. Completely colourless. Set in 18K white, yellow, or rose gold, a D-colour stone produces the crisp, icy sparkle that defines what most people picture when they think of a perfect diamond.
Clarity: The FL-to-I3 Scale
Clarity describes the presence of internal characteristics (inclusions) and surface features (blemishes) in the stone. The GIA clarity scale runs from Flawless (FL) to Included (I3).
| Grade | Description |
|---|---|
| FL, IF | Flawless / Internally Flawless — no inclusions under 10x magnification |
| VVS1, VVS2 | Very Very Slightly Included — inclusions only visible under 10x by an expert |
| VS1, VS2 | Very Slightly Included — inclusions visible under 10x, not to the naked eye |
| SI1, SI2 | Slightly Included — inclusions potentially visible to the naked eye |
| I1-I3 | Included — inclusions visible to the naked eye |
CLARITAS stones are graded VVS1 — the second-highest clarity grade available, with inclusions visible only to an expert under 10x magnification. In practical terms, VVS1 is eye-clean and then some. There is no difference visible to the naked eye between VVS1 and FL; the distinction exists at the gemological level, not the visible level.
Cut: Why "Excellent" Is the Only Grade That Matters
The cut grade describes how well the stone's facets interact with light — the proportions, symmetry, and polish. An "Excellent" cut grade means the stone achieves maximum brilliance, fire, and scintillation. A poorly cut D/FL stone can look dull; an Excellent-cut H/VS2 stone can be stunning. Cut is the most important of the 4Cs for visual performance. Every stone in the CLARITAS collection carries an Excellent cut grade.
What D/VVS1/Excellent Actually Means
It means the stone is at the apex of the grading system: completely colourless, nearly flawless, and cut for maximum light performance. Not one compromise across the three criteria that matter most. That's what "D/VVS1" on a IGI certificate tells you — and that's exactly what's in every CLARITAS ring, from R44,995.
CLARITAS — IGI-Certified Lab Diamonds at Heritage & Co.
