Expert Guide to the IF Clarity Diamond

When shopping for a diamond engagement ring or other jewelry, people often aim for eye-clean diamonds. With an IF clarity diamond, you won’t have to worry about visible inclusions. While there is no such thing as a perfectly pure diamond, IF-clarity diamonds come pretty close.

This article will cover what you need to know about IF clarity diamonds.

• What Is IF Clarity?
• IF Diamond Pricing
• Pros and Cons of IF Clarity Diamonds
• Guide to Purchasing an IF Clarity Diamond Ring
• Talk to a Diamond Expert

What Is IF Clarity?

IF Clarity represents diamonds that are categorized as “Internally Flawless.” Clarity is one of the most important aspects of diamond quality assessment since it measures the presence or absence of a diamond’s internal and external physical imperfections.

A diamond’s clarity is graded based on the Gemological Institute of America’s (GIA) clarity scale, which starts with flawless diamonds and ends with included diamonds. IF diamonds take second place on GIA’s scale, right after FL (flawless) diamonds. The abbreviation “IF” stands for internally flawless, which signifies diamonds with no visible inclusions under 10x magnification. To the naked eye, an IF clarity diamond looks exactly what its name implies – flawless.

If you want an IF clarity diamond for your engagement ring or other special piece of jewelry, you should know they’re on the pricier side. What makes them so desirable is their rarity. It’s not common to find diamonds with no visible inclusions, especially under a microscope.

IF Diamond Pricing and Chart

A loose, 1-carat IF clarity diamond can cost $6,000, but it can also be worth $9,000, depending on its other characteristics, like color and cut. IF clarity diamonds are not for those on a budget, as their prices are much higher than lower clarity grades. This chart shows the average prices for loose, round-cut IF clarity G-Color diamonds with different carat weights.

Note that the prices below reflect market pricing as of July 2024.

Keep in mind that these are the average prices for loose stones, which are diamonds that haven’t been set yet. Once you add the settings, the total price of the diamond ring will increase.

The price will differ depending on the color and cut of the diamond—for example, a round-cut 1-carat IF clarity diamond with a D color will be around $17,000. But if you settle on a lower-level color from the G-J category, you’ll be able to get the diamond for a much lower price. For instance, an H-color IF clarity diamond is usually around $7,200 for a 1-carat stone.

Expert Tip: The diamond’s cut can influence the price. The table above shows the average prices of G-color round-cut IF clarity diamonds. If you opt for a different cut, like the princess cut, you can get the 1-carat diamond of the same color grade for about $7,300.

If you’re interested in specific IF clarity diamond prices, fill out the form at the bottom of this article. Our diamond experts will tell you what to expect in terms of pricing.

Is It a Good Idea to Buy an IF Clarity Diamond?

If you’re thinking about buying an IF clarity diamond, there are many factors you need to take into consideration. After all, a diamond engagement ring is a huge investment, so it should be worth the money. Here are the pros and cons of IF clarity diamonds.

Pros of IF Clarity Diamonds

The main advantage of internally flawless diamonds is that they are nearly perfect from the inside out. The lack of flaws means the diamond will also look sparkling and brilliant, regardless of cut or shape.

For buyers who want specific diamond shapes such as Asscher, emerald, or rose cut, an IF clarity grade is beneficial since these shapes can highlight rather than camouflage inclusions and imperfections.

Additionally, since they’re more scarce than lower clarity grades, they’re higher in value, making them something of a status symbol. Having something unique and valuable makes internally flawless diamonds ideal for engagement rings.

Their rarity also makes them a good investment piece. Since IF-clarity diamonds are more valuable than most diamond clarity grades, they’ll retain their resale value.

Cons of IF Clarity Diamonds

If you’re on a tight budget, an IF clarity diamond might not be for you. Internally flawless diamonds are quite pricey compared to diamonds with lower-grade clarity. As we mentioned before, you can expect to pay around $9,100 for a 1-carat stone.

Another thing to consider is that finding an IF clarity diamond might be a challenge because they’re so rare. Together, FL and IF clarity diamonds make up only 1% of all natural diamonds in the world. That’s also the reason they command such high prices. You might not be able to find one right away.

Expert Tip: If you were to put an IF clarity diamond and a VVS1 clarity diamond next to each other, an untrained eye wouldn’t be able to tell the difference. Any inclusions would only show up under a microscope. That’s why buying a lower clarity grade is usually a better choice for most buyers since it allows for a larger carat size and higher color grade within the budget.

Types of Inclusions in an IF Clarity Diamond

Gemologists look at five important factors to grade a diamond’s clarity. Those are the size, number, position, nature, and color of inclusions within a diamond. Naturally, the more imperfections a diamond has, its clarity grade will be lower.

Even though IF clarity diamonds don’t have visible inclusions under 10x magnification, they might come with external characteristics, otherwise known as blemishes. The most common blemishes that might appear on an IF clarity diamond include scratches, surface graining, polish lines, extra facets, and dark or light spots. Of course, a diamond can also come with chips, nicks, or similar types of damage.

It’s important to understand that a diamond’s cut is more important than its clarity. It might not even matter if the diamond is perfectly transparent and has no inclusions. If it isn’t cut properly, it will greatly affect its overall quality and value.

How to Buy a Loose IF Clarity Diamond

When buying a diamond engagement ring, some people like to start with loose stones and design a suitable setting for the diamond afterward. While buying a loose diamond has many advantages, it might be complicated for first-timers. Various online jewelry stores offer loose diamonds, but they can all look the same to someone who knows nothing about diamonds. Since it’s easy to get overwhelmed with all the choices, you can risk missing important details and end up buying a diamond you won’t be happy with.

To make sure this doesn’t happen, do some research and decide exactly what you’re looking for. If you want an IF clarity diamond, you might have to sacrifice something else, like the color or the quality of the cut. Once you decide what kind of loose diamond you want, write it down and show it to your jeweler. They can help you find the perfect IF clarity diamond.

If you need help buying an IF clarity diamond, our trained diamond experts can help you. All you need to do is fill out the form below and you’ll get access to Estate Diamond Jewelry’s search options that can help you find what you’re looking for.

IF vs. VVS1

“VVS1” stands for very, very slightly included. As opposed to IF diamonds, VVS1 diamonds can have some internal inclusions. However, they are so tiny that it’s challenging to perceive them even with a 10x magnification lens. In fact, these inclusions are so microscopic, they don’t affect the diamond’s brilliance or transparency at all.

The VVS1 clarity grade is very popular because customers get eye-clean diamonds for a much lower price. A round cut 1-carat VVS1 clarity G-color diamond can cost around $8,500 vs $9,100 for an IF clarity of the same specs.

Additionally, both IF and VVS1 diamonds would look identical to the naked eye. The Winona Ring in the picture below, from our vintage collection, features an emerald cut 6.38 VVS1 clarity diamond. Despite the shape and large size, any inclusions wouldn’t be visible to the naked eye, but the price is significantly lower than it would be for an IF clarity of the same shape, size, and color.

This is why we advise buying a VVS1 clarity diamond if you’re on a budget. They’re just as beautiful as IF diamonds and offer the same eye-cleanliness. If, however, you’re looking to invest in the highest-value piece you can afford, then an IF clarity diamond is a good choice.

FL vs. IF

The main difference between flawless and internally flawless diamonds is that the first category doesn’t have visible inclusions and blemishes under 10x magnification, while the latter has no inclusions. In other words, the presence of microscopic external characteristics is the only factor that sets these two clarity grades apart.

It’s incredibly challenging to differentiate between FL and IF diamonds, even for skilled gemologists. Even though they’re almost the same, internally flawless diamonds tend to cost less than flawless diamonds. Flawless diamonds can be 25% to 35% more expensive than internally flawless diamonds.

If you’re torn between an FL clarity diamond and an IF clarity diamond, we advise getting an internally flawless diamond. Not only is it impossible to tell the difference between these two clarity grades, but you can buy an IF diamond for less.

Top 7 Insider Tips and Tricks for Buying IF Clarity Diamonds

Buying a diamond engagement ring should be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. To find the best possible option at a great price, follow these seven insider tips and tricks. These are good rules to follow for any other pieces of diamond jewelry as well.

1. Pick the Right Diamond Cut

As we said before, the cut is the most important “C” diamond characteristic of the “4 Cs.” Some cuts work better with high-clarity diamonds, while others are universal. When it comes to IF clarity diamonds, you can feel confident about choosing any cut you want. You won’t have to worry about the cut revealing or magnifying the inclusions.

The emerald cut and Asscher cut are ideal for an IF clarity diamond. They’re step cuts that accentuate the diamond’s transparency. Another good option is the round brilliant cut, which can make diamonds with different clarity grades more brilliant.

2. Consider Buying an Antique Diamond

Some people prefer antique jewelry because it’s one of a kind. If you’re looking for an antique IF clarity diamond that no one else has, you can find a one-of-a-kind piece from our vintage collection at Estate Diamond Jewelry.

3. Never Shop From an Unreliable Jeweler

You need to be careful when buying a diamond engagement ring, especially if you plan to get it online. If you’re going to spend a lot of money on a diamond, make sure you buy it from a reputable jeweler. The last thing you want is to receive a diamond that looks nothing like the photo. Shopping from a reliable jeweler will give you peace of mind. Not only will you avoid getting scammed, but you’ll also receive the best value for the money.

4. The Lower Carat Trick

It’s natural to want a big rock, but sometimes, bigger isn’t better. Not to mention that Internally flawless diamonds are particularly expensive. Getting a smaller carat size will allow you to focus on other characteristics while staying within your budget. You don’t have to get a 0.5-carat diamond, just go a little bit under.

Instead of buying a 2-carat diamond, opt for a 1.99-carat diamond. Similarly, if you don’t want to pay the price of a 1-carat diamond, choose a 0.99-carat diamond instead. Even though the variances in size are minimal, the prices are quite different.

5. The Diamond Should Be GIA-Certified

The better the diamond seems, the bigger the risk of getting scammed. That’s why you should always ask for a diamond certificate that proves it’s an IF diamond. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) is responsible for assessing a diamond’s clarity, so make sure to ask for a GIA certificate. This is especially important for diamonds that have a VVS2 clarity and higher.

6. Don’t Be Afraid to Go Yellow

Since internally flawless diamonds are pricey, you might have to give up other characteristics to stay within budget. If you’re thinking about getting an IF clarity diamond with a yellow tint, don’t worry. There are a few ways you can minimize the yellow tint. The easiest method is with a yellow-gold mounting. Instead of choosing a setting that will create a sharp contrast and maximize the yellow undertones, a yellow gold mounting will make it blend in.

7. Negotiate the Price of the Diamond

If you’re unhappy with the price of an IF clarity diamond you like, there are ways to reduce it without giving up the diamond’s quality. It’s possible to negotiate a lower price. You may also find a promo code on the website or ask for a discount. This way, you’ll be able to get a 5% to 15% reduction in the total price.

If you want to know more about negotiating on your engagement ring, you’ll find lots of useful tips in this article.

Guide to Purchasing an IF Clarity Diamond Ring

If you’re planning to buy an IF clarity diamond ring, these are some of the things you need to consider.

When people shop for diamond rings, they normally want to see the diamond in person. If the diamond is GIA-certified, and if you buy from a reputable jeweler, this won’t be necessary. Internally flawless diamonds won’t have any eye-visible inclusions. So, as long as you’re shopping from a reputable company, you don’t need to be afraid to order an internally flawless diamond online.

Not all jewelry stores will have IF diamonds. Some jewelers only sell IF diamonds in their stores, so you might not be able to find them online. If you can’t find IF diamonds on their website, you can ask them directly. Finding the perfect internally flawless diamond might take some time, so don’t give up quickly.

Researching online to better educate yourself on what diamond to purchase will help you make an educated choice and reduce the chances of being sold something you don’t want.

If you want to buy a loose diamond, you’ll have to know exactly how to set it. To avoid overcomplicating matters, it’s better to buy a pre-mounted diamond.

IF-clarity diamonds come in various settings, like solitaire, halo, and three-stone. Choose a setting that accentuates the ring’s clarity and brilliance. Solitaire settings are always a good option, but halo-style settings are the way to go if you want that wow effect.

Talk to a Diamond Expert

Interanlly flawless diamonds are quite rare as they only account for 1% of all the diamonds ever found in the world.

If you need some help sourcing out perfect IF clarity diamond, fill out the form below. We’ll be happy to help you find the diamond ring of your dreams.