Gemstone Education

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Gemstone Clarity & Grading
Gems are usually graded by a type (1, 2,or 3) and by clarity (VVS, VS, SI, etc.). Below are the grading criteria used by the Gemological Institute of America for colored gems:

Type 1 gemstones are stones that are usually free of inclusions. This group includes gems in the quartz family, like amethyst and citrine, topaz, zircon, and beryls, like aquamarine.

Clarity in the type 1 group is classified as VVS (minute to detectable), VS (minor), SI1 (noticeable), SI2 (obvious) or I (included).
Type 2 gemstones include garnet, iolite, alexandrite, ruby, sapphire, or peridot.
Clarity in the type 2 group is classified as VVS (minor), VS (noticeable), SI1 (obvious), SI2 (prominent), or I (prominent, affecting appearance).
Type 3 gemstones are stones that almost always have inclusions. This group includes emerald and red tourmaline.
Clarity in the type 3 group is classified as VVS (noticeable), VS (Obvious), SI1 (prominent), SI2 (more prominent), or I1 (affecting appearance or durability).

For example, if you are looking at a stone that is VVS type 2, that means that it is a type 2 stone with minute inclusions that may be visible only under 10x magnification. On the other hand, A VS type 3 has inclusions that are easily visible to the naked eye.

Some sellers may use simpler terms to describe the clarity of their gemstones.

For example:

Clean - no inclusions visible under 10x magnification.
Eye-clean - inclusions not visible to the naked eye.
VVS, VS, or SI - Inclusions visible to the naked eye, but still a beautiful gem.
Included - numerous inclusions that affect the beauty of the gem.

Knowing this terminology will help you make an informed decision when buying colored gemstones from a jeweler. There are several great books on gemstones and gemstone buying on the market. For more information, check out "Gemstones of the World" by Walter Schumann, and "Jewelry and Gems, the Buying Guide" by Matlins and Bonano. Both of these books are a great resource for learning about gemstones. Our gemstones lean to the more natural states of stones, tumbled, pebbles or made into beads. We at Shimmerlings do not work a great deal with simply setting stones into our creations.

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