FL and IF (flawless, internally flawless)
The top two clarity grades: FL shows no inclusions or blemishes under 10x magnification, IF shows no inclusions but has blemishes.
How to read it
On the GIA clarity scale, the global system of 11 grades, Flawless (FL) means no inclusions and no blemishes are visible under 10x magnification, and Internally Flawless (IF) means no inclusions are visible, though the stone has blemishes. The FTC’s jewelry guides set the same test for the word flawless: no flaws, inclusions or blemishes of any sort when examined at 10-power by a person skilled in diamond grading.
Also searched as: FL, flawless diamond, IF, internally flawless.
Grades describe a stone as a grading laboratory saw it. This page explains the grading scales; it doesn’t grade or value any stone.
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Read next
- Next in Diamond gradingVVS1 and VVS2 (very, very slightly included)Very, very slightly included: inclusions so slight they are difficult for a skilled grader to see under 10x magnification.
- The same shape in Accessibility symbolsClosed captioning symbol (CC)CC means closed captioning: the dialogue and other sounds of a programme shown as text on screen, which viewers can turn on or off. It is mainly for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.
More diamond grading
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Sources
- Diamond Clarity (GIA 4Cs), Gemological Institute of America
- Guides for the Jewelry, Precious Metals, and Pewter Industries (16 CFR Part 23), 16 CFR Part 23 (1 January 2021 edition), Federal Trade Commission, published by the U.S. Government Publishing Office, § 23.13(a)
- Diamond Quality Factors (GIA), Gemological Institute of America, Clarity
Researched, edited and approved by Rory Hansen before publishing. Last reviewed September 27, 2026. How we research
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