Best Places to Buy IF Clarity Diamonds Online (in 2023)

Last Updated on June 27, 2023 by Juli "Jewels" Church

As a diamond enthusiast with a penchant for perfection, I've spent years searching for the best place to buy IF clarity diamonds that combine flawless beauty with unparalleled value.

With countless retailers vying for your attention, it can be a daunting task to find the right source for these exquisite gems.

IF diamonds internally flawless featured image

Fear not, fellow diamond lovers!

I've done the legwork and compiled a list of the top destinations for procuring these rare and breathtaking jewels, ensuring that you find the perfect IF clarity diamond to make any occasion truly unforgettable.

Top Places To Buy IF Diamonds Online

  1. My Top Pick: James Allen
  2. Great Selection: Blue Nile

1. James Allen

james allen diamonds landing page

Our top pick for the best place to browse and purchase an internally flawless diamond is James Allen. They have 360˚ degree viewing technology on each and every one of their diamonds. They offer high-quality IF diamonds (min color H, 1+ carats, ideal and very good cuts) in varying diamond shapes. 

I researched James Allen diamonds and found that they are all certified by either the GIA, AGS, or IGI. You should avoid IGI diamonds (for mined diamonds) because of their loose guidelines.

As I compared prices, I noticed that a near colorless 1 carat internally flawless diamond at James Allen starts at about $3,000 on the low end, all the way up to a whopping $1,000,000 15 carat IF diamond!

However, don't fret as the full selection of around 10,000 IF diamonds starts at just 0.30 carats.

Their diamonds are conflict-free, and I verified that they are priced cheaper than any diamond you'll find at a mega retailer like Kay or Zales. Neither of those stores even carry IF diamonds online or in-store for that matter. Those have to be specially ordered.

However, at James Allen, I could easily inspect and choose from their full selection of IF diamonds which I found to provide a ton of convenience over the brick and mortar retailers.

Even though you don't necessarily need a 360˚ viewer for IF diamonds since they should all be free of visible blemishes, I appreciated being able to check out the brilliance and cut shape of the stone in real time.

In my experience, James Allen has the best viewer around. I love that I can easily control it. Other places don't always give you that option.

If you have any questions, you can even click "Chat with an Expert" and consult a professional who will go over every detail with you.

You can also inquire and request to review the grading report for the diamond you're looking at, which I believe is a vitally important feature to ensure you are actually receiving the quality of diamond you are looking to purchase.

James Allen live chat callout

When you purchase IF diamonds and fine jewelry with James Allen, they provide a lifetime warranty that covers all routine maintenance, helping you maintain your ring in fantastic condition for years to come.

You have the option of mailing it directly to James Allen or taking it to select Jared stores for repair, but you do have to pay shipping.

All in all, I found the IF selection at James Allen to be impressive along with the smooth buying experience from their website.

Pros

  • Over 3,000 high quality 1+ carat IF diamonds 
  • Live chat with diamond experts
  • Free Lifetime Warranty
  • Easy to use 360˚ viewer

Cons

  • Have to pay shipping when redeeming warranty

2. Blue Nile

blue nile homepage

Blue Nile is a popular choice for IF diamonds because they hold the second largest collection of 1 carat (min) diamonds with H and above color grades. With a total of over 6,500 different internally flawless diamonds to choose from, you're bound to find the right IF diamond for you. 

That's a lot of diamonds to sort through, so they have very specific filters you can use to sort out the diamonds you don't want. For example, one thing I don't like is that Blue Nile doesn't offer 360˚ viewing on all their natural diamonds.

Thankfully, IF diamonds should be pretty much clear under magnification anyway, but I think it's still nice to be able to see it before you buy it.

Blue Nile diamond filters

But if you click the filter for 360˚ view, you can see that narrows 1700 down to just over 1100. Likewise, you can go more specific--right down polish and symmetry, or even diamond fluorescence. These advanced filters will help you really narrow down the best IF diamonds Blue Nile has to offer. 

While most our picks have advanced filters, I found none of them get this specific. I also like that all of Blue Nile's IF diamonds are GIA certified. No worries about finding the perfect diamond to find out it's certified by a lower tier lab like IGI (with the exception of lab diamonds).

Colorless 1 carat IF diamonds at Blue Nile will have you looking at prices with a minimum of $8,000 and continue to skyrocket past $15,000. Near colorless 1 carat IF diamonds will be a minimum of $5,700 up to $10,000.

As you can tell, these are pretty pricey in comparison to our #1 pick above, James Allen. Still, I guarantee it's cheaper than somewhere like Jared or Zales. 

Despite their higher prices, Blue Nile remains to be a fan favorite, probably in due part to their 24/7 customer service and long standing reputation as the first online diamond retailer. 

Blue Nile customer letter

The biggest downside about Blue Nile is the warranty they offer with their jewelry. I discovered the warranty doesn't cover retipping the prongs of your IF diamond that hold it in place, nor rhodium plating white gold ring settings for it. 

Your IF diamond engagement ring will need maintenance over the years, so make sure you find a good jeweler do carry out those repairs for you. 

Pros

  • 24/7 customer service
  • Over 1,700 1 carat IF diamonds
  • Special diamond filters for easy sorting
  • All diamonds are GIA certified

Cons

  • 360˚ view on some diamonds
  • Warranty won't cover routine repairs

How We Selected The Best IF Diamond Retailers

Selection

I browsed various online and brick-and-mortar retailers, focusing on their IF clarity diamond offerings. I compared each store's range of cuts, colors, and carats to ensure I had a comprehensive understanding of the best options available in the market.

Quality

I researched each retailer's reputation and certification process to authenticate the quality of their IF clarity diamonds. I also inquired about their ethical sourcing practices and conflict-free status to make sure I was supporting responsible businesses.

Settings and Jewelry Available

I inspected the variety of settings and jewelry pieces available for IF clarity diamonds at each retailer. I customized my search to include engagement rings, necklaces, and earrings to find the most versatile and aesthetically pleasing options for this high-quality product.

Pricing

I compared the prices of different retailers for various IF clarity diamond purchases to determine where the best value is offered. I checked for add-ons such as extended warranties and routine repair coverage.

Website Experience

I assessed the user-friendliness of each retailer's website, focusing on their search filters, educational resources, and high-resolution diamond images. I valued a seamless online experience that allowed me to easily browse, research, and purchase IF clarity diamonds.

In-Person Experience

I visited several physical stores to get a feel for their in-person shopping experience. I consulted with sales representatives to learn more about their IF clarity diamonds and gauge their level of expertise and professionalism.

My Experience

Throughout my search, I reviewed and documented my experiences with each retailer, considering factors such as the quality of customer service, the ease of the purchasing process, and the overall satisfaction with my chosen IF clarity diamond options.

Customer Service

I paid close attention to each retailer's customer service, evaluating their responsiveness to my inquiries and their willingness to assist me. I also reviewed their return and exchange policies, and I appreciated retailers that offered insurance coverage and professional appraisals for my IF clarity diamond.

Additional Buying Options

These stores are among the best places to buy IF clarity diamonds, offering a variety of options for customers to choose from. However, it is important to note that we have not vetted all of them, and our top recommendation from our own research is James Allen.

Online stores such as James Allen, Blue Nile, Whiteflash, Brilliant Earth, Ritani, Brian Gavin Diamonds, Leibish & Co., Vrai, and Ada Diamonds are well-known for their extensive collections and user-friendly platforms that make it easy to find and purchase the perfect IF clarity diamond.

Brick and mortar retailers like Tiffany & Co., Harry Winston, Cartier, Borsheims, Bulgari, Chopard, Boucheron, Van Cleef & Arpels, Graff Diamonds, Buccellati, and Helzberg Diamonds offer an in-person shopping experience, where customers can consult with experts and view IF clarity diamonds up close before making a decision.

These luxury retailers are renowned for their high-quality diamonds and exceptional customer service.

Buying IF Diamonds Online FAQs

Are IF Diamonds Expensive Or Cheap?

Internally flawless diamonds are going to be some of the most expensive diamonds you can find. After all, they are the second highest tier on the GIA's clarity scale

But, because diamond quality is assessed by measuring the other 3 Cs, it's hard to give an exact numerical figure. 

Internally flawless diamonds account for less than 1% of diamonds in the jewelry industry, so you can already imagine how pricey they can get. 

Pricey, huh?

It might surprise you to know that most physical jewelry stores like Kay and Zales charge even more than that. Many brick and mortar retailers don't keep any in their inventory because they are not often requested due to the sky-high prices. 

If you're looking for an affordable IF diamond online, you'll have to toggle with your diamond grades, like color and carat weight. This only works if you're buying from a retailer that allows you to choose your diamond grades, like any of the four jewelry stores on our list today. 

diamond color scale

How do I pick the best IF diamond online?

IF diamonds are extremely clear, so they should be accompanied by diamond cut and color grades that are higher tiers as well. You'd be surprised at how many people own faint yellow diamonds with IF clarity and think it's a high quality ring. 

Keep in mind that the price of your diamond will increase exponentially as your carat weight increases. If you're committed to buying an IF diamond, but saving a little more money, you should decrease carat weight. It's much harder to cut a large internally flawless diamond. 

round diamond carat weights graph

You want to keep a near colorless or colorless color grade. Lower color grades like J, K, and L, may look more yellow in a clearer diamond, especially if it is a larger carat weight. Can you see the difference in color between this 1 carat round IF diamond and the 2 carat IF diamond?

Do you need IF clarity diamonds?

You don't need to have IF clarity to have a high quality diamond. High quality IF diamonds (with higher diamond grades all around) can be crazy expensive for some, myself included. And for most, you can't tell the difference between IF and VVS diamonds with the naked eye. 

Like I said, IF diamonds are pretty rare. If you can afford it, why not be one of the few to own one? But if you can't, never fear. You can buy lower clarity grades that are eye-clean of blemishes or inclusions if you choose a retailer with a 360˚ viewer. Our favorite is James Allen. 

By using a viewer online, you can determine which lower tier clarity grades like VS or SI might have clear diamonds. 

Do IF diamonds need to be certified?

Absolutely. You really shouldn't buy a diamond anywhere without a certification. Unfortunately, there are a ton of grading labs, each with their own style of grading. 

We only recommend buying natural diamonds with AGS or GIA certification. GIA certified diamonds are the best in the industry. These certifications are the top in the industry. For lab diamonds, we recommend GIA or IGI. 

IF diamond most definitely need GIA or AGS certification because they ensure that you are getting exactly what you're paying for. How mad would you be if you found out your diamond was two grades lower than what you paid for? That's why you need certification from the top labs.

You can learn everything else about IF clarity in our IF diamond guide.

Get Your IF Diamonds At...

In conclusion, my extensive research points to James Allen as the best place to buy IF clarity diamonds. 

With their impressive selection of over 3,000 high-quality 1+ carat IF diamonds, intuitive 360˚ viewer, and exceptional customer service through live chat with diamond experts, your shopping experience will be smooth and informative. 

Their free lifetime warranty ensures your investment is protected for years to come. So, when it's time to purchase that perfect IF clarity diamond, look no further than James Allen for a hassle-free and rewarding experience.

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