Is it true that IF and FL clarity grades mean that a diamond doesn't have any inclusion or flaws?

That is true – IF – Internally Flawless and FL Flawless. Admittadly most people buy this clarity grade as they have to have the most perfect diamond for their most perfect gal. You can get a very clean diamond as long as you stay above an VS1 or greater.

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The difference between FL and IF relies on the existence of diamond blemishes on the diamond's surface. In diamonds of clarity grade FL not single imperfection is present, including tiny scratches or 'naturals', which are small regions where polished wasn't completed. Such blemishes do exist in diamonds of IF clarity. Still, IF grade is still very esteemed, since it is understood that obtaining a diamond with no blemishes is very unlikely (and even if one obtains such a diamond, after wearing it there are good chances that such blemishes would exist). Though, while FL is still more valuable than IF, even to most picky (and wealthy) diamond customers normally don't see any problem with "settling" for an IF diamond.

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There's no such thing as a diamond with perfect clarity. The clarity scale most diamond labs use is the most reasonable one, choosing the clarity range that is most relevant for both diamond experts and common consumers. Still, a diamond cannot be perfect. An IF diamond has no inclusions detected by gemologists under 10X magnification. This magnification has been agreed to be big enough for almost any purpose, and therefore an IF diamond is flawless in terms of diamond jewelry or in any other usage by humans.

If an IF diamond however would be views in 50X or 100X magnification than I bet that several, or should I say numerous, inclusions could be detected. I'm sure that some gemologists enjoy viewing a diamond with such intense magnification, but there's no need to add additional clarity grades, since an IF diamond is of extremely high clarity by our human senses, no need to increase the resolution to levels of an hawk (or an ant:)).

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Here's a definition I found on this site:

"FL - Flawless - The diamond doesn't possess any internal or external inclusions. Gemologists cannot detect any clarity flaws in such a diamond, even while using 10X magnification.
IF - Internally Flawless - The same as the above FL, only in an IF diamond there could be some tiny imperfections in the clarity which are due to some slips in diamond polish."

As you can understand, FL is basically a perfect diamond in terms of clarity, while IF can have some very subtle imperfections. I think it is safe enough to say that an FL diamond is flawless.

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The difference between FL and IF relies on the existence of diamond blemishes on the diamond's surface. In diamonds of clarity grade FL not single imperfection is present, including tiny scratches or 'naturals', which are small regions where polished wasn't completed. Such blemishes do exist in diamonds of IF clarity. Still, IF grade is still very esteemed, since it is understood that obtaining a diamond with no blemishes is very unlikely (and even if one obtains such a diamond, after wearing it there are good chances that such blemishes would exist). Though, while FL is still more valuable than IF, even to most picky (and wealthy) diamond customers normally don't see any problem with "settling" for an IF diamond.

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