Show me your SI1 I diamond

I wish I could! But I only have a crappy point and shoot, which does not do close-ups. Even if it could, it's currently broken

BUT, I can tell you about my Si1 I color engagement ring! It's a Hearts on Fire, so the cut is one of the best available. This really makes it sparkle. In daylight it faces up incredibly white. I would have put it at an E. If you are going for an I, Si1, I would make sure that the cut is top-notch, such as super-ideal, or AGS triple 0, with Excellent polish and symmetry too. You can also run the stone's number through the Holloway Cut Advisor. I think my stone scored a 0.8 or 0.9.

Anyway, what I'm trying to say is that stones in the clarity and color range that you mention can look amazing and like much, much higher specs if the cut is an amazing one. The main difference between my diamond and higher color grades is that, in dim light (such as a restaurant) the stone is not as "icy". It has a warm fire to it with many different colors shooting out of it, which I like. But in daylight, it faces up super-white.

In terms of the clarity, mine does have a small black mark on the table. But I can only see that with x30 magnification. If I ever needed to indentify it, I know exactly where that mark is, ha ha! If the internal marks of a stone don't interfere with its fire, and it's not below Si2, then clarity means nothing to me. However, some people like to know their diamond is as flawless as budget will allow. But I'm all about the cut first and the color second.

So, in a nutshell, go for an I, Si1, but make sure you've got a great cut and examine it first to ensure you're OK with its internal flaws.

Good luck! Sorry for no photo, but I'm not sure it would photograph well anyway.

The only thing I can add is make sure it is a true SI1. Mine ended up being SI2. It has an excellent cut - I believe 1.7 on HCA. I have pretty good close up vision and cannot see anything. With 10X it has 2 white inclusions on the table - probably needles. There are probably other things in there as well. As long as you are getting what you pay for and are comfortable with it, no one else is going to notice it.

Color is subjective and depends how sensitive you are.

Thank you Smith1940 for the helpful hints. I'm not a super expert on stones so hopefully the stone I have put aside with my jeweller is a good one. I saw it in person 1 month ago and it looked clear, white and the cut was beautiful (H&A). But i'm finding since I've been on this forum I'm hearing such mixed review's and it's making me nervous. Here are the details;

1.61 ct
SI1
1
Cute grade: Ideal H&A
7.50 - 7.47 x 4.69 mm

I have a VS2 I 1ct currently and it's so clear and white. I'm just concerned with the upgrade (even though I'm downgrading on the clarity) that the stones is still going to be clear and not too white. I'll upload some pics here, again these are taken from my BB so their not the best, not to mention the stones are sitting on a dark wood table. (hump....)

Would love to hear your input!

Here is one pic!

Attachments

Stones1.jpg (242.2 KiB) Viewed 245 times

Here's the 2nd!

Attachments

Stones2.jpg (318.2 KiB) Viewed 245 times

The stones look lovely! Unfortunately I'm not a diamond expert so can't really advise you further - I just know that I had fun running the stone's number through the Holloway Cut Advisor. You will need the table percentage, depth percentage, crown angle, and pavilion angle. Since you are not buying online, I'm not sure if the jeweler will give you that info. (I'm assuming it's a certified diamond - that info will be on the cert.) In terms of certification, I'd stick with GIA or AGS. EGL, and the other lab beginning with I, are known to be not as good.

I have a 1.6 ct SI1 stone and can't see a thing in it even under magnification. Here's a very enlarged picture of it. You can definitely find a completely eye clean SI1 stone.

Attachments

di stone.bmp (299.12 KiB) Viewed 199 times

Thanks Alene, your diamond is lovely. What colour is it? Do you have any pictures of it in a setting that you can post and in daylight?

Thanks! It's an H color. Don't have great pictures in daylight but here's one to give you an idea.

Attachments

nbandsonhand.JPG (102.1 KiB) Viewed 146 times

Beautiful, it looks so shiny. Do you have a bezel setting? Can you post a head on shot too? Sorry Alene! tee hee