2.05 G SI2 - Pls help me evaluate this diamond

[icy_jade]

Hi PS-ers, will really appreciate your thoughts on this diamond as I need to make a decision soon...

Any concerns/things I should look out for? Feeling very nervous about pulling the trigger so really appreciate you chiming in!

Also pls have a look at the video - I’m concerned about the SI2 clarity and had requested for eye clean at 6 inches, various angles.

Did see some inclusions in the video but I think maybe not so visible when it’s just 8 mm instead of magnified on my screen? What do you think?

Specs
Measurement: 8.19 - 8.2 x 5.05 mm
Table size 55.1%
Total depth 61.7%
Pavilion angle 40.8°
Crown angle 34.3°


Link to Video
http://handshake2.jivesystems.com/videos/dmlslgyqvt?tag=129021

Pics
Arrows and hearts don’t look perfect?

Visible inclusions?

 

[TreeScientist]

I think it looks beautiful @icy_jade! Really clear and transparent for a SI2. As Wink said in the video, the twinning wisps are a bit visible from the side, but from the top I can hardly see a thing. I would've thought that twinning wisps would be more visible than this if they were the grade-setting inclusion in a SI2, but they are really well placed in this diamond to not affect the transparency. Just shows how much forethought CBI puts into purchasing rough prior to the cutting stage to ensure their polished diamonds come out beautiful.

Given that this is from HPD and they stand behind their diamonds 100% with the lifetime trade-up and 80% buy-back guarantee, I wouldn't have any hesitations going ahead with this diamond.

 

[Dancing Fire]

Beautiful proportions! If I was gonna buy an SI2 stone Wink is the man to buy from.

 

[Matthews1127]

No fear. Beautiful SI2!! Pull the trigger!!
How will you set it?

 

[SimoneDi]

I adore this stone and its tiny table! This is probably the best SI2 that you can get. I also have an SI2 from one of the other super ideal vendors and have never had any concern about the stone, it is perfectly eye-clean. This is my second SI2 diamond and my very first diamond was a VS1. Eye-clean is eye-clean to me. You can always give it a try and upgrade the stone down the road if the clarity ever bothers you

 

[Luce]

Wow, this is a beautiful SI2. I also think you should snag it before a lurker grabs it!!!

 

[icy_jade]

Thank you @TreeScientist , @Matthews1127 , @SimoneDi , @Luce

@TreeScientist @SimoneDi I’m hesitant because I’m not from the US so purchases/trade-ins etc are tougher. Happen to have a trip to US coming up so this is a unique opportunity. Plus so many people on the other thread think I should stick to a pear...

@Luce it’s currently on hold but I’ve been asked to make a decision soon and then pay first and return if really not happy...

@Matthews1127 I have something in mind but will create another thread if I go ahead...

=====

Just to share an interesting thread re: twinning wisps in case helpful to anyone in the same situation (I went through many threads... )
https://www.pricescope.com/communit...how-exactly-does-it-affect-brilliance.199865/

And I learnt that the order of inclusion being mentioned makes a diff, ie

If the stone is say SI2 and above 1ct and TW is the only inclusion mentioned on the list that I would expect a dulling of light to be happening.
If an SI stone had say a:
crystal
feather
twinning wisp

In that order
Then it would not be an issue.

Garry, I never knew inclusion order mattered in the certs. The worse inclusions are always listed first?

correct

 

[icy_jade]

So for this diamond, the inclusion order is:


Ok so fits the advice given by @Garry H (Cut Nut) [me: yay!]

And then the comment says:


Ok, so when I looked at the video on the AGS site (I love this feature!!!), I can actually see most of the inclusions plotted and surface graining.

- Am I right to think that they should not be visible irl?

- Also are the twinning wisps are translucent or dark? I’ve read that translucent wisps are fine but dark ones are usually not great? How do you tell from pics/videos if they are translucent or dark?

- And one more question... the AGS light performance map is not showing perfect arrows. Is this something to be concerned about?

 

[SimoneDi]

@icy_jade my SI2 is also based on twinning wisps. Since you are purchasing from a super ideal vendor who vets diamonds for performance, you literally have nothing to be worried about performance-wise. You just need to be comfortable with the grading yourself.

 

[yssie]

Since you are purchasing from a super ideal vendor who vets diamonds for performance, you literally have nothing to be worried about performance-wise. You just need to be comfortable with the grading yourself.

Absolutely ditto this.

Check with your CBI retailer re. inclusion visibility, and make sure visibility meets your personal requirements for both “eye” clean and “mind” clean.

Don’t give concerns about effects of inclusions on structural stability or light return a second thought: if there was any question whatsoever of compromise on these fronts the stone wouldn’t be a CBI, period.

The AGS image is generated from a proportions scan and is both less accurate and less precise than the images CBI provides. Again, nothing to worry about.

I know that you’re not in the US... edited - is there any way to see the gem in-person? You do seem to have a lot of concerns about various aspects of this purchase and there’s just nothing like seeing the specimen to figure out how you feel!

Edit - I believe I misunderstood:
SITBI is a HPD offering. It is not generic to all CBI retailers. Can @Wink, @Winks_Elf, or @LaylaR confirm?

 

[Blingalingaling]

I'm glad you found something so beautiful, so quickly! That's wonderful and judging from what others are saying, it looks like this might be a winner!!!
I'm not an expert on round stones, but I have a 3.40 ct. D SI2 pear shaped diamond that I absolutely love! It is eye clean, with tiny crystals on the top and a tiny feather, none of which can be seen, even though I keep trying, lol!
I live in the U.S., but I understand, and I'm learning, that the value we place on color and clarity of diamonds here is not necessarily the same as in other cultures and countries.
I've not hesitated to buy a high color, lower clarity eye-clean stone, especially in a brilliant cut! I've enjoyed having the bright white, sparkly diamond on my hand. This diamond was available to me at a price I could afford with a trade I did. If it had been a VS2 or an SI1, as long as it was in my price range, I'd have bought it. I wasn't looking at clarity so much as color, size, "eye-cleanliness" and affordability. Nobody knows what the clarity is-no one has ever asked me-but I do get lots of compliments on my diamond ring! And, although the jeweler's policy from whom I bought the stone is 2x the price paid for the stone, he is willing to "work with me" in the future if I want to trade it.
Good luck to you and I'll be following along to see which way you go with this and what you decide to do with your stone once you get it!

 

[icy_jade]

@icy_jade my SI2 is also based on twinning wisps. Since you are purchasing from a super ideal vendor who vets diamonds for performance, you literally have nothing to be worried about performance-wise. You just need to be comfortable with the grading yourself.

Going down to SI2 seems to be the best way for me to get the size and performance I want... I’ve gone through the HPD online inventory multiple times and I couldn’t find another diamond in my desired budget (in fact this is already over my initial budget), with the desired size, and where the inclusions didn’t horrify me... I know that, but I’m not confident enough in my ability to “read” the diamond pics and videos if that makes sense? I’m rubbish at buying pearls from pics for example. :roll

Absolutely ditto this.

Check with your CBI retailer re. inclusion visibility, and make sure visibility meets your personal requirements for both “eye” clean and “mind” clean.

Don’t give concerns about effects of inclusions on structural stability or light return a second thought: if there was any question whatsoever of compromise on these fronts the stone wouldn’t be a CBI, period.

The AGS image is generated from a proportions scan and is both less accurate and less precise than the images CBI provides. Again, nothing to worry about.

I know that you’re not in the US... is there any way you could take advantage of CBI’s SITBI programme? You do seem to have a lot of concerns about various aspects of this purchase and there’s just nothing like seeing the specimen to figure out how you feel!

I’ll check with Layla again and thanks for allaying my fears re the AGS image.

Once the diamond is shipped over think I’ll have to pay taxes and I don’t think I can get a refund. That’s 7% of the total price!

Yeah so not an option. As I mentioned, the diamond is on hold but I’ve been asked to decide/pay first and it will be within the refund window by the time I actually see it in end-July when I visit US...

 

[yssie]

Once the diamond is shipped over think I’ll have to pay taxes and I don’t think I can get a refund. That’s 7% of the total price!

 

[icy_jade]

I'm glad you found something so beautiful, so quickly! That's wonderful and judging from what others are saying, it looks like this might be a winner!!!
I'm not an expert on round stones, but I have a 3.40 ct. D SI2 pear shaped diamond that I absolutely love! It is eye clean, with tiny crystals on the top and a tiny feather, none of which can be seen, even though I keep trying, lol!
I live in the U.S., but I understand, and I'm learning, that the value we place on color and clarity of diamonds here is not necessarily the same as in other cultures and countries.
I've not hesitated to buy a high color, lower clarity eye-clean stone, especially in a brilliant cut! I've enjoyed having the bright white, sparkly diamond on my hand. This diamond was available to me at a price I could afford with a trade I did. If it had been a VS2 or an SI1, as long as it was in my price range, I'd have bought it. I wasn't looking at clarity so much as color, size, "eye-cleanliness" and affordability. Nobody knows what the clarity is-no one has ever asked me-but I do get lots of compliments on my diamond ring! And, although the jeweler's policy from whom I bought the stone is 2x the price paid for the stone, he is willing to "work with me" in the future if I want to trade it.
Good luck to you and I'll be following along to see which way you go with this and what you decide to do with your stone once you get it!

Your pear is an absolute dream. I do really do adore pears in halos.

But with a RB it’s already so hard for me to decide what more a pear?? Lol. So yeah, also probably makes sense to pull the trigger soon instead of waiting for the right pear for another few years... at least I can then start to enjoy the diamond on my hand instead of pining for one.

Where I am most diamonds are super white so I guess not so white diamonds are more obvious. And diamonds also have high clarity so having a SI is really really rare. Most of the reputable stores don’t stock SI grade diamonds.

 

[Blingalingaling]

But who is going to ask you what the clarity grade of your diamond is? I can honestly tell you, and I have friends who own huge, gorgeous diamonds - much larger than mine - I've never asked any of them, nor have I eaves dropped on any conversations that included the color or clarity of their diamonds! It would be considered gauche! (And as I mentioned, no one has ever asked me.) Here at PS, we can (anonymously) expound on our innermost thoughts about our diamonds, and that is GREAT!!
It sounds to me like you want to have a super-white diamond, which is fine and you should, especially if you say that a lower color one would be more obvious in your circles, but would anyone question you about the clarity grade of your stone on its Cert?
If it's a given that stores in your area don't stock SI stones, would it even occur to anyone that yours is an SI? (Maybe they would, but do you have to tell them?)
I think, FWIW, that you should find a stone that you love with the size, color and clarity that you can enjoy and wear with confidence. It's that confidence that will deter anyone from asking you for the "intimate details" of your stone.
Wear it with pride!

 

[icy_jade]

But who is going to ask you what the clarity grade of your diamond is? I can honestly tell you, and I have friends who own huge, gorgeous diamonds - much larger than mine - I've never asked any of them, nor have I eaves dropped on any conversations that included the color or clarity of their diamonds! It would be considered gauche! (And as I mentioned, no one has ever asked me.) Here at PS, we can (anonymously) expound on our innermost thoughts about our diamonds, and that is GREAT!!
It sounds to me like you want to have a super-white diamond, which is fine and you should, especially if you say that a lower color one would be more obvious in your circles, but would anyone question you about the clarity grade of your stone on its Cert?
If it's a given that stores in your area don't stock SI stones, would it even occur to anyone that yours is an SI? (Maybe they would, but do you have to tell them?)
I think, FWIW, that you should find a stone that you love with the size, color and clarity that you can enjoy and wear with confidence. It's that confidence that will deter anyone from asking you for the "intimate details" of your stone.
Wear it with pride!

But who is going to ask you what the clarity grade of your diamond is?
Quite normal to ask in Asia? At least among friends it’s like really really normal...

you want to have a super-white diamond
I don’t like diamonds with yellowish tinge...

Maybe they would, but do you have to tell them?
No but I also won’t lie so I probably will tell...

It's that confidence that will deter anyone from asking you for the "intimate details" of your stone.
Nothing to do with confidence! It’s a nosy Asian thing I guess. N to be honest I’m used to it so it doesn’t offend me the least.

 

[Blingalingaling]

LOL! Ok, I can appreciate the cultural differences and understand your concerns!

 

[GolfingGreen]

@icy_jade On the Asians asking clarity, color.... I agree Asian culture is more open and Asians will even ask price. It is not being rude and they will also state their honest opinion on what they think and not sugar-coat it like Americans. It’s sometimes refreshing actually and I value the honesty.

I think if this is common where you live, as long as you love it and don’t feel like you need to defend the diamond, get it.

But if you feel you have to defend the stone and say “it’s a SI stone, BUT... it’s a super ideal, it’s perfectly cut”... if you feel you have to use the word BUT.... to explain your stone, I would maybe rethink the SI choice.

I think even if you love it, if in Asian culture you will feel bad/embarassed, it is not worth spending so much money on a stone that in your heart, you wish it were something else but had to settle.

So... after reading this... my vote has changed to a pear! Why? Because you can talk more about the beautiful shape of the pear and it will not be compared to other super white high clarity round diamonds in your culture. You will be unique! This is especially since you say SI stones are not sold readily in Asia so it would be like an I clarity stone here for Americans and I would say no one here would get an I stone. Normalizing cultures, I don’t think an I color stone would be viewed as a quality stone in America, regardless if it were super ideal or not.

That’s my new vote!

Bu my true gut for you says get a VS2.

 

[Madsal]

@icy_jade I totally agree with all of them. no doubt this diamond is a stunner.

I think it's now a matter of whether you can accept the SI clarity and be mind clean enough about it or not

I think it's all about perception. A person can see a glass half full or half empty.
You can feel like you are settling for less (which is why from what I read people with SI2 diamonds often trade up their diamond for a better clarity regardless of it being quite eye clean), be bugged about the inclusion, or feel like you are scoring a unicorn.

My sister has a pair of either MMD or synthetic diamond studs i am not sure that looks exactly like the real thing (at least I can't see the difference), but she rarely wear them because she feels self conscious about it. Again, it's all in the mind.

So I think it depends on you and do update us on your decision

I think it looks beautiful @icy_jade! Really clear and transparent for a SI2. As Wink said in the video, the twinning wisps are a bit visible from the side, but from the top I can hardly see a thing. I would've thought that twinning wisps would be more visible than this if they were the grade-setting inclusion in a SI2, but they are really well placed in this diamond to not affect the transparency. Just shows how much forethought CBI puts into purchasing rough prior to the cutting stage to ensure their polished diamonds come out beautiful.

Given that this is from HPD and they stand behind their diamonds 100% with the lifetime trade-up and 80% buy-back guarantee, I wouldn't have any hesitations going ahead with this diamond.

Beautiful proportions! If I was gonna buy an SI2 stone Wink is the man to buy from.

I adore this stone and its tiny table! This is probably the best SI2 that you can get. I also have an SI2 from one of the other super ideal vendors and have never had any concern about the stone, it is perfectly eye-clean. This is my second SI2 diamond and my very first diamond was a VS1. Eye-clean is eye-clean to me. You can always give it a try and upgrade the stone down the road if the clarity ever bothers you

 

[icy_jade]

@icy_jade On the Asians asking clarity, color.... I agree Asian culture is more open and Asians will even ask price. It is not being rude and they will also state their honest opinion on what they think and not sugar-coat it like Americans. It’s sometimes refreshing actually and I value the honesty.

Erm ya, it’s not seen as being rude... in fact if you are not asked then you know you are being treated like a stranger. I mean like for prices we usually preface with a “do you mind telling me how much you paid” and it’s fine if you choose not to tell but among friends it’s like a totally normal thing, not to mention asking detailed specs etc. I wouldn’t tell someone I barely know for example but if I’ve known that person for a while I’ll usually tell.

Anyway I won’t be embarrassed. It’s more like a... “you know I saved like 9k by finding this eye clean SI can you believe it!!!”... lol. I mean if money is no object I’ll go for a F VS grade diamond but there are many things I can do/buy with the cash you know? Like a G VS2 around the same size costs already 9k more not to mention going higher in color.

I still want a pear but maybe in a few years after I save up my bling fund again?

I think if this is common where you live, as long as you love it and don’t feel like you need to defend the diamond, get it.

But if you feel you have to defend the stone and say “it’s a SI stone, BUT... it’s a super ideal, it’s perfectly cut”... if you feel you have to use the word BUT.... to explain your stone, I would maybe rethink the SI choice.

I think even if you love it, if in Asian culture you will feel bad/embarassed, it is not worth spending so much money on a stone that in your heart, you wish it were something else but had to settle.

So... after reading this... my vote has changed to a pear! Why? Because you can talk more about the beautiful shape of the pear and it will not be compared to other super white high clarity round diamonds in your culture. You will be unique! This is especially since you say SI stones are not sold readily in Asia so it would be like an I clarity stone here for Americans and I would say no one here would get an I stone. Normalizing cultures, I don’t think an I color stone would be viewed as a quality stone in America, regardless if it were super ideal or not.

That’s my new vote!

Bu my true gut for you says get a VS2.

 

[icy_jade]

@icy_jade I totally agree with all of them. no doubt this diamond is a stunner.

I think it's now a matter of whether you can accept the SI clarity and be mind clean enough about it or not

I think it's all about perception. A person can see a glass half full or half empty.
You can feel like you are settling for less (which is why from what I read people with SI2 diamonds often trade up their diamond for a better clarity regardless of it being quite eye clean), be bugged about the inclusion, or feel like you are scoring a unicorn.

My sister has a pair of either MMD or synthetic diamond studs i am not sure that looks exactly like the real thing (at least I can't see the difference), but she rarely wear them because she feels self conscious about it. Again, it's all in the mind.

So I think it depends on you and do update us on your decision

I feel like I’ve decided but am giving myself some cooling off time... will definitely come back and update!

 

[Blingalingaling]

Hi, @icy_jade ! I had some time, so I read through your threads just now to get the full back-story on your journey and I think I found something rather interesting. Your first thread was about whether or not to buy a round stone or to pursue your passion for a pear shaped stone. There are two pear cut stones owned by Pricescopers that you love and consider to be inspirations for your future purchase. One is owned by cflutist, a beautiful F-SI1, and one that you said you truly adore, owned by Phoenix: a 3.5 H SI2 pear in a halo. Both of these happen to be "SI" clarity graded stones and they are both spectacular rings! You love them, so why not pursue something like them, if that could be achievable for you?
What I'm getting from reading all of your posts is that, you are stopping yourself from committing to something that could make you happy, whether it's ultimately a round or a pear, because of what people might think and resale value rather than buying what you love! You wouldn't turn down Phoenix's ring if you could have it, would you?
I think the point that people have made about an SI1 or SI2 being a perfectly valuable, acceptable, even desirable clarity grade have a very good point. What gain is there if you can't get what you love because you need to be able to tell people that the stone is "high color/high clarity"? Especially if the stone is eye clean?
I don't think Americans "sugar coat". Americans are known to be outspoken. And I'm not in favor of lying. In the circles I travel in, people don't generally ask the cost of people's possessions, although if someone was looking to buy something similar to what someone else has, they might ask where you got it or, privately, how much you paid. And I, for one, would not be offended by that. But it's not the norm, especially with something that could have been a gift, like a diamond.
I'm simply posing the question, "is it anybody's business what makes you happy?"
Now, if your question is: "what is it that makes me happy?", that's another story altogether and only you can answer that.

 

[icy_jade]

@Blingalingaling it’s not how you think it is. You first have to understand that SI grades are absolutely not common in my part of the world. So my thread about SI affecting resale price is driven by... lack of knowledge? Plus I was really curious after what @Miki Moto mentioned.

Sure I may not want to sell now, but if I’m getting a car, I will absolutely consider how easy it is to sell when I want to change so why not a diamond? It’s all about getting me to a place where I feel like I’ve made a considered decision and am not jumping in blind.

I have already mentioned many times, I’m not from the US so returns or even trade ins is much harder.

Re my first thread re pear or solitaire or 5 stone, I was just overwhelmed by choices I guess, and with limited budget and I thought getting different perspectives would help, especially as I know many PS-ets have upgraded and changed their rings/gotten new ones over the years and learning from their experience will help. It’s just like how I can give great advice re pearls as I have so much experience and have learnt from all my beginner mistakes. And I did get good advice and I’m glad I asked.

Re: the diamond I sought opinions on, I already mentioned why I asked in that thread.

So I won’t sugarcoat. I’m absolutely offended by your presumptions and assumptions. Maybe you didn’t mean it that way but your projection of my motivations and fears is totally offensive and wrong to boot.

What I'm getting from reading all of your posts is that, you are stopping yourself from committing to something that could make you happy, whether it's ultimately a round or a pear, because of what people might think and resale value rather than buying what you love! You wouldn't turn down Phoenix's ring if you could have it, would you?
I think the point that people have made about an SI1 or SI2 being a perfectly valuable, acceptable, even desirable clarity grade have a very good point. What gain is there if you can't get what you love because you need to be able to tell people that the stone is "high color/high clarity"? Especially if the stone is eye clean?
I don't think Americans "sugar coat". Americans are known to be outspoken. And I'm not in favor of lying. In the circles I travel in, people don't generally ask the cost of people's possessions, although if someone was looking to buy something similar to what someone else has, they might ask where you got it or, privately, how much you paid. And I, for one, would not be offended by that. But it's not the norm, especially with something that could have been a gift, like a diamond.
I'm simply posing the question, "is it anybody's business what makes you happy?"
Now, if your question is: "what is it that makes me happy?", that's another story altogether and only you can answer that.

 

[Blingalingaling]

@icy_jade,
I'm terribly sorry if I offended you. In fact, my intentions were to boost your confidence in yourself and your choices. I think you may have misinterpreted my posts. I meant neither to assume nor to presume. I was trying to help you.
Best of luck!

 

[Blingalingaling]

And, incidentally, as someone who has traded/changed shape, increased/decreased size of my diamond, your posts were interesting to me from that perspective, as well, which was what drew me in to read them.

 

[LoveWins]

@icy_jade looking forward to see what you decide.

 

[gm89uk]

@icy_jade, regarding reselling the diamond, as @TreeScientist mentioned, you have a lifetime 80 percent buy back.

One can almost guarantee without a policy in place like this, you would never make 80 percent on a diamond sale. Good luck

 

[icy_jade]

Hey ok no hard feelings and I appreciate the good intent behind your posting... I was on the fence about updating because I still haven’t decided but @Candycane was also kind enough to share her experience so ha here I am back with my waffling story...

@icy_jade,
I'm terribly sorry if I offended you. In fact, my intentions were to boost your confidence in yourself and your choices. I think you may have misinterpreted my posts. I meant neither to assume nor to presume. I was trying to help you.
Best of luck!

And, incidentally, as someone who has traded/changed shape, increased/decreased size of my diamond, your posts were interesting to me from that perspective, as well, which was what drew me in to read them.

 

[icy_jade]

So... I mentioned somewhere that I went to a local store and saw a strong blue fluorescence diamond and really liked it.

I liked it so much that:

1. I went again to look at more diamonds with different levels of fluorescence... The conclusion is I SUPER love strong fluor diamonds. Like the “omg it glows in the dark is that so cool (ok and kinda geeky too haha) or what”... it’s like a whole different dimension to diamonds... I even thought about installing UV lamp in my room so I can admire the diamond lol... Previously I used to think that fluorescence is bad, can be hazy etc etc so it was a bit of a surprise to me but hey I like what I like even if I feel geeky about it...

2. I asked HPD (ok actually is @LaylaR and she has been super patient with my many many questions) about

a) existing stock of diamonds with strong blue fluorescence (right now HPD only has medium blue ones)

b) customizing a stone with strong blue fluorescence

I have quoted what she wrote with her permission below as I think this is useful for peeps like me who like the fluorescence... but here is the cut to the chase version and you can read the longer explanation after that

“So while they will do a Cut to Order with SBR or VSBF for you, and the diamond would be branded as a Crafted by Infinity, it would not have the buyback or trade-in policies of a regular production diamond”.

So here I am, and still undecided. Is secret sauce enough when what I really want secret sauce with “extra”? But then the buy-back and trade-in is important as DSS could well set in in a few years so who knows when I will feel like I NEED a 2.5 or 3 carats and then what do I do with this one right? I’ve read enough DSS threads to know it’s real...

So yeah I haven’t decided because of this. FWIW, if there is no effect on the trade-in or buy-back, I would have gone ahead to custom a CBI with strong blue fluorescence.

And yes if you think you read about CBI diamonds with strong blue fluorescence before, they do exist and I read those threads recently during my “intensive research” about such diamonds. Read @LaylaR’s full explanation below on why they are no longer offered...

Here is also @Wink ‘s thoughts on strong blues from a few months back:
https://www.pricescope.com/communit...strong-blue-fluorescence.234184/#post-4214202

As explained by @LaylaR:
“In the mid-2000’s it was possible for Crafted by Infinity to buy blue-fluorescent rough from the supplier of a major luxury brand. They had pristine gem-quality rough butdidn’t use the fluorescent rough. It’s a different game altogether now. Gem-quality on the world stage has declined year after year. Clean rough is harder to find, period. This is partly due to long-standing mines reaching their limits and partly due to dirtier sources passing rough through India and China. And diamonds with hazy appearance and other undesirable traits have a higher probability of being present in a fluorescent stone making it harder to find clean rough that has fluorescence without a negative effect. This has resulted in the general trade becoming more negative about fluorescence (partially because GIA-grading of fluorescence has become extremely lenient), so the underlying value is eliminated as the price of rough increases and the pricing of fluorescent cut diamonds decreases.

With CBI as a brand representing underlying value, (please see here: https://www.hpdiamonds.com/en-us/education/education-pricing ) the bigger problem of value-retention is why the current Crafted by Infinity brand doesn’t include SBF or VSBF in their normal production. And the current HPD buyback and upgrade policies were established under the current brand proposition. So while they will do a Cut to Order with SBR or VSBF for you, and the diamond would be branded as a Crafted by Infinity, it would not have the buyback or trade-in policies of a regular production diamond.“

 

[coda72]

Well if you have to have fluorescence, you still have Brian Gavin that offers diamonds with them and a trade in policy. Their policy is more restrictive than CBI’s but in this case their policy is better since they do sell strong and very strong fluorescent stones and offer an upgrade policy on them. The only problem is that the stock of BG Blues is generally low and you might have to wait a while to get the size, clarity, color combo you want.