any experience w/BGD signature round with SI range clarity?

[riley1227]

Hi everyone,

I was hoping some of you might have experience with Brian Gavin's signature round brilliant diamonds with clarity grades in the SI range. I am looking for the best cut I can find and willing to sacrifice clarity for cut, but until now had never considered an SI1 or SI2. Have any of you purchased a Brian Gavin signature round brilliant with SI1-2 clarity, and if so, did you have any issues with it not being eye clean? I am planning to set this stone in a delicate solitaire setting for an e-ring, so I would be remiss if my significant other found visible inclusions while admiring her new jewelry.

Thank you for any and all input!

 

[thediamondshopper]

Re: any experience w/BGD signature round with SI range clari

BGD is very reputable and I would say you are safe taking their word for eye clean. What size diamond are you considering? Under 1ct the majority of SI1's are eye clean, SI2's mostly but certainly not all.

 

[riley1227]

Re: any experience w/BGD signature round with SI range clari

The size range I am looking in is 1.00-1.25ct. Thanks for your input!

 

[m-2-b]

Re: any experience w/BGD signature round with SI range clari

Yes, I have owned a 3ct BGD signature RB with SI-1 clarity. It was eye clean to me, as it was not visible under the table. I suggest you talk directly w/ Brian regarding any concerns on a potential SI graded stone of theirs. I don't think it will be as noticeable in the size range you are looking for unless you own a loupe.

 

[jess719]

Re: any experience w/BGD signature round with SI range clari

I have a 1.34 that is completely eye clean from all angles (twinning wisps are the grade making inclusions).

 

[OCgirl]

Re: any experience w/BGD signature round with SI range clari

I have a Brian Gavin Blue (which is a separate line from the signature) and it's 1.22 G SI1. It was appraised by an independent appraiser as VS2. He let me look under the microscope and the whole stone was CLEAN except a small clear crystal under the table. No one thus far (my husband, my mom, my sister) has been able to spot any inclusions. I have pretty good eyes so if I look at my stone 2 inches from my face from a certain angle then I can see the crystal inclusion. But that's because I know where to look. And if someone is THAT picky with inclusions then VS2 is probably not "safe" either. To me SI1 is perfectly fine, 99.99% of the time the stone is just as "flawless" as a FL graded stone to me.

 

[OCgirl]

Re: any experience w/BGD signature round with SI range clari

Oh and I remember being super paranoid. I called Brian at least 2 or 3 times asking him to look at the stone. He patiently took out the stone and examined it while we were on the phone. I asked him if he could see the inclusion from 9 inches, 6 inches, 3 inches... he was very honest with me. So you should voice your concerns and ask him!

 

[hawk25]

Re: any experience w/BGD signature round with SI range clari

I suggest taking the safer approach with any SI diamond and just ask the vendor whether it's eye clean to your standard. Most companies state what their eye clean standard is, and it may differ from what yours is. For example, I was looking at a WF stone a while back that was stated to be eye clean on their site. They clearly defined eye clean to be 8-10 inches in the face up position. But when I asked my rep about the stone, it was noted that there was a visible inclusion from 6 inches away. Since they defined eye clean on their website, I had no problems with them labeling it as such. It just didn't meet my personal standard.

One of the major perks of buying from vendors like BGD is that their gemologists are in house, and in your case, you can even speak with the owner himself for his opinion. Use it! IMO you should be fine, but in any case I think each SI stones should be considered on a case by case basis.

 

[Gypsy]

Re: any experience w/BGD signature round with SI range clari

Just asked them to tell you if it's eyeclean. They'll be honest. They have a great return policy.