Assaulted by SI2?

[MikeInMass]

The SI2 in the attached pic is priced a lot lower than the stones I've seen of comparable size.

Is that because the inclusion(s) will jump out at you even without magnification? Maybe slap you around a little, too?

The GIA cert shows only a single inclusion, a crystal near the center of the table.
But I seem to see several more-- near 9 o'clock in the photo. Are these reflections?

I would love to pick up a rock like this for my wonderful girlfriend, hopefully soon-to-be fiancee (specs: 1.3ct I SI2, spread about 7mm, HCA 1.4).

But did she disqualify herself when she got Lasik?

Kidding aside (finally), any chance of this stone's inclusion(s) being visible only if you really scrutinize it, or is it obvious that they'll be apparent at normal viewing distance to a casual observer?

Thanks for any and all input.

 

[hedarud]

Those are reflections and yes they will probably be visible when looking at it face up from 10-20 inches.

 

[fleur-de-lis]

Yep, the specks at 9 o'clock look like they're reflections to me; if you look, there are a couple of other partial reflections near 11 o'clock.

It's an SI2. Some are great, some ride the border to I1 very closely. This one might be riding on the border. As for people noticing, it depends on how closely they're looking; if I had to take a guess yes, some will notice, but then again, some won't.

The optimist would point out that with an SI stone, you worry a bit less about someone switching out the stone because you can see in an instant under a loupe if it's your "baby" or not. I had an SI stone rattling in a setting once which had to be sent back for prong tightening, and the SI inclusion became very appreciated in that moment. Mine's not really visible to the naked eye, but easy to see with a loupe; when it came back, I was able to whip out a loupe and ID that there was no switchout along the way easily by finding its little "birthmark".

That said, you have to be careful with the inclusions. To me, that looks like a pretty obvious inclusion in a very unfortunate place.

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

I think it is worth calling for a look or asking the vendor how hard it is to see.

The side parts are reflections and are probably taken into account in the overall grade.

I think it is possible this would be eye clean for 70-90% of people.
The photo is huge - try shrinking it to 7mm and see if you can see it

 

[belle]

Date: 9/19/2007 11:37:41 PM
Author:MikeInMass

But did she disqualify herself when she got Lasik?

Kidding aside (finally), any chance of this stone''s inclusion(s) being visible only if you really scrutinize it, or is it obvious that they''ll be apparent at normal viewing distance to a casual observer?

actually, it probably HELPED that she got lasik! we myopic people can only focus *very* close up, so her eyes were like a microscope before she had the procedure.

she would have spotted that inclusion as soon as she brought it up for inspection

the good news is...now you can ask the vendor how easily the inclusion can be seen at NORMAL viewing distances. don''t try to guess what it will be like from the pictures.

make sure you ask someone who has seen it to describe it to you fully.

 

[vivianv]

I have a 1.24ct nearly identical to that. One dark inclusion just off to the side directly under the table. Reflects just like that...but only really seen in photos. I take a photo and there are the reflections. I never see them on top under ordinary lighting because of the sparkle in the diamond.I did see the reflections one time when the lighting was exactly right and I was looking on the underside of the stone. I have seen them reflecting in the culet area. They are not distracting to me. The inclusion itself is barely visible at 10 inches and invisible at arms length. I think of it as my diamond seed.I am not bothered by one inclusion , I am one that likes to have one tiny one.It might be worth it to have a look at the stone. It may be hard to impossible to see the reflections and inclusion in RL and maybe not but if it turns out that they are no-see-ums then you might get a great deal!

The funny thing is how well my stones inclusion shows up under black light. My stone has SB fluorescence and when it glows under the light that inclusion is right there! It is plain to see that it is the only inclusion.

 

[FireGoddess]

Date: 9/20/2007 8:56:37 AM
Author: belle
actually, it probably HELPED that she got lasik! we myopic people can only focus *very* close up, so her eyes were like a microscope before she had the procedure.

she would have spotted that inclusion as soon as she brought it up for inspection

I swear, it''s the curse of our kind. I can''t even see the time on the alarm clock in the morning, but I can pick out an inclusion like a hawk.

 

[MikeInMass]

Thanks for all the feedback!

The vendor thought the inclusion would probably be visible, but doesn''t have the diamond in house, so she is just conjecturing from the pictures as we all are. I have asked her whether she can bring it in house (along with a smaller eye clean SI2 for about the same price). I''ll keep y''all posted.

 

[diamondringlover]

My princess is a SI2, there is a feather in the corner, you can see it from the side of the stone, you cannot see it from the top, not even up close, so I guess it depends on the type of inclusion. I do have myopia and really, really up close I can see it without my glasses on, but had I not know it was there, I would have never seen it.

 

[MikeInMass]

In case anyone is curious, I took a look at the stone in person today.

Not for the life of me could I spot the black inclusion face up.
It was obvious through the loupe, but even after I knew where to look for it,
no way could I see it face up, even a few inches from my eyes.

Face down or from the side it was quite obvious against a sheet of white paper.

I think that if the stone were set, especially in a six prong or bezel type setting, it would be really hard to spot the inclusion, and the stone would be an incredible value.

That said, I decided not to chance aggravating any perfectionist streak my girlfriend might have (or, gulp, develop over the next few decades) and went with a different stone.

The one I chose was only a few hundred bucks less but a large step down in size: it spreads about 6.6mm. However, it is just as well cut or better (HCA 0.7) and a totally eye clean and face up colorless I/SI2. Heck, I couldn''t spot any inclusions even with the loupe.

So that''s the story. Thanks for all your input, and if you are making a similar decision, good luck to you.