Buying SI1 or SI2 online??

[lawgirl2831]

Newbie question: from everything I''ve read, some SI1 and SI2 are acceptable and some are not - you really need to see the stone itself.

So how do you do this if you are looking at working with an online vendor? Do you need to go visit them and ask them to order in the stones so that you can see them in person or can they send them to someone close to you so you can see them or, better yet, can they send you some type of pictures or something online that will give you a good idea?

I figure that there must be some way that people get comfortable without an actual B&M visit - is that correct?

 

[belle]

find a reputable and trustworthy vendor that will supply you with the information you need to find an eye-clean stone.
here is a thread about eye-clean

 

[jaz464]

You can ask the vendor to check the stone himself. If they don''t have the stone inhouse, they might be able to bring it in and eye it for you. Some will also send pictures. What I did and prefer is to have the stone(s) sent to an independent appraiser in my area. The only cost to me (with the vendor I chose) was to pay the shipping IF I didn''t take the diamond. I would recommend this route with a diamond in the SI range. Also, what is considered eye clean by one person may not be considered eye clean to another. That is why I prefer to see it myself. I came across a few vendors who would not send pictures and could not send it to an appraiser and I would not work with these type of companies.

 

[lawgirl2831]

thanks for the info. So if one were working with WF or GOG, which obviously have amazing reputations here, then it sounds like the option are 1) to ask them to get the stone in and give you their opinion or 2) to have them send it to a local appraiser and then you go see it while the appraiser has it and is appraising it?

 

[belle]

lawgirl,
wf has an extensive in-house inventory, meaning they have stones readily available in their own vault, and can tell you immediately whether or not a stone is eye clean according to their definition.
i have seen some really great si2 stones and i will always look there first for a great value.

 

[jaz464]

Yes, especially with those 2 companies, I would say you could definately trust their eyes, unless you are super super picky about clarity which you most likely are not in the SI range.

 

[Lorelei]

Hi Lawgirl and welcome

Usually online vendors for the most part will be honest with the customer with the diamond they are interested in. It isn't in their best interests to send out diamonds which may not fit the bill. One moot area is often the eyeclean issue. Porbably IMO - read the eyeclean thread in FAQ and when you are checking out diamonds be as specific as you can with the vendor as to what your definition of eyeclean is. To some it is looking at the diamond up close and seeing no visible inclusions, to others at normal viewing distance. Know what you want and bear in mind that some S12's are eyelclean and indeed the odd I1, plenty aren't, and the inclusions can be more obvious the larger you go. Also all inclusions aren't created equal, some are carbon spots, others feathers etc, so get to know your inclusions if you can. Also some are more visible in certain lights.

If completely eyeclean is very important to you, let the the vendor know that - they are the professionals and will give an honest opinion on each diamond, give them as much info as you can to help them help you. You might well find the one in an S12/ SI1, but also depending on the shape you want and the size, maybe a slightly higher clarity might be a better fit for you personally. Look in Show me The Ring, you will see many fab SI diamonds with many happy owners! Often these diamonds are a great way to go.

Many online vendors will send you a picture of the diamond so you can get an idea, I know most vendors have a good return period, as for sending a contender to a local appraisor or jeweller I can't say before purchase, maybe someone else will know, but ask the vendors if they are prepared to do this, I know it is routine after the sale and many vendors encourage this.

I hope some of this helps, what are you looking for? Most of us have bought online and are very happy campers and had great experiences!! I know it isn't the same as seeing the diamond first, but it has many benefits and works very well for both vendor and consumer. Good luck!

 

[aljdewey]

Hi, Lawgirl:

I bought my SI2 from Whiteflash, and it''s amazingly eye-clean. I would trust them again in a minute to evaluate an SI stone for me. I was looking at an SI1 and an SI2....the SI1 stone was more expensive, of course.

Brian looked at both and said "I think the SI2 is cleaner than the SI1; I''d reverse the gradings on these. I''d really recommend the SI2; you will be happy with this stone." And boy, was he right! No one can find inclusions in my stone without a loupe....in fact, many have a hard time even WITH the loupe.

Whiteflash also has a pretty cool process now where each stone is reviewed not only by Brian but also by someone who''s an average Joe.....and they both make notes on how clean a stone is. So, when they tell you it''s eyeclean, it''s eyeclean.

Just make sure you understand and agree on the definition of eyeclean....let them know what YOU mean by eye-clean and they can tell you what they mean.

At the end of the day, there really is no risk. If you get a stone from Whiteflash and *you* can see inclusions that bother you, you can simply return the stone.

 

[lawgirl2831]

Looking at Radiants 1.5-2.1 carat. Obviously clarity will determine where in the range our budget will allow. My thoughts (maybe wrong) are that a Radiant - by virtue of the cracked glass cut - may be more "forgiving" of inclusions than some other cuts. any thoughts from those with experience?

This is probably my one and only large-ish diamond purchase in my life (unless we win the lottery LOL) so I certainly have no experience and am relying on this site and, hopefully, a good vendor.

 

[coda72]

I have seen a couple of SI2 radiants in person, and I''m not a professional just a consumer, and I couldn''t see the inclusions in them. Under the loupe I could see the inclusions, but it still wasn''t that easy. I have a VS2 radiant, and I can''t see any inclusions either with the naked eye or using the loupe. If I had to do it over again I would probably purchase at least an SI1 to save some money. If you''re buying online, definitely have the vendor check out the stone to see if it''s eyeclean. I think you''re right, with the busy look of radiants, they may hide the inclusions more easily, but it''s still best to have someone check it out.

 

[bar01]

Date: 10/12/2005 10:11:52 AM
Author: jazmine
You can ask the vendor to check the stone himself. If they don't have the stone inhouse, they might be able to bring it in and eye it for you. Some will also send pictures. What I did and prefer is to have the stone(s) sent to an independent appraiser in my area. The only cost to me (with the vendor I chose) was to pay the shipping IF I didn't take the diamond. I would recommend this route with a diamond in the SI range. Also, what is considered eye clean by one person may not be considered eye clean to another. That is why I prefer to see it myself. I came across a few vendors who would not send pictures and could not send it to an appraiser and I would not work with these type of companies.

Yep - trust - but verify.

I got two SI-1 diamonds from white flash for my gals ring. Completely eye clean – and so well cut I often can't see anything but "flash".

I am a strong proponent of independent appraisals and getting to spend some time with your gem during an evaluation/return period. I had my gem and diamonds sent to me so I could study them personally for a few days under different lights - then had them sent to an independent lab/appraisal for grading and check.

 

[atroop711]

I agree with the above mentioned...

I bought my SI2 through WF....they didn''t have the stone in house but got it for me...they examined the stone and gave me the thumbs up. This stone is SOOOOO Eye Clean that it looks like it is a VS stone.

Great experience with them.

Good Luck

 

[Mara]

I had a big long response written but then something happened and it''s gone.

So here''s the jist. I have an eye-clean J SI2 that I had Brian at WF eyeball for me, I trust his eyes having purchased from him before and am very happy with this choice. It''s a great SI2.

You can also have the vendor ship the stone to a local ind. appraiser of your choice and go see it in person to see if it fits your bill, if not send it back.

Thirdly, if you are spending a large chunk of change, consider taking a trip to visit the vendor if you really want to see things in person. I''m going to be doing that next spring for my upgrade (hopefully!) and it''s worth it when you are dropping many thousands to maybe pay $200 for a plane ticket and $200 for a hotel to have an hour or two to see stones in person at the vendor of your choice.

So buying online does not have to be scary..good luck!!