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Clarity enhanced, Am I to picky?

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lovbyts

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Feb 27, 2008
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I have looked at a few clarity enhanced diamonds lately. One is a good price and looks great with the naked eye. Using a loop I''m not to impressed, looks like a LOT of enhancement and a few possible small fractures. Ring is beautify or the setting is. Need opinions. Price OK, to much? $2500 Stone is VS2, E. 6.54-6.55 x 4.26 weight 1.24
Am I just to picky?

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let me say, if you''re easily picking out enhancements/fractures with a loupe, it''s not a VS2. So I would also question if it''s an E as well. I guess the more important question is if the future ring owner is picky?
 
I'm guessing the VS2 grade is "This is what it sort of looks like post-filling if you don't look too hard." Some no-name labs will grade glass-filled diamonds on that basis. No way this stone was VS2 to start with. Based on the price, and an assumed color of G, it's most likely I1-I2.
 
Date: 2/27/2008 3:30:41 PM
Author:lovbyts
I have looked at a few clarity enhanced diamonds lately. One is a good price and looks great with the naked eye. Using a loop I''m not to impressed, looks like a LOT of enhancement and a few possible small fractures. Ring is beautify or the setting is. Need opinions. Price OK, to much? $2500 Stone is VS2, E. 6.54-6.55 x 4.26 weight 1.24

Am I just to picky?
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First, like DiaGem said "VS-2 according to whom?"

Second, you don''t appear to have any information pertaining to the cut of the diamond in terms of the proportions... Something is up, you state that the diamond weighs 1.24 carats and measures 6.54 - 6.55 x 4.26 mm but most well cut diamonds in that weight range would have an outside diameter closer to 6.9 mm. Just because you''re buying a diamond which is laser drilled, fracture filled (clarity enhanced) does not mean that you''re not entitled to the same information that you would expect if you were buying a natural, untreated diamond.

Regarding the "good price", I feel the need to clarify the issue of price for people who might run across this thread and not be aware of what a Clarity Enhanced diamond is and why the prices are as low as they are... With that explained in advance:

The price isn''t "good" it just "is" because "clarity enhanced diamonds" are only partially diamond, the rest is glass and I''m guessing that at this moment in time the seller hasn''t provided you with an indication of how much of the diamond is "just a shell" and how much is glass. In reality, clarity enhanced diamonds do not represent a "good price" because you''re simply paying a fair price for a glass filled diamond, nothing more. If you''re paying a fair price for what would have been a 1.24 carat, E color (according to whom?), VS-2 clarity diamond that without treatment might have been visibly included or structurally challenged, you''re merely getting what you pay for and that is perfectly fine if it is an option that works for your desired visual outcome and price range. You could be looking at a VS-2 that has just a little bit of filler within it or you could be looking at one with a lot of filler in it, the glass may be half empty or half full depending on your attitude. Fracture filled diamonds aren''t a bad option for those who opt for them with full understanding of what they are, but fracture filled diamonds shouldn''t be compared to untreated diamonds in terms of price or value because it would be like comparing prices on a new car and "one just like it" which has been rebuilt from salvage. No doubt that Zvi Yehuda would disagree
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I seriously would rather have a simulated stone than a clarity enhanced stone. There would be no price that would tempt me.

Start reading the info on this site and this great tutorial with pictures and go for a good quality diamond:

http://www.goodoldgold.com/4Cs
 
If you want to buy a clarity enhanced stone due to price, i really think you need to talk with your girlfriend about it.
I know that i would rather have a gemstome as an engagement ring, instead of a glass filled diamond.
 
Clarity enhanced diamonds are usually graded based on their pre-enhanced clarity, so this stone should be more like an I1-I2. Second of all the measurements are more like a stone that is 1.05 carats, so this stone is cut very deep.

Honestly, I would much rather have a smaller stone that is well-cut and not clarity enhanced. A well-cut stone will outshine and outspakrle a bigger diamond that isn''t cut as well. Many pricescope vendors such as whiteflash, jamesallen, goodoldgold, etc have upgrade policies. If what you want is a large diamond I would suggest buying a high quality diamond that is smaller from a company with an upgrade policy. Then you can trade it in for a bigger diamond over time.
 
I checked Whiteflash and priceScope and after comparing diamonds the same size (1.24) the measurements seem accurate.
Are you sure that the rating are supposed to be PRE- enhancements? If that is the case why would ANYONE enhance a VS2. No Im sure it was around an I2 to begin with, not VS2

I did not post everything because I did not think it was needed. Depth 62.5
Table 59%
Appraisal if from a no name lab IGS. per visual inspections I would say the size is accurate but that doesnt mean much.
 
I would reeeeeeeealy hesitate on a clarity enhanced. Got a little story on clarity enhanced for ya. My sister loves bling. Her wallet hates her because she likes to shop
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Her husband thinks diamonds and jewelry are "frivolous".
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So she went on a little ebay hunting trip. Found a 1.5 ct. round brilliant for $1000 dollars. Yep, you read that right--one thousand. That would have tipped all of us off huh! So she whips out the Discover card, buys the stone, and has it put into her ring. She is happy. Husband is glad he got off cheap. 3 months later, she was cleaning her rings while visiting me. I was looking at the stone, and I could see what looked like fractures running depth wise through the stone. I asked her about it, and she said that those had gotten worse over the past month. HUH?? So, I told her to email me a copy of the papers that came with her stone. Her reply? What papers?? OMG. We go on to ebay, I pulled up her auction, and it states plain as day CLARITY ENHANCED. She had no clue what it meant. I told her that those "lines" in her stone were from the stone being yahoodia (sp) treated. She was mad, had a fit, then calmed down and got mad at herself. Her lovely husband got tired of hearing her whine and upgraded her "laser drilled fractured hot mess" with a gorgeous GIA 1ct. princess cut for christmas this past year. Moral of the story?? Clarity enhanced = don''t do it.
 
the amount of filler used to enhance clarity does not even effect ct weight, so i would say your questioning how much is diamond and how much is filler, is rather off. you''re making it seem as though if an egg were a diamond, a c.e. stone has a diamond shell and a glass filled albumin and yolk. thats just simply not accurate. the fact it was enhanced has nothing to do with how well its cut either. ive seen beauties and ive seen train wrecks. some people say there can be a structural issue, and some dont. i do not. non ehanced diamonds crack too, just ask anyone on ps who has cracked their diamond slamming it on something, or a jeweler who has dropped one and broke it in two. it depends on the situation. they arent all bad can represent a savings to those interested in a bigger diamond. obvisouly they represent a threat to those who do not deal in them and that is understandable. the buyer should choose knowing the facts and with their own set of expections. in many cases you are paying for a beatiful diamond that no one suspects is enhanced and you saved a lot of money. if you want one, keep looking so you can see what is available. if you can find a yehuda dealer, yeduda will send the diamond of your choice to the dealer for you to review. whats the problem with that? you dont have to buy it. btw, yehuda honors their work for a lifetime. c.e. are not for everyone, but you should decide for yourself based on what you want and what you think is beautiful. you need not be talked out of it until you have totally educated yourself. good luck
 
Date: 2/27/2008 7:22:52 PM
Author: lovbyts
I checked Whiteflash and PriceScope and after comparing diamonds the same size (1.24) the measurements seem accurate.

Are you sure that the rating are supposed to be PRE- enhancements? If that is the case why would ANYONE enhance a VS2. No Im sure it was around an I2 to begin with, not VS2

I did not post everything because I did not think it was needed. Depth 62.5 Table 59%
Click to expand...

Okay, so the diamond is cut a bit deep at 62.5% which explains the outside diameter. Yehuda advertises that they produce some of their clarity enhanced diamonds to ideal proportions, you might look into that because proportions / cut quality has a direct effect on visual performance.

Clarity grades are based on the grade of the diamond AFTER it has been treated, however the diamond is usually valued based on estimation of the grade BEFORE treatment because that is what the value of the diamond will be based upon if the treatment fails (and the diamond suddenly looks different). In the event that the treatment fails (more likely is damaged by a jeweler during sizing, repair, etc.) most of the reputable companies producing fracture filled diamonds will retreat the diamond - it is important to know which company provided the treatment for this reason.

Note that fracture filled diamonds treated with bromine instead of glass are more subject to deterioration and can discolor with exposure to household cleaning chemicals and sunlight. Here again, it pays to research the product prior to purchase. Get any warranty / guarantee statements in writing - most of the companies will not provide warranty service for products that were not originally produced by them and it can be difficult to ascertain the company of origin if the treatment is no longer present...

Some people prefer natural, untreated diamonds. Some people prefer the fracture filled option because it enables them to purchase a larger diamond than they might be able to afford. Some people prefer to purchase a simulant. It really doesn''t matter as long as you are comfortable with your purchase, each option has advantages, disadvantages, and each costs what it does based on its inherent characteristics.

By the way, it is a good idea to tell whoever is receiving the diamond that it has been treated (1) so that they are not surprised by the news if a jeweler / gemologist is called upon to verify the diamond; (2) so that they will know to tell anybody working on the setting that the diamond is treated to reduce the possibility of damage while the work is being performed - hit that puppy with a torch while sizing or re-tipping a setting and the treatment can sizzle right out of the stone - been there, done it, of course we did it on purpose to see what it would look like after the treatment was destroyed.
 
OK I just visited my local jeweler who I have bought from in the past and had him look at it. He said for the money it was a very good buy and the stone looked OK but not as good as natural of course. He had a 1.10 si, F that was very comparable except under a loop looked better of course for the most part. I think I will follow his suggestion since I like the setting very much and the other stones are not enhanced and look good I will just go with it for now and upgrade later as an anniversary present. :)
 
Dude, a couple of comments:

1. Have you discussed this with your GF? Because if not, I would not do this. I''d be very upset if my FI gave me a clarity enhanced diamond because they''re, well, crap. I''d much prefer a smaller REAL diamond any day. This isn''t just a symbolic gift, it''s the beginning of your future together and it''s a big purchase so I think given what you''re leaning towards, it is important to discuss this with your GF first before deciding to get this stone/ring.

2. For $2500, people here can help you find a nice ering with a real diamond, we''ve done it before and we can do it again.

3. Please refer back to point #1. Rinse and repeat.
 
Just know there are intergrity issues with stones that are enhanced. I would much rather see you buy a smaller diamond from a vendor with an upgrade policy. Than spend your money on an enhanced diamond. Just an FYI.
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Is that a picture of the actual ring you''re buying? I can clearly see incluions.
 
if i had 2500 to work with in the beginning, i would go to whiteflash and get a beatiful diamond wedding band, maybe eternity, with those awsome aca diamonds and use that as my engangment ring. then i would get a thin metal band for the wedding. i see this combination all the time. then later, you get get a matching e ring when youre ready! totally backwards, i know, but there are no rules in this game. i think id be happy with a nice eternity band at first, epecially from wf. however, im not trying to talk you out of your desicion to buy the ring you like. you should do what you want, i just thought i would throw that out there. good luck!
 
Lovbyts, you are not going to get anybody here telling you that a clarity enhanced diamond is the thing to do. If a diamond is the symbol of your love, do you want that symbol to be some fracture fillled half replica of the real deal? Or do you want to go smaller and real? Or a gemstone? Or an eternity band? You have options, we can help you, but the PSers are unlikely to endorse your current choice.

Just trying to help!!!
 
I''m sorry to throw more flames on the fire, as you seems to have already decided to go with the enhanced stone?
I would like to add my 2c by saying I Would NOT like a c.e diamond for any jewellery, let alone an e-ring. To get a bit romantic here, If your e-ring is supposed to symbolize your love for her, what does a non-pure, not for ever diamond really say? I, and I''m sure many other women will tell you, that they would prefer a smaller great quality diamond, from a reputable vendor with an upgrade policy - u have already mentioned the option to upgrade in the future. The c.e route would actually be more expensive in the end, as you won''t be able to trade it in.
$2500 is not am impossible budget - my own lil story, I am currently looking into getting an fantastic cut PoH from GOG- I should be able to get a half ct stone with great specs and a custom setting made in Australia, where I live, for almost $2500 for a RHR- seeing as settings are cheaper in the states, I have faith that PS''s will be able to get u what u want in ur budget with a *proper* diamond.

I respect that the decision is completely up to you, but I feel if you think about it for a min you may see there are better options (at least IMHO)
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Personally, I'd rather have a full-on simulant than a clarity enhanced diamond. If you're going to go half-fake, why not just go all the way and save yourself some extra cash.
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I think I will follow his suggestion since I like the setting very much and the other stones are not enhanced and look good I will just go with it for now and upgrade later as an anniversary present. :)
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I have been trying to figure out your meaning in this... what is his "suggestion"? To just stick with your clarity enhanced stone or to get the natural stone he showed you??
 
Date: 2/29/2008 10:44:47 PM
Author: cricketdog
Would you consider something like this instead? It seems well worth the extra $400.
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There are much nicer sapphires out there within budget.
 
If you go here,

http://www.whiteflash.com/diamonds/Default.aspx

you can play around with changing the various parameters, size, color, clarity...

It''s an easy and fun way to see what you can get for the money, even if you don''t buy from here.

As for clarity enhanced, you couldn''t pay me to have one.
 
Date: 3/1/2008 1:43:31 AM
Author: musey
Personally, I''d rather have a full-on simulant than a clarity enhanced diamond. If you''re going to go half-fake, why not just go all the way and save yourself some extra cash.
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I think I will follow his suggestion since I like the setting very much and the other stones are not enhanced and look good I will just go with it for now and upgrade later as an anniversary present. :)
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I have been trying to figure out your meaning in this... what is his ''suggestion''? To just stick with your clarity enhanced stone or to get the natural stone he showed you??
Click to expand...

Yes, me too! I''m a lil confused, which one are you going for? Also, seeing as the jeweller is in a position to "steal a sale" here, I would take suggestions with a grain of salt
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