Clarity grade based on clouds not shown

[mokkzzz]

Hello everyone, first time user of pricescope and nice to meet you all!

I've come across a James Allen diamond (SKU 13274230) that has seemingly met my budget and specs:
Carat: 1.52
Cut: Triple AGS 0
Colour: G
Clarity: SI1
HCA score: 1.7
Upon closeup view of 360 video i noticed some wavyness/haziness. Further read of the AGS report says "clarity grade based on clouds not shown".

Light performance is probably just as important as carat, hence I'm look for super ideal cuts. Should I be concerned that light performance will be affected by the clouds?

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.52-carat-g-color-si1-clarity-true-hearts-cut-sku-13274230

 

[DejaWiz]

It's definitely a little cloudy/hazy, which would prompt me to keep looking for alternatives.

WF has some ACAs that you may want to take a closer look at. Here are but a couple:

Diamond | 1.408 ct F SI1 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Round Cut Loose Diamond AGS Certified | 4417918

This Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® super ideal cut hearts and arrows 1.408 carat F color SI1 clarity loose diamond is graded by the American Gem Society (AGS) Laboratories. | 4417918

www.whiteflash.com

Diamond | 1.671 ct I VS2 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Round Cut Loose Diamond AGS Certified | 4449050

This Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® super ideal cut hearts and arrows 1.671 carat I color VS2 clarity loose diamond is graded by the American Gem Society (AGS) Laboratories. | 4449050

www.whiteflash.com

 

[Diamond_Enthusiast]

Upon closeup view of 360 video i noticed some wavyness/haziness. Further read of the AGS report says "clarity grade based on clouds not shown".

Light performance is probably just as important as carat, hence I'm look for super ideal cuts. Should I be concerned that light performance will be affected by the clouds?

A SI1 with a clean plot and comment "clarity grade based on clouds not shown" sets off alarm bells for transparency issues. The video does show haziness.

I would personally pass on any stones that has transparency issues because light return would be affected even if it is well cut.

The WF options @DejaWiz posted above are far better super ideal options. The upgrade policy is also excellent with WF if you ever decide to upgrade down the track.

 

[lovedogs]

A SI1 with a clean plot and comment "clarity grade based on clouds not shown" sets off alarm bells for transparency issues. The video does show haziness.

I would personally pass on any stones that has transparency issues because light return would be affected even if it is well cut.

The WF options @DejaWiz posted above are far better super ideal options. The upgrade policy is also excellent with WF if you ever decide to upgrade down the track.

Ditto all of this

 

[MakingTheGrade]

I actually bought a diamond from JA that was SI1 based on clouds.

loose diamonds, fancy color, gray, round cut, 3.11 carat si1 clarity sku 8508692

8508692 - This Round Cut 3.11 Carat GRAY Color SI1 Clarity has a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

In person the clouds seem to have no effect in shade or in office lighting, but in bright sunlight there is definitely a haze.
I don’t mind since I was after a fancy gray diamond over 3+ ct and so I was just happy to find a well cut one in budget. and since it’s a fancy gray anyways, a little haze doesn’t bother me like it would if I was paying for a colorless diamond.

But I would pass if you’re looking for optimal light performance in all lighting.

Here it is in the shade:


In the sunlight


And indoors:

 

[mokkzzz]

You guys are absolutely amazing for the guidance. Will steer clear of original cloudy diamond then. Thank you @DejaWiz for those recommendations, having a look right now

 

[mokkzzz]

Is there generally a premium for WF's ACA branded diamonds (or similarly, james allen's H&A or bluenile's astor ideals)? Regardless, I'm thinking it may be worth it given the homework has essentially been done for you.

The 1.67 carat diamond that @DejaWiz linked is very attractive in terms of specs and price point. The only thing I'm unsure of is the "I" colour. What are people's thoughts in the context of the diamond overall?

 

[DejaWiz]

Is there generally a premium for WF's ACA branded diamonds (or similarly, james allen's H&A or bluenile's astor ideals)? Regardless, I'm thinking it may be worth it given the homework has essentially been done for you.

The 1.67 carat diamond that @DejaWiz linked is very attractive in terms of specs and price point. The only thing I'm unsure of is the "I" colour. What are people's thoughts in the context of the diamond overall?

Yes, there is a bit of a premium for ACA because, quite simply, they are custom cut to very tight specifications which takes a lot of extra time to do and more rough lost during the process.
Same for Brian Gavin diamonds and JannPaul, to name a couple more.

JA True Hearts...eh, probably not so much custom cut, but likely selected from a bulk lot and given a quick view with an Ideal-Scope. I think the price premium for a TH from JA is a little steep for me, personally, but it can provide assurance and peace of mind for shoppers wanting to stick with JA. Nothing wrong with that.

As for the color grade, only you will know what your own tolerance and sensitivity levels are for tint saturation. Might be worthwhile to ask WF to take a video of the F and I side by side so you can get an idea of how each faces up and whether or you have acceptance or disdain for tint and try to narrow down what your limit is.

 

[Diamond_Enthusiast]

Yes, there is a bit of a premium for ACA because, quite simply, they are custom cut to very tight specifications which takes a lot of extra time to do and more rough lost during the process.
Same for Brian Gavin diamonds and JannPaul, to name a couple more.

JA True Hearts...eh, probably not so much custom cut, but likely selected from a bulk lot and given a quick view with an Ideal-Scope. I think the price premium for a TH from JA is a little steep for me, personally, but it can provide assurance and peace of mind for shoppers wanting to stick with JA. Nothing wrong with that.

As for the color grade, only you will know what your own tolerance and sensitivity levels are for tint saturation. Might be worthwhile to ask WF to take a video of the F and I side by side so you can get an idea of how each faces up and whether or you have acceptance or disdain for tint and try to narrow down what your limit is.

Agree with all this!

Will also add that with the color of the stone, also consider the metal color of the setting.

Yellow or rose gold is more accommodating when it comes to tint in the diamond.

That is not to say that you can't set I color in white gold/platinum though. Here is a recent post in the "Show Me the Bling!" forum with an 2.3ct I color ACA set in platinum and it is beautiful.

#JOTW - New Ring Is Here! 2.305ct I color SI1 WF ACA

Hello everyone, I want to start off by saying thank you to the members of this forum! I've learned so much from reading the threads and the HCA Tool. Also massive thanks to the WF team for their amazing customer service!! :mrgreen2: To provide some background information: my dear fiance...

www.pricescope.com

Also note that generally larger stones will show more tint than smaller ones.