Color or Clarity

[abbeyld]

Hi All -
This is my first time posting but have read and learned a great deal from this forum.
Question - assuming 2 round 2.75 c stones at the same price with every stat being equal which would be a better choice.... a VS2 I color or a SI1 H color??

 

[Trinity]

Better color and clarity for the same exact quality of stone and price. No doubt, VS2 and H color would be my choice.

Edited to add:

But you are asking better color or clarity right?

I think you meant VS2 I or SI1 H color as your choice combo with everything else being equal.

VS2 is better clarity than SI1
H color is (whiter)better color than I color. But you are only talking about one color grade.

Though most people may not even notice a difference in an H and I color diamond. Usually they will face up white especially set. Though I have heard some say an I has a "warmer appearance". I have an H color and the jeweler asked me if it was G color.

However, you are talking about a larger stone. Larger stones tend to show more color. (yellow tint) when getting to in the lower "near colorless" range.

SI1 is rated as eye clean (though I saw an SI1 with visible inclusion once.)You need a 10 power loop to see inclusions.

SI1 and VS2 (if the SI1 is eye clean like it should be, you would never know what clarity it was just by looking at the diamond. (Unless you had a microscope or loop.)

 

[abbeyld]

Thank You Rough Rock-
Yes I made a Boo Boo. I meant to post which should I select between a VS2 I color and a SI1 H color... all else being equal?
I edited my post. Thanks.

 

[derekinla]

Assuming the SI1 is eye clean (and most are....but not all are), I would go for the SI1 H or over the VS2 I although the visual appearance (assuming both are comparable in terms of "cut") will be hard to discern from quick visual inspection. The way I look at it, an "eye clean" SI1 looks like an IF to the naked eye so why pay for something you can't see? Most people don't run around with 10x loupes in their pockets BUT some people are more color sensitive than others.

 

[Nicrez]

Color Snob here....ditto on the H. I would assume that a VS1 I could be comperably priced to a SI1 G? If not, get the higher color, especially if it's a decent SI1. With all those sparkles, you won't see much in clarity. Just my $.02...

 

[pqcollectibles]

Depends on the inclusions, the size of the diamond, and the quality of the Cut. If both stones are well cut, and the SI is eye clean, I might lean toward the H. If the SI has inclusions that will show thru the pavillion once the stone is mounted, I'd go for the I. Each diamond has it's own personality so it would really depend on the diamond. And you have to be comfortable with your choice as well. If the thought of inclusions, seen or unseen, bothers you mentally, go for the higher clarity. One shade difference in color is not noticible to most people. If you are more color sensitive and the thought of what you cannot see does not bother you, go higher in color.

Just an FYI,..... I have a 1.25 carat, J color that looks great set in platinum!

 

[Tek]

It would definitely depend on the nature of the SI1 clarity for the H. If it's eye clean from the top and sides, I'd get the H SI1 combo in a second. The H color verses the I color is much easier to see than the SI1 and VS2 in my opinion, but it does depend on the type of inclusion for the SI1.

 

[abbeyld]

Thank you for the help. If buying on-line how can I find out if the SI1 is eye clean?

 

[antonia]

Hi,

I haven't read everyone else's comments cuz I'm lazy but clarity is worth more than colour because it is rarer to find a large clear stone than a good colour stone. So you pay more for better clarity.

But remember that colour is more obvious. So the best way to spend your money is to go for the best colour you want in the lowest clarity you will accept. My choice is either D,E,F colour in SI1... I personally wouldn't go lower than an SI1 because then there is a chance that you will see the flaw with the naked eye, and you don't want that!

But the simple answer to your question is that the one with the better clarity should cost more but the one with the better colour will look better!

Good luck!