Couple of clarity and cut questions

[gk172]

While doing my search for diamonds a few questions have came to mind which im hoping someone might help clear up, firstly ive been looking at a few gia reports and trying to work out what level i would be happy with jumping between vs2 and s1 and some of the s1''s look clearer than the vs2''s and i dont understand if there clearer why not the higher ranking or am i missing something?

Also while looking at cuts - ideal and premium ive seen premiums with better polish/symmetry against ideal cuts with good polish/symmetry again these are gia certified stones so which option would be best?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Lorelei]

Firstly eyeclean is eyeclean, assuming both diamonds are and one is a VS and one an SI, you won't be able to tell a difference without magnification most probably. You also can't get a true picture looking at the plot on a grading report, often these look messier than the diamond actually is. Also many factors make up a clarity grade which includes, size, shape, colour, type and location of the inclusion/s before the correct clarity grade can be assigned.

Also don't go by vendor labels such as Ideal Cut, Premium etc, these don't guarantee you a well cut diamond. You have to take each diamond on a case by case basis. Stick to GIA Excellents and AGS0 for to make your search for a great cut easier, many prefer ex and above for polish and symmetry, although it is said good and above look the same to the untrained eye.

 

[gk172]

Thank you, im torn between vs2 and si1 but if your saying the report looks worse than it is that might just sway things

The serious looking for diamonds start in 2 weeks im just getting ideas at the moment of what suits my budget or getting the budget to suit my choice

 

[kcoursolle]

Date: 5/23/2007 2:30:35 PM
Author: gk172
Thank you, im torn between vs2 and si1 but if your saying the report looks worse than it is that might just sway things

The serious looking for diamonds start in 2 weeks im just getting ideas at the moment of what suits my budget or getting the budget to suit my choice

Each VS and SI diamond needs to be evaluated on it's own. Many SI's are eye-clean while others show huge inclusions. Some SI's are more eyeclean and VS's. For example, there could be one small inclusion in a VS that is eye visible while there could be several inclusions in an SI that are not eye visible. You need to view stones on a case by case basis.

 

[gk172]

I take what you are saying onboard, my thoughts at the moment are to cover my choices by picking a si and a vs2 and seeing if i can see the differance between them if i cant then its si1 but if i can vs2, my choices will need to be limited to 2 stones and im just gathering as much info to help me make a good decision when the time comes.

When i started my hunt i was loooking at i/j egl isreal cuts stones and now with education im looking at gia cert g/h si1/vs2 and of course the cost has went up a touch

 

[kcoursolle]

Date: 5/23/2007 6:20:48 PM
Author: gk172
I take what you are saying onboard, my thoughts at the moment are to cover my choices by picking a si and a vs2 and seeing if i can see the differance between them if i cant then its si1 but if i can vs2, my choices will need to be limited to 2 stones and im just gathering as much info to help me make a good decision when the time comes.

When i started my hunt i was loooking at i/j egl isreal cuts stones and now with education im looking at gia cert g/h si1/vs2 and of course the cost has went up a touch

you''ve come a long way in your diamond hunt!!! I''d focus on getting an "eye clean" SI, why get the VS if an SI is eye clean. Many SI''s are not eyeclean, so you need to ask the vendor. If you still need to save money, you can drop to an I color in GIA/AGS stones and it will still face up white.

Cut quality is the most important, this is what determines sparkle and shine.

 

[cinnamon013]

I''d vote too for you to look for an eyeclean SI1. You''ll likely save some $ and maybe even get a bigger stone.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

You can''t go buy the inclusion plots to judge how the inclusions look in reality. It is a lot easier to buy from a vendor who gives magnified photos so you have a better idea about how the inclusions will appear. But short of that, a VS2 will almost always be safer than an SI1 stone. But if the vendor has the SI1 stone in their possession and can tell you how eye-clean it is, then that can work, too.

 

[DiamondExpert]

You should not necessarily be discouraged from considering a diamond by the appearance of the plot on the cert, especially when looking at SI1''s or even SI2''s. Sometimes they look pretty scary on paper, but may in fact be eye clean.

Your decision should be based on a stone-by-stone basis, and a trusted vendor can help you save time and $ by providing you with objective, professional judgement until you can get a look for yourself. And if you include a good independent appraiser in the process, you will be very well served in having your needs met.