Driving myself nuts! Is this a safe SI2?

[barbiebien]

So i finally picked a setting i love now it's time for the stone. I found one that really seems a nice bang for my buck. It's the color i like the best of all (G) and it's a really large size IMO LOL .70 carats. It's graded by AGS as a triple 0 and it looks good.

But.... it's an SI2 and i've been told it's eye clean the feathers in the lower half might be a problem? There has been lots of talking about SI2 inclusions and how dangerous they might be depending on location so i was wondering if this stone will be problematic. Thanks in advance

 

[fridays_child]

Did you see this article barbiebien? It's very good and contains the opinions of many PS-respected professionals - appraisers and stone cutters.

https://www.pricescope.com/journal/diamond_feather_inclusions_durability_risk

I read it before buying my stone which is an SI 1 old european cut (old not new) and has a feather inclusion sort of near the girdle area (it's lower than the girdle plane, or under the girdle plane and doesn't reach any outer surfaces). I felt comfortable buying the stone, I'm not worried about it chipping.

I think .7 is a great size!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Only your vendor, who can examine the stone in person, can really answer that question for you. Did they say that the stone is eyeclean from the sides?

 

[fridays_child]

Only your vendor, who can examine the stone in person, can really answer that question for you. Did they say that the stone is eyeclean from the sides?

Perhaps I misunderstood barbiebien's original concern, but she used the words "problematic" and "dangerous", so I thought she was referring to chips/cracks and not just the degree of eye-cleanness. In which case, I would have to disagree with diamondseeker's opinion that you should make your decision solely on the vendor's opinion.

One vendor I dealt with encouraged me NOT to walk away from a stone that had a girdle rated as "extremely thin" on the GIA certification. Their reasoning was that the OEC had survived that long, it should be fine. (Of course, we don't know if that loose stone had been bezel set for many years ) In the end, I decided I didn't want to chance it, nor did I want to be restricted to bezel setting the stone, and bought another stone from a different vendor. I know some would be fine buying a stone with an extremely thin girdle, and some would not be fine with the feather inclusion in my stone.

Everyone needs to decide for themselves I think. An examination by an independant appraiser would be very helpful with this decision, of course.

 

[barbiebien]

That's correct. I am thinking about safety. The seller isn't really informative though so i might go with another stone to be sure.

 

[Gypsy]

One vendor I dealt with encouraged me NOT to walk away from a stone that had a girdle rated as "extremely thin" on the GIA certification. Their reasoning was that the OEC had survived that long, it should be fine. (Of course, we don't know if that loose stone had been bezel set for many years ) In the end, I decided I didn't want to chance it, nor did I want to be restricted to bezel setting the stone, and bought another stone from a different vendor. I know some would be fine buying a stone with an extremely thin girdle, and some would not be fine with the feather inclusion in my stone.

With old cuts you hear this 'logic' a lot. It costs 350 a carat for a recut. Personally I'd just send the diamond in to get the girdle rehabbed. Several of us (including me) have done this with their stones and BGD has been fabulous. Very little spread or weight lost, no faceting change and lots of peace of mind.

If you are looking for an old cut, don't the girdle bother you too much, as this is an easy solution. It takes about 3 weeks for them to send it, have it done, and get it back and it's totally worth it.

I sent a 1.26 stone with SI2 clarity because of chips in for a repolish (the facets were abraded on mine it wasn't just the girdle) and re-girdle and I got back a 1.25 VS2 with great polish and more fire as a result of the better polish. Totally worth it.

Audball sent in her .81 point stone and got back I think an .80 (I'm not positive on the start weight but I am on the end weight) and all hers needed was a girdle. Beautiful result and now she can set it any way she likes.

 

[Gypsy]

There's a lovely .76 old cut on ebay right now in a really gorgeous setting at a great price. If you might be interested I'd be happy to have you on contact me through Diamond Bistro (my DB name is plizzard (and I have a Kwiat pendant on sale there now) and I' be happy to share the link in a 'steal free' zone.

 

[fridays_child]

One vendor I dealt with encouraged me NOT to walk away from a stone that had a girdle rated as "extremely thin" on the GIA certification. Their reasoning was that the OEC had survived that long, it should be fine. (Of course, we don't know if that loose stone had been bezel set for many years ) In the end, I decided I didn't want to chance it, nor did I want to be restricted to bezel setting the stone, and bought another stone from a different vendor. I know some would be fine buying a stone with an extremely thin girdle, and some would not be fine with the feather inclusion in my stone.

With old cuts you hear this 'logic' a lot. It costs 350 a carat for a recut. Personally I'd just send the diamond in to get the girdle rehabbed. Several of us (including me) have done this with their stones and BGD has been fabulous. Very little spread or weight lost, no faceting change and lots of peace of mind.

If you are looking for an old cut, don't the girdle bother you too much, as this is an easy solution. It takes about 3 weeks for them to send it, have it done, and get it back and it's totally worth it.

I sent a 1.26 stone with SI2 clarity because of chips in for a repolish (the facets were abraded on mine it wasn't just the girdle) and re-girdle and I got back a 1.25 VS2 with great polish and more fire as a result of the better polish. Totally worth it.

Audball sent in her .81 point stone and got back I think an .80 (I'm not positive on the start weight but I am on the end weight) and all hers needed was a girdle. Beautiful result and now she can set it any way she likes.

Sorry Gypsy!!! I think the OP is looking for an RB, not an OEC. My reply just muddled things I thought diamondseeker was saying that you should rely on your vendor to decide whether or not a stone is in danger of being susceptible to chipping. I was saying you ultimately have to make that decision yourself, based on the info you can get from the vendor and appraiser.

When I ruled out the extremely thin girdle stone, I didn't realize you can get stones rehabbed. Great suggestion for the future, thanks! (Although I won't be buying anything soon, that's for sure!)

 

[fridays_child]

That's correct. I am thinking about safety. The seller isn't really informative though so i might go with another stone to be sure.

If you haven't read the pricescope article on feathers yet, it has some good info in there. If the seller isn't super communicative, maybe keep looking? I would be hesitant, especially without good images and a good return policy.

Best of luck to you!

 

[barbiebien]

Yes i read that thank you. I think it say's it's mostly safe but always be aware of the location and size. Since these feathers are also quite long so it might not be the best option. I can return but blue nile isn't the best with answering my questions and if i was in the stares i would use another vendor.

 

[ruby59]

There is also a gorgeous 1 carat old european cut diamond on ebay that has an EGL cert.

 

[Laila619]

If feathers are the grade setting inclusions for SI2 (which they are on this diamond), I would pass and look for a different stone. To me, it's not worth the durability risk (even if it's small). Others may not mind though. You'll have to decide what you're comfortable with. Some people say insure it and don't worry about it.

 

[Dreamer_D]

If feathers are the grade setting inclusions for SI2 (which they are on this diamond), I would pass and look for a different stone. To me, it's not worth the durability risk (even if it's small). Others may not mind though. You'll have to decide what you're comfortable with. Some people say insure it and don't worry about it.

I agree with this.

If you proceed, then schedule and appointment with a trusted and skilled appraiser local to you and have them evaluate the diamond loose.

 

[barbiebien]

i think i will pass, it would drive me crazy thinking bout the feathers