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Eye-clean 1carat round brilliant diamond: VS2 vs SI1?

Sydneyphoenix

Sydneyphoenix

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Apr 4, 2021
Messages
420
My understanding is that virtually all of GIA VS2 1 carat round brilliant diamonds are eye-clean while only some (though significant proportions) of SI1 diamonds are eye-clean. Exactly what proportions of GIA SI1 diamonds (1ct, round) are eye-clean, and is it worth forking out extra $1000 for VS2 when it’s basically the same to the naked eye?

Also read that in Korea (mind you, their version of colloquial Wikipedia) diamond colour grades below G are not considered gem quality, has anyone heard anything similar from other countries? Thank you in advance!
 
It’s not possible to offer the statistic you are after. I live an eye clean stone with lower clarity. I don’t care about inclusions if I can’t see them. For me then it’s not worth paying more for what I can’t see.

I believe there is a cultural value in many Asian countries that prioritizes colorless diamonds.
 
I think it is wise to consider diamonds stone by stone rather than lumping them all into eye clean or not categories. Most VS2 diamonds will probably be eye clean; however, your definition of eye clean might vary from mine. Look at each individual diamond to determine if it would work for you.
 
MissGotRocks said:
I think it is wise to consider diamonds stone by stone rather than lumping them all into eye clean or not categories. Most VS2 diamonds will probably be eye clean; however, your definition of eye clean might vary from mine. Look at each individual diamond to determine if it would work for you.
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Agreed
 
Some cultures would only consider natural diamonds Type IIa in D FL/IF as the only ones worthy to buy/give/have.

Each to their own.

Although I am HK Chinese by origin and their culture has such a preference, I am not personally tied down by such restrictions myself.

My own mind-clean for a natural diamond is G/H/I in colour and VS/SI in clarity with the best cut as long as it is eye-clean.

On their own G/H are very white even when set in white metals such as Platinum and White Gold.

I can only detect a hint of colour when G/H is right next to a higher colour diamond, e.g. my studs are G/H whereas my 1.19ct EC is E, and I can detect the studs has a tint compared to the E side by side.

Personally, I would drop the colour and clarity in order to get a bigger stone for the same amount of money, with the cut being equal. As I have already mentioned, each to their own, and each person's mind-clean diamond grade is different.

DK :))
 
Thank you all. Interesting that HK have even higher standard preference in terms of colour than Koreans.

One of largest diamond dealers in Australia, Jogia diamonds, do a pre-check for eye-cleanliness when they call a diamond in, so I guess relatively safe to purchase a SI1 diamond as long as the table facet is clean on GIA report.
 
Sydneyphoenix said:
Thank you all. Interesting that HK have even higher standard preference in terms of colour than Koreans.

One of largest diamond dealers in Australia, Jogia diamonds, do a pre-check for eye-cleanliness when they call a diamond in, so I guess relatively safe to purchase a SI1 diamond as long as the table facet is clean on GIA report.
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You need to know what viewing distance they use when deciding if a stone is eye-clean and if you are okay with that distance.
 
I would trust the knowledge and experience of vendors such as White Flash in their assessment of eye-clean myself.

This is Ritani's definition of "Eye-clean" as can be seen on their website when I just Googled for definition of eye-clean in a diamond:

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Link to their website for the full article:

Ritani: What Does "Eye-Clean" Diamond Mean?

DK :))
 
I have assurance from Jogia that they do a pre-check for transparency and eye-cleanliness. Hope they do 15cm/6 inch check.

Would 0.5ct SI1 be more likely to be eye-clean than 1.0ct SI1? Common sense tells me that’s the case…
 
Sydneyphoenix said:
I have assurance from Jogia that they do a pre-check for transparency and eye-cleanliness. Hope they do 15cm/6 inch check.

Would 0.5ct SI1 be more likely to be eye-clean than 1.0ct SI1? Common sense tells me that’s the case…
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No, that is not true. You obviously are not reading what has been posted previously. You would be able to see some inclusions in a .50 SI diamond. Just because it is smaller doesn't mean that you can't see them. Each diamond is different as are its inclusions - you have to determine that for each diamond and not make generalizations about clarity.
 
MissGotRocks said:
No, that is not true. You obviously are not reading what has been posted previously. You would be able to see some inclusions in a .50 SI diamond. Just because it is smaller doesn't mean that you can't see them. Each diamond is different as are its inclusions - you have to determine that for each diamond and not make generalizations about clarity.
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Exactly
 
The hardest part will be finding a VS-Si1 with ideal proportions and cut in your desired size/color so you should really start there.... Once you have your population of potential candidates then move on to the clarity vs price consideration... Best outcome is you find a great cut eye clean Si1 at a nice price....
 
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Good thing about pricing is it’s 40-50% cheaper than what it was a couple of years ago, do you reckon it will fall further?
 
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