Going higher on Color and lower on Clarity to save some money, which way would you go?

[MP]

I''ve been looking at several stones and I am interested to hear peoples opinions on whether or not it''s better to go lower on color and higher on clarity or higher on color and lower on clarity to save some money. A friend of mine who was recently married went with a 1.83 F colored princess with an Si2 clarity and the stone looks amazing. The inclusions that are in it aren''t visible. How hard is it to find and an eye clean Si2 and what exactly are you getting yourself into if you go with an Si2?

Which way would you go dimaond experts? Obviously you''d want to get the best bang for your buck, but my thought process is that if it looks amazing to the eye than it''s an amazing stone. I could care less what it looks like under a microscope.

 

[Lorelei]

Cut is what gives a diamond it's beauty, so if you can find a clean SI2 ( and there are many here who have) then that is great! Finding an eyeclean SI2 clarity needs the help of an expert vendor who can look at the diamond for you and advise, as SI clarities can vary, also you need to let the vendor's know what your comfort level is regarding visible inclusions. So many here, myself included would choose an eyeclean diamond of this clarity if the cut was great! Colour is a personal thing, but if you like a colourless diamond and so happen to find one with that and an excellent cut and SI clarity, so much the better. There are many here who think like you do.

I really like this thread for it's advice on clarity and ' eyecleanliness."

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/clarity-eye-clean-definition-interpretation-and-taste.30483/

 

[AGBF]

Hi, MP-

I saw the title and had to look in. Lorelei certainly gave you the party line. That cut is "king" is the accepted truth here. Different individuals have preferences for what they would want next: size, clarity, or color. You seem to have decided that you want size, but are willing to compromise on either color or clarity. I would make that decision based on how you feel about color. I like colorless stones and am very sensitive to color, so I go for higher color. One of the other regular posters here has said that spending extra money for higher color is like spending $28 for a loaf of bread. It depends on you and what you like. If you like warm colors, don''t waste money on colorless diamonds.

Deborah

 

[Diamond Confused]

I think A G VS2 is the best of both world.

 

[sera]

I have an F SI2 as well. I would have gone with a G and *possibly* and H, but ADORE my F color!!! Mine is eyeclean... you can't see a thing. I was able to go up in size and color by going down in clarity (which isn't noticeable anyway). Color is noticeable and for my e-ring I wanted icy white, though for a vintage ring I would love a warm one. Had a budget not been an issue I most likely would have gone up to VS2 or VS1.

Finding another like mine (JUST under a ct at .99) would not have been easy. I think chances are better finding one through Good Old Gold (where I got mine) or Whiteflash or other trusted vendors who have the stones in-house and hand select them for their beauty. Finding an eyeclean SI2 in the mall... near impossible I would guess.

A lot of people here have gorgeous diamonds that are lower in clarity. They face up super white because they are well cut. It's personal preference... some don't like icy white, some don't like warmth. You can look at *well cut* diamonds to get a feel for where your sweet spot on color is.

 

[Sparkalicious]

MP - Providing that the cut is priority and you have determined that you have a preference for "colorless" diamonds as opposed to those that display some warmth, my personal choice would be to go higher in color and lower in clarity.

The reason for this is that my experiences have demonstrated to me that color is much more evident in a diamond than is clarity. You don''t need a loupe, a microscope or any other visual aid to see the difference in tones b/n a diamond in the D - F range, as opposed to one in the G - I range. The "warmth" of the G - I range can be quite plain to see, given the right light circumstances. The same is true of the icy whiteness of the diamonds in the D - F range.

If the inclusions present in an SI1or 2 stone, for example, are not visible to the unaided eye then, as far as I am concerned, the beauty of the diamond remains unmarred.

 

[marcy]

Everyone has given you great advice so I would just agree I would go for the higher color and lower clarity as long as it is eye clean.

 

[bee*]

Date: 2/1/2008 1:12:27 AM
Author: marcyc
Everyone has given you great advice so I would just agree I would go for the higher color and lower clarity as long as it is eye clean.

ditto. If you''re open to lower colours also, there are so many white I''s and J''s also. An excellent cut if definitely the first thing to look for though.

 

[mela lu]

There is nothing I can add that has not been said

I have a G SI1 and I''m thrilled!