Grade Setting Inclusions- How to interpret a GIA certificate & video?

[Swirl68]

Could someone help me to understand more about grade setting inclusions?

The below diamond is just to help me for future reference as it is not a diamond I'm considering purchasing. (A little out of my budget and does not have the strong fluorescence I desire, though I like the color of J in this one.) I am often digging through the SI2's and the I1's where most of the diamonds have filthy plots, and that's ok. I don't care a lick about mind clean. There's a unicorn out there amongst them and one day I will find it.

Please tell me where I'm off track here.
I thought the order the inclusion types are listed on the certificate is stated in the order that they affect the clarity grade of the diamond.

So, looking at the certificate below it lists the following inclusion types under the plot diagram (in this order): crystal, feather, needle, and natural



That would make the primary grade maker a crystal, and then feather, then needle, and the least prominent would be the natural, correct? Although listed in prominence, they are all grade setting inclusions, is that correct or not?

But what do I do about the comments section? It says there is a grade setting cloud. Does that trump all the other inclusions in the list? Do I put the cloud above the crystal in prominence or at the end of the list below the natural? It says A cloud, not clouds plural, or additional clouds, so I assume it is one cloud. But it must be a substantial cloud because it is grade setting cloud. But why would one substantial grade setting cloud not be plotted? I could see a bunch of little ones too numerous to plot, but one big one?

The video below of this diamond definitely looks hazy to me. I assume it's because of the I1 grade setting cloud, makes sense. I guess what doesn't make sense to me is why a cloud that causes this effect is relegated to the comments section. I wasn't expecting it to have as much effect when the other plotted inclusions didn't look that bad to me.

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...-j-color-i1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-6344278

 

[ringo865]

This means the clarity of I1 is based on the cloud that is not plotted. Other stuff in the stone is plotted in the order of significance (but the cloud made it an I1).

 

[flyingpig]

But what do I do about the comments section? It says there is a grade setting cloud. Does that trump all the other inclusions in the list?

Correct.
I do not like I1 clarity based on clouds and/or twinning wisps.
I much prefer big feathers, that actually look like feathers or scars.
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...-g-color-i1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-6290786

 

[lovedogs]

This means the clarity of I1 is based on the cloud that is not plotted. Other stuff in the stone is plotted in the order of significance (but the cloud made it an I1).

This. I am always very wary of SI (and VERY WARY OF I) stones that have clarity based on clouds not shown. To me, that means that the chances of it being hazy or looking "cloudy"/foggy is pretty high, and that negatively impacts light performance.

 

[Swirl68]

Thank you!

 

[TreeScientist]

Correct.
I do not like I1 clarity based on clouds and/or twinning wisps.
I much prefer big feathers, that actually look like feathers or scars.
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-di...-g-color-i1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-6290786

Exactly. While I probably wouldn't buy a SI2 or I1 diamond myself, if I ever did decide to purchase one, it would never have the clarity grade based on clouds, twinning wisps, or graining. That's basically like asking for a hazy diamond.

I'm suspicious of any SI clarity diamond that looks completely spotless in a 20X JA-style video. If it's SI clarity, I should be able to see something. Otherwise, I can usually tell it's one of those "clarity grade based on" diamonds without even looking at the cert.

 

[Siyah]

Are these videos and pics all zoomed in 10x of 20x? Would they still be visible for the naked eye e.g. when it's a S1?

 

[lovedogs]

Are these videos and pics all zoomed in 10x of 20x? Would they still be visible for the naked eye e.g. when it's a S1?

Different websites zoom differently, but many zoom in *20 or even *40. Vendors like Whiteflash will note whether a stone is eye clean, which is helpful. HP diamonds guarantees all their stones are eye clean.

 

[Siyah]

Different websites zoom differently, but many zoom in *20 or even *40. Vendors like Whiteflash will note whether a stone is eye clean, which is helpful. HP diamonds guarantees all their stones are eye clean.

What about Blue Nile? In one of the links which was shared with me, I saw a small inclusion (also rated S1), but never saw something about being eye clean (or not!) being mentioned.

Where should I look for? I can't find anything in the GIA report as well...

 

[Diamond_Hawk]

Regarding photos/videos/zooming.

Almost any vendor that carries a 'virtual inventory' will get video or photos of a diamond from their diamond wholesaler. Meaning, if the diamond is with a wholesaler in New York, the virtual vendor will be dependent upon the New York wholesaler for videos and pictures. If the diamond is held in Singapore, the vendor will be dependent upon the wholesaler in Singapore for the videos and pictures. So, when comparing two diamonds directly, one may be from New York, the other from Singapore (or pick a city) so the video and camera set-ups may be completely different.

This sometimes makes it difficult for direct comparisons. This is one of the reason most internet vendors have a generous return policy or the ability to get the diamond into their possession and take the pictures, make ASETs or I-S images before sending them to you (this may also require the purchase first). Note: If the internet vendor is a traditional drop-shipper (meaning they do not personally inspect the diamond before it is shipped to you), this is not an option.