H - I colour and SI3 to I1 clarity

[engagement girl]

would a ring of 1.56 carats of princess cut as central stone, the rest being in pave set rounds and 16 emerald cut baguettes be a good purchase for $7000? I worry about the clarity of SI3 to I1 as some websites say to not buy these stones as there are too many naked eye inclusions and possible fissures, and they won''t sparkle. the colour i''m fine with. please help!

 

[Hudson_Hawk]

Yes, most people would tell you to stay away from an SI3 stone, which is really a fancier name for an I1. I would not consider this ring unless I''ve seen it and its inclusions in person.

 

[Bella_mezzo]

I would consider an I1 only if it was an Infinity, ACA, or H&A, and only after seeing it. Since SI3 is not a GIA grade I would be very leery of the ring.

You could make something similar using an awesome center stone like this (it''s not as big as the one you mentioned carat-wise, but it will sparkle way more and probably have more presence on your finger:

http://goodoldgold.com/diamond/7062/

http://goodoldgold.com/diamond/6491/ (I would put all my money towards this stone--and save a little longer if necessary, set it in a simple setting for now and then get the more elaborate setting later--this stone is awesome!)

 

[HVVS]

There are folks on PS who have gorgeous I-1 diamonds. Acceptable clarity depends on what's acceptable to you, and why the stone was graded that. (Some inclusions look worse or are more structural risk than others.) Personally, I can stand a small dark spec, if it's definitely unobtrusive most of the time. I might not be so tolerant of feathers, twinning wisps, knots, or something else. As you get into the SI and I grades, the stones are more individualized. And you might need an appraiser's input regarding how the inclusion affects structure. Generally, I'd avoid inclusions in the table area. That said, I bought a gorgeous SI2 with a dark brown spec in the table. I also own an I-1 RB, the inclusions in it are more numerous but more difficult to spot than that spec in the SI2. So it depends on who grades the stone, and whether you like the way it looks. Or can live with the imperfection.

Color: You might notice tint quickly in an I color princess. Again, that's not bad if you like it.

Size: The larger the diamond, the less likely that the inclusions of SI-1 or SI-2 or I-1 will not be visible.

 

[motownmama]

VERY personal; that quality it would make me crazy for an ER, but I''d be more flexible with studs, pendant etc.