How noticable is lightly included?

[MommaChristine]

Seems like I can see the inclusions but I''ve also felt like I could see some in stones considered "eye clean". Would you buy a lightly included stone?

 

[arjunajane]

It may be easier and more practical if you try to keep related questions to the same thread.

I''m sorry I can''t answer as everything depends on the individual stone.

 

[MommaChristine]

Point taken.

 

[arjunajane]

Date: 1/16/2009 1:11:17 AM
Author: MommaChristine
Point taken.

Thanks Christine. It just makes info easier to follow, and also for those searching the forums later to find.
Is this one of the stones in your other thread?

The only thing I will say about inclusions is don''t go just by the photo. I have more personal experience in discussing diamond (not C.S) inclusions -
but I imagine the principal is the same - ask the vendor for more info, more pics if really concerned, and reserve judgement for when you see the stone in person.

hope that helps a lil

 

[ma re]

It depends on the type and position of the inclusions, as well as the specimen and color of the stone. Sometimes even moderate inclusions don''t detract too much from the stone, while "slightly included" can mean one tiny black dot right in the middle of it, making it quite obvious. However, inclusions are less noticable in darker stones, as well as the more lively ones with small facets. That''s why clarity is very important in step cuts. I guess you have to see it to really evaluate it.

 

[arjunajane]

Date: 1/16/2009 3:52:30 AM
Author: ma re
It depends on the type and position of the inclusions, as well as the specimen and color of the stone. Sometimes even moderate inclusions don''t detract too much from the stone, while ''slightly included'' can mean one tiny black dot right in the middle of it, making it quite obvious. However, inclusions are less noticable in darker stones, as well as the more lively ones with small facets. That''s why clarity is very important in step cuts. I guess you have to see it to really evaluate it.

Yup, what he said. lol..

 

[Kismet]

It''s also going to depend on what type of colored stone you''re talking about. Slight inclusions on Type I stones would probably be eye clean but slight inclusions on Type III stones would probably be visible to the naked eye. Look here for a nice description of clarity grading.

 

[chrono]

Agreed with all the posters above. That said, it also depends on your eyes. Sometimes the vendor might call it eye clean but YOU can see it. Just like with diamonds, some vendors might call the SI1 eye clean but the eagle eyed folks might be able to spot it and it''ll bug them forever. The reverse is also true. A slightly included stone as stated by the vendor might be eye clean to YOU if you have not so good eye sight or a less trained eye.

 

[T L]

Inclusions are such a subjective thing as well. For example, they're less noticable typically in colored vs colorless stones. It is often very acceptable to have a fine ruby or emerald with inclusions since those stones are Type III or very typically included stones. I would be very suspect of a very clean emerald or ruby being synthetic. However, that being said, in any colored stone, I don't mind a few inclusions as long as they don't overwhelm the stone, and the color is exceptional. That's just me however, some people can't stand inclusions at all (and incidentally, those are the same people that can't stand emeralds!).

If I saw a stone with exceptional color with a few inclusions, I rather have that stone than a clean stone with lesser color. Those inclusions also sometimes help keep the cost down as well. Just be leary of inclusions that break the surface of the stone since they can hamper durability.

 

[Harriet]

It depends on whether you''re the seller or the buyer.

I gave up on one vendor whose grading was, shall we say, consistently generous.

 

[Sagebrush]

Harriet,

Shame on you, such cynicism. Unfortunately you are also correct, there is the buyer's eye and the seller's eye. There are times when I think I am speaking Mandarin. I ask a supplier if a stone is eye-clean and the answer is yes then I get the stone and I can see the inclusion from half a mile away.

Technically "lightly included" can have a number of meanings depending on the standard used. AGL for example, uses 2X so an eye-clean gem can get an AGL grade of LI2. Personally, I Like the GIA clarity standard; If, VVS, VS, SI, I. With diamonds use it under 10X, with colored gems under the naked eye (assuming 20x20 vision). AGL uses L1 and 2, MI 1 and 2, HI 1 and 2. This mirrors the GIA system, again using 2X. A diamond above the grade SI2 will generally not show visible inclusions face up though larger stones will.

My own proprietary system, the one I use on my site, has a 1-5 for all grading categories and a 1-10 for total quality. So a 5.0 is eye flawless.

Be Careful out there,

 

[Harriet]

Ouch, Richard.