Find your diamond
Find your jewelry
shape
carat
color
clarity

I like an I1 but probably shouldn’t buy it... right?

pearaffair

pearaffair

Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
Jun 15, 2015
Messages
3,445
There’s an I1 I like. I love the setting and the size of the stone! Love love love. In the pics I don’t see any crazy obvious problems, but it’s probably crazy to buy it, right? Even if it’s eye clean, it’s almost certain to have durability problems?

I’d post more details but I don’t want a lurker to snipe it :)
 
Can you put it on hold first? Then share the deets? :Up_to_something2:
 
I’ve owned an I1 diamond. It was an amazing price and I was able to buy a much larger diamond due to the lower price.
There are beautiful I1 diamonds to be found. Just make sure you ask the PS experts to look them over for you before you buy.
 
My first engagement diamond is an eye clean SI1
 
I think it depends on the inclusions, where they are, the price, etc. But it's not a definite "no" in my view.
 
No necessarily, my best friend is a PSer. Her center stone is from what is now JA. H/I1. I have never noticed the inclusions, even when she has let me wear it. She is on her as Virginia. Another PSer from when I was first on her called Widget had a great I1 set in a three stone. If it makes your heart sing, go for it. Inclusions can be tricky but an honest vendor can discuss how you plan to set it (ie pendant, ring, bracelet, prong, bezel etc) and help you assess if the nature of the inclusions would cause a greater than typical risk.
 
If it looks good to your eyes, that is the important factor. I have sold many I1 diamonds that were quite beautiful. They sell much more easily in a retail store than on the Internet, as then it is the eye of the buyer that is making the decision, not the piece of paper.

Wink
 
Great tips, everyone. I will reveal more as soon as I am able :)

For now, one more question: Is it just feathers that could mean a problem with durability? Or are there other inclusions that I should watch out for? I’m thinking to buy it and get t immediately appraised so I can see if it will have durability issues. And then return it if it’s not pretty or durable.
 
My OEC is an EGL SI3 so technically an I1 in GIA grading. It’s got that due to 2 chips on the girdle and a crown facet because there’s nothing I can see otherwise either with a 30x loupe or on the plotting diagram. So sometimes the grade isn’t as indicative as it seems
 
I recently saw an I1 OMC at OWD and I would have absolutely bought it if I hadn’t got Bella.
 
pearaffair said:
Great tips, everyone. I will reveal more as soon as I am able :)

For now, one more question: Is it just feathers that could mean a problem with durability? Or are there other inclusions that I should watch out for? I’m thinking to buy it and get t immediately appraised so I can see if it will have durability issues. And then return it if it’s not pretty or durable.
Click to expand...
There are several inclusions that can cause durability issues. Knots are the first that come to mind. I’d suspect that cavities and chips could too unless they’re covered by prongs/bezels.
 
A few years ago, ok, more than a few years ago now. LOL Time flies! I helped my brother in law buy his wife a new set for their 15th anniversary. Wink sold me the most beautiful I-1 stone I had seen. It was completely eye clean, & sparkly. I can't remember now what colour it was, as it was a few years ago..LOL, but Wink picked a great stone. Great I-1's are out there. I have to check back in the old threads if I can find it. =)2
 
@Rockdiamond has some incredible I1s as well. I agree with others that clarity isn't everything, especially if you are going into the purchase with "eyes open" about the inclusions and what they mean for durability, etc.
 
A significant problem with I1 clarity is that it is a hard resale, even SI2 could be problematic as people generally steer away from them. That said, if the stone is upgradable or a really, really great deal, I would understand why you want to go for it.
 
SimoneDi said:
A significant problem with I1 clarity is that it is a hard resale, even SI2 could be problematic as people generally steer away from them. That said, if the stone is upgradable or a really, really great deal, I would understand why you want to go for it.
Click to expand...

You guys have all given me great advice, but this more than anything is pretty crucial!! I have diamond ADD so I need to be mindful of resale value.
 
personally, i wouldn't buy an I1 if I planned on resale. Higher clarity stones are discounted significantly and and I1 would definitely be a hard sell, IMO. BUT, if you plan on keeping it, then I'd say go for it if it looks good to you, no matter the clarity grade. But if you really have diamond ADD and sell or trade often this might not be the stone for you.
 
SimoneDi said:
A significant problem with I1 clarity is that it is a hard resale, even SI2 could be problematic as people generally steer away from them. That said, if the stone is upgradable or a really, really great deal, I would understand why you want to go for it.
Click to expand...
I agree..My first pair of studs are just under 2ctw but they are SI2’s..have a decent cut but have no idea how well they’re cut..H colored. This is from having them appraised still in the setting. They do sparkle a lot..but not as much as my current studs. I would sell them but I think it would be hard because they’re SI2’s.
 
A2CBC826-E232-4730-8181-0E3348BF836A.jpeg I think there’s probably a huge crack (feather?) on the lower right... but wouldn’t it be cool if the inclusions were not offensive? I love this ring but it’s such a gamble. Not sure if I feel like the hassle of returns.
 

Attachments

  • B36BD879-A444-464E-936E-9277763D9727.png
    B36BD879-A444-464E-936E-9277763D9727.png
    865.8 KB · Views: 31
Is there a better, much less over exposed picture?
 
All diamonds are a hard resell. The way to maximize your return is to be patient and find the right buyer. Obviously there are other buyers who will think the same way you do, but if you see yourself needing to unload it to a pawn broker in a hurry you will get a very bad offer instead of just a bad offer.
 
ChristineRose said:
All diamonds are a hard resell. The way to maximize your return is to be patient and find the right buyer. Obviously there are other buyers who will think the same way you do, but if you see yourself needing to unload it to a pawn broker in a hurry you will get a very bad offer instead of just a bad offer.
Click to expand...

Soooo true! Thanks for the reality check!
 
I wear an I1 OEC and I love it. I bought it at a pawn store so saw it with my own eyes first, and the cut is perfect for me. You can see the inclusion very clearly in this particular picture

Because I bought the stone at a pawn store I know I can get my money out of it, but I don't think I'll get tired of this ring (which is much sturdier than my vintage Art Deco engagement ring).Screenshot_20180825-210409_Photos.jpg
 
Last edited:
JMK said:
I wear an I1 OEC and I love it. I bought it at a pawn store so saw it with my own eyes first, and the cut is perfect for me. You can see the inclusion very clearly in this particular picture

Because I bought the stone at a pawn store I know I can get my money out of it, but I don't think I'll get tired of this ring (which is much sturdier than my vintage Art Deco engagement ring).Screenshot_20180825-210409_Photos.jpg
Click to expand...

Oh that’s a great example!! Is the inclusion a small dot near the centre?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
GET 3 FREE HCA RESULTS JOIN THE FORUM. ASK FOR HELP
Jewelry Blog
PriceScope-Concierge-Ad
Find prime cuts.
Top