I need SI2 advice?

[2u77matt]

I recently fell in love with and picked out a Lucere diamond for the custom ring I am having made. It appears to be beautifully cut, but the clarity grade is SI2. Upon looking at it under a microscope, I found the inclusion is in the middle of the stone (can't be hidden under a prong) and is a dark speck. The stone is eye-clean from above, but after seeing it under the scope, I could pick out the inclusion if I looked carefully from the side. I couldn't see the inclusion before knowing where it was and seeing it under a bright jewelers light.

After considering my modest budget and the beautiful brilliance and fire of the stone, I told the goldsmith to go ahead and start. (He wanted the stone picked out before he started so he could customize the ring to the stone.) I'm a little worried about my decision now though, because I could pick out the inclusion from the side. Is this something to be worried about seeing in a four prong setting? I know this comes down to a personal choice about what is good enough, but what would you people think about a diamond like this: eye clean from the top, but small pepper speck visible from the side. Thanks for your response.

P.S. (I love this site, I have learned so much from reading here and exploring the web.)

 

[derekinla]

If the inclusion is only noticeable from the side, and only under close scrutiny, I would say, assuming the cut and price is agreeable to you, to go for it. Day to day, no one will notice it. A 6 prong setting may also help to obscure the inclusion. Good luck!

 

[Giangi]

A lot of SI 2's show inclusions when viewed in table down position. If you want a stone that doesn't show any inclusion whatsoever from every position, you have to look for an IF to VS 1 diamond.
Also, it's very common to spot inclusions with your naked after you've located them under magnification. SI 2's can be great values, but they do have some inclusions... If you're working on a budget and you want a nicely sized inclusion, an SI 2 is a great way to go!

 

[JC]

2u77matt,

Your right, it does come down to personal preference. Keep in mind that you did say that you could only see this inclusion after close inspection from a side view. So from the top the diamond is eye-clean. If you can barely see the inclusion from a side view when the diamond is loose, than just think how hard it will be to see once it has been mounted. I would say that there is most likely a 99% chance that no one else will see the inclusion. Remember, no one other than you will examine that diamond like you have. Everyone else will be admiring it from a respectable distance. So I wouldn't worry. You'll most likely have many people tell you how beautiful your ring looks. After you hear that a half dozens times than you'll start to forget about that inclusion. However, if you are really concerned about this, than why not just go with a 6 prong. Hopefully this helps. Good luck.

 

[aljdewey]

Hi, Matt:




If you're only worried about it because you can see the inclusion from the side, then I'd stick with your stone choice. Stones are graded in the face-up position. You could conceivable up up to a VS-1 stone and still be able to see the inclusion from the side. Once mounted, even in a four-prong setting, the diamond will not be viewed from the side, but from the top.




It sounds like you got a good stone that works for your budget and is eye-clean in the face-up position. That's really all that matters.




Congratulations, and enjoy your purchase!

 

[Mara]

Keep in mind that it really is your personal preference. Some people do not feel comfortable with black carbon inclusions, others do. If its visible from the side most people would never see it. However we were looking at an SI1 that had a pepper spot and it bothered me so we didn't get it. In the end it's your level of comfortability..and if you have already started work on the ring with that stone, I would not worry about it. You made your decision, don't second guess yourself....if you at some point decided that this stone was the one regardless of the pepper spot...then stick with it! I bet only a few people will even notice the spot and who shows their ring from the side view anyway?

 

[2u77matt]

Thanks everyone, for your words of encouragement. I think that is probably all that I needed. I realized just after my original post that I'm in a good situation here. Since I'm having the ring custom made, I'll be interacting with the goldsmith throughout the process. I'll give him a call, let him know my concerns, and maybe we can work out a creative way to hide it or maybe it's just a non-issue. I'll see the wax in a couple of weeks, put the diamonds in and see how it works. The six-prong idea was also good, but my design is a variation on the x-prong, so I kind of need to stick to four.
Thanks

 

[Kamuelamom]

Welcome to Pricescope!!

Sounds like you are on your way! With an SI2 you know you got a great value! Like it's been said, don't be psyched out by what you can't even see with your naked eyes. It will still be a beautiful ring once set.

Congratulations and do keep us posted on the progress.