I1 at zales

[Sam82]

Hello all,

So, today I went to Zales to see what a 3/4 carat rb solitare would look like. I just wanted to see what it would like like on my size 9 ring finger (see my post yesterday). The diamond I saw had a certificate (GIA I think) and was I1 clarity. My point is that I could not see any inclusions in the diamond. Does that mean that I1 can be acceptable? Was my find a fluke?

P.S. I doubt that I would allow my boyfriend to buy from Zales, even though the $2500 price tag is way under our budget.

P.P.S. I think that 3/4 carat is a nice size for me, not too small, but elegant and refined.

 

[JulieN]

There are some nice I1s. Infinity Diamonds cuts quite a few of them.

They are not acceptable if they affect durability of the stone or impart a cloudiness to the stone. Once you know where the inclusions are, you should be able to find them more easily.

 

[jewelerman]

I agree with julie that there are some nice I1 clarity diamonds out there ...you have to look for them...also remember to consider the whole package...what color is the diamond and is it cut well?If its a Zales diamond then it most likely wont have a GIA Cert but an IGI Cert..big differance in my opinion...and most Zales diamond solitaires are cut for weight and not sparkle.Most people that are starting to shop for diamonds cant see the inclusions in an I1 graded diamond,but after shopping they start to learn how to spot the inclusions and see them without magnification.I would call the store and ask for more info from the certification and then post it for us to read and the forum can expain more about the stone then the Zales staff can or will expain.Good Luck

 

[megus]

There is also another factor your not considering.

I have been in Zales many times and I can''t see the flaws in their I2 diamonds while I am in the store. This is because of their lighting. Once you get the diamond outside, you might just find that the shine you thought you were seeing is all gone.

I have seen many of these diamonds after the fact, and you can really see the flaws then.

However, with that being said, there are many great I1''s if you know what to look for. The spread from one I1 to another can be immense.

MEgus

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 6/10/2008 6:06:20 PM
Author:Sam82
Hello all,

So, today I went to Zales to see what a 3/4 carat rb solitare would look like. I just wanted to see what it would like like on my size 9 ring finger (see my post yesterday). The diamond I saw had a certificate (GIA I think) and was I1 clarity. My point is that I could not see any inclusions in the diamond. Does that mean that I1 can be acceptable? Was my find a fluke?

P.S. I doubt that I would allow my boyfriend to buy from Zales, even though the $2500 price tag is way under our budget.

P.P.S. I think that 3/4 carat is a nice size for me, not too small, but elegant and refined.

Yes, some I1 can be eyeclean or close to it, I own 2 myself, but you need to know what to look for and have a bit of luck along the way. Plus a trusted vendor who can be your eyes and describe a diamond of this clarity accurately.

 

[reader]

I1''s can be great stones...but see if you can examine the stone in natural light before purchase, and keep in mind that flaws that are not visible in one kind of setting might really stick out in another.

 

[MonkeyPie]

While I agree with the ladies here, I think it really depends. My best friend has the pear halo wedding set from Zales, it''s an I1, and it''s perfectly clear. We went to another jeweler when I was looking for my ring and looked at hers under the 10x loupe, and didn''t see a single inclusion, and it sparkles like mad no matter the lighting. (Yes, I admit, I am jealous she got to the pear before me - I would have loved to have gotten that set.) Most Zales are pretty far from the doors and natural light, but if you want to be sure, it wouldn''t hurt to ask how it could be accomplished.

 

[canuk-gal]

Date: 6/10/2008 6:06:20 PM
Author:Sam82
Hello all,

So, today I went to Zales to see what a 3/4 carat rb solitare would look like. I just wanted to see what it would like like on my size 9 ring finger (see my post yesterday). The diamond I saw had a certificate (GIA I think) and was I1 clarity. My point is that I could not see any inclusions in the diamond. Does that mean that I1 can be acceptable? Was my find a fluke?

P.S. I doubt that I would allow my boyfriend to buy from Zales, even though the $2500 price tag is way under our budget.

P.P.S. I think that 3/4 carat is a nice size for me, not too small, but elegant and refined.

HI:

I own two I1 stones--each over a carat in size; and I cannot see the inclusions either (they are AGS 0''s). Most certainly, if they are well cut and the inclusions are not unstable, they are more than "acceptable"!

cheers--Sharon

 

[purrfectpear]

Date: 6/11/2008 9:07:39 AM
Author: MonkeyPie
While I agree with the ladies here, I think it really depends. My best friend has the pear halo wedding set from Zales, it''s an I1, and it''s perfectly clear. We went to another jeweler when I was looking for my ring and looked at hers under the 10x loupe, and didn''t see a single inclusion, and it sparkles like mad no matter the lighting. (Yes, I admit, I am jealous she got to the pear before me - I would have loved to have gotten that set.) Most Zales are pretty far from the doors and natural light, but if you want to be sure, it wouldn''t hurt to ask how it could be accomplished.

If you looked at an I1 with a 10X loupe and couldn''t find a single inclusion then it is either graded incorrectly (doubtful) or you need to practice using a loupe

There are "eyeclean" I1''s but I doubt if there are loupe clean I1''s. I could be wrong though.

 

[jewelerman]

There are I1 diamonds that can appear eye clean to the naked eye at first glance ,but by G.I.A. standards a I1 stone will have inclusions that are very easy to spot at 10x.

 

[MonkeyPie]

Date: 6/11/2008 9:53:32 AM
Author: purrfectpear

Date: 6/11/2008 9:07:39 AM

Author: MonkeyPie

While I agree with the ladies here, I think it really depends. My best friend has the pear halo wedding set from Zales, it''s an I1, and it''s perfectly clear. We went to another jeweler when I was looking for my ring and looked at hers under the 10x loupe, and didn''t see a single inclusion, and it sparkles like mad no matter the lighting. (Yes, I admit, I am jealous she got to the pear before me - I would have loved to have gotten that set.) Most Zales are pretty far from the doors and natural light, but if you want to be sure, it wouldn''t hurt to ask how it could be accomplished.

If you looked at an I1 with a 10X loupe and couldn''t find a single inclusion then it is either graded incorrectly (doubtful) or you need to practice using a loupe

There are ''eyeclean'' I1''s but I doubt if there are loupe clean I1''s. I could be wrong though.

Lol that''s pretty possible - I only got to look at it from the top since it was in the setting already, but I didn''t see anything. It was eyeclean on her hand, at least, which is what matters to me more anyway. (Plus it was cheap.)

 

[purrfectpear]

I hear you there. As long as I can''t see any inclusions with my eyes the diamond is good enough for me too. I don''t have any "mind clean" hangups