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Bianca07

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jan 31, 2006
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I am looking to upgrade my diamond. I have read some posts here about eye clean I1''s, but am still hoping someone could help me out. I''m very concerned about the clarity issue. It doesn''t bother me at all to have an I1 as long as it is eyeclean. In fact I would LOVE to find one, since I know it would save price wise and I am wanting a 2 carat. I just know that they are hard to find and it doesn''t seem likely I would find one as nothing usually goes my way.

I came upon a 2 carat E I1 at a local ma and pa jeweler. I don''t have all the spects as I was reluctant to think I could find a nice I1, but now that I have been reading old posts and thinking about my present stone quality maybe I have. I know he said 61% depth, don''t remember exactly what the table was 54 or 55 not sure as I didn''t think this was a contender as I didn''t think I could find a nice I1.

But now I am thinking this may be good.

My current stone is a RB J VS2, with a very bad cut. Come to find out when I took it to a local jeweler (this is the place with the I1.) they showed me under the microscope that there were a couple of pieces missing! plus the stone isn''t completely round! there''s a flattened part on it. BTW this stone came from Whitehall a few years ago. (Damaged diamonds then, damaged diamonds now. I will never set foot in a mall store again, but anyways...) He did however confirm it was a VS2. It also has a depth of 65%.

When compared to the 2 carat E I1 it looks very yellow, and doesn''t sparkle nearly as much. As far as inclusions I don''t notice a difference between the 2 stones unless under the microscope where my stone is obviously much less included. But to the naked eye I notice nothing. I compared it to SI1''s there and didn''t notice a difference clarity wise either.

Is this possible? this 2 carat E I1 makes my J VS2 look like horrible, but I guess it is considering the shape defect along with the pieces missing and bad cut. Of course it also looks very yellow compared to the E color as well. I just don''t understand how I don''t notice a difference in clarity.

I need to go back to write down the spects and look at it again. I went to another local jeweler to compare and still didn''t find anything nicer to my eyes worth the big bucks. I did see a hideous I1 there though and if I had to choose between that one and the SI1''s the SI1 was way better than that particular I1. I guess I am just wondering why this stone looks so much better than mine why I cannot tell a difference on the clarity with the naked eye.

Do you think this stone would be taking huge steps down from mine stone? I wouldn''t think so considering my stone is obviously deformed and damaged. The price difference between this stone and the SI1''s are so much-and I don''t notice a difference between the 2 that would want me to spend thousands more. If I could see the difference that would be a different issue. We are prepared to pay for a nice SI1, but am thinking why should I if I cannot tell the difference?


Thanks in advance for your help.
 
a well cut stone can easily mask inclusions in the lively sparkle, so it is possible that the better cut stone is eye clean to you even though it is an I1. i would definitely consider it. if you can''t see the inclusions, then it''s a great find. getting a better cut stone is always (always) an improvement, even if the color and clarity are lower. best of luck to you!
 
I would be happy with an I1 if I couldn''t see any inclusuons and it was a better cut.
 
My sister has a 2.03, H I1 and it is a real sparkler and you can''t see a thing but a huge beautiful rock!
 
Hi Bianca-

Like Belle said, I think cut really does make a difference with I1 clarity (well I guess this is true for all stones
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) My mother has a 2.14 I/I1 that is the whitest, most brilliant diamond I''ve seen in a while. It''s noticeably whiter than my friend''s J/VS2 and more sparkly than my cousin''s SI1. You can definitely see some inclusions when you look at it from the side, but see nothing from the top. I went with her to get it appraised (it didn''t have a report) and I was shocked to learn it was an I1. In fact I keep bugging her for pics to put up. All this to say that after this stone I am a believer that amazing I1''s are out there and it looks like you found one! Good luck and keep us posted!
 
Hi Bianca,
You bring up a number of issues. Eye clean and Imperfect to the 1st degree (I1) are not usually spoken in the same breath. You don''t mention anything about the type of inclusion or where it is located, but from my experience, it sounds like an "outer edge" (under the crown area of the stone) type of inclusion that is light in nature and is probably being masked by the dispersion and scintilation of this very well cut stone. Furthermore, a professional grader would/could probably see the included mass with the unaided eye, especially if the stone is loose. If we''ve been talking about a mounted stone, it''s possible that much of the inclsuion is being masked by a prong, but none the less is still an I1 with an eye visible inclusion as seen by a professional.
Having said that, it doesn''t matter what a professional sees. In my opinion, all that matters is that you think it is beautiful when you see it and that you get good value and pay I1 money if you buy it.
In terms of an upgrade, cut and color exhibit the most in the public''s eye. It seems to be a healthy upgrade in my mind, especially since you''ve been wanting a 2ct. This sounds like a great look for relatively short money. I''d seriously consider this opportunity, but before making a final purchase, be sure to get an independent appraiser to take a look and just as importantly, help you to valuate it as an I1 diamond. Hope this helps a little.

Stephen Marino, GG
Professional Appraiser
Boston & vicinity
 
Thank you all for your help. It''s nice to hear about your experiences with these stones and nice to hear about people with them that are happy.

Steve, thank you so much for your expertise- you helped immensely! I will go look at it again and also get it looked at by an independent appraiser. The inclusion I saw under the scope when the stone was loose was indeed at the outer edge and wasn''t black, but was clear-which I hope is good.

This diamond just looks so much more brilliant than mine. It sparkles so much more is and so white. I will have it checked out and I will really hope it pans out.

I guess I just worry that when I am out in public people will see inclusions-and think it''s a bad diamond-just my paranoia-even though I cannot see the inclusion and it looks MUCH better than the diamond on my hand now. I know that no stranger is going to staring close up at it either- just me and I am fine with it. I just don''t want to feel embarrassed when I''m walking around in a store and I see someone eyeing my diamond-Are they looking at the sparkly white fire, the 2 carat size,(which I hope)
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or are they staring because know it''s an I1?
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hmmmm... I think toooo much.

I thank you again for your help and will get it checked out by an independent appraiser.
 
Date: 2/20/2006 6:38:22 PM
Author: Bianca07

I guess I just worry that when I am out in public people will see inclusions-and think it's a bad diamond-just
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Bianca, no one would think that a well cut i1 diamond is a bad diamond if it looks lively and sparkles, a bad cut makes a diamond look bad, not the odd inclusion. Of course bad i1's and i2's are a different matter if they are very included. Also the larger you go, eyeclean may be more problematic as inclusions are more easily seen in larger diamonds. Finding a well cut i1 might be a challenge, but not impossible. If you love this diamond, good for you! Most importantly too you are using your own eyes, they don't lie!
 
Date: 2/20/2006 4:55:07 PM
Author:Bianca07

We are prepared to pay for a nice SI1, but am thinking why should I if I cannot tell the difference?
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Right...

You surely made me curious about this E/I1 ! Is there a alb report? It doesn''t sound too surprising that one I1 graded diamond looks eye clean - there may not be too many out there, but certainly some of these stones have more discrete inclusions that others.

It may help to check the stone in different light situations - i.e. even a very good cut can only be as bright as the light that hits it. And in lower light that the ones over the jeweler''s counter the inclusions may be more visible.

Good cut & small table should mask inclusions pretty well.

Great find! from what you say....

For those 61 depth & 55-ish table, odd angles that may yield iffy brilliance are not as probable as for larger tables (IMO - and a long shot), and there''s so much going on for that particular diamond... However, does the jeweler have a H&A viewer of IdealScope around?
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Just curious.
 
Thanks for all of the input. It makes me feel TONS better to know that as long as this is indeed an eyeclean I1 with a great cut most strangers won''t know it''s an I1.

Valeria, it is GIA certified -He does have an Ideal-scope as well. I just don''t want to be scammed-I''ve almost been down that road before...
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BUT this jeweler has done a lot of work for my family my brother bought my SIL''s ring from there 10 years ago-and she has had him do a lot of other work for her since then(of course upgrades
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)They really trust him. I do as well, but I just want to make sure this is a good stone. I am very confident in knowing that it is GIA certified and it looks good to me-not like the ones I saw at Whitehall covered in black spots and even a knick.

Thank you again for your advice. I sure am beginning to think that it is a MUCH better stone than the one I am wearing now despite being an I1. I am going to go back to see it again and have it independently appraised.
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Date: 2/21/2006 4:10:48 AM
Author: Bianca07

I sure am beginning to think that it is a MUCH better stone than the one I am wearing now despite being an I1.
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Well, IMO you have reason to feel good about this stone because of the I1 rating. You have found a great colorless buy, and trust me, clean looking and well cut I1s are not common. If you wanted one and there wasn''t just the thing in the jeweler''s vault right now, it would take quite a bit of searching. Even if you were looking at Si2 let alone I1.

Good for you!
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Thank you so much Valeria, you have been a GREAT help to me.
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I am very excited now
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Hopefully everything will work out.

Thanks again!
 
Bianca, I wouldn''t hesitate to buy the stone if it is a well cut eyeclean I1. It''s sweet that it''s colorless too. What a find! The fact it has a GIA cert is a plus too. Have it checked out by an independent appraiser, then go from there. I for one, hope it works out great and that you''ll be posting on ''show me the ring'' thread soon. Remember, if it''s pleasing to the eye, then that''s what matters most. GOOD LUCK!
 
This rock sounds great, Bianca. I''m fascinated by well-cut I1 stones. I think they are a great deal, if you can find one that is. The fact that it is an E color and GIA certified is a big plus in my book. Can you post a copy of the cert and IS image (and maybe some pics of the rock itself) for us? What is the jeweler''s return policy?

You know, people always seem to be worried about the clarity of their diamonds, but then they forget to keep them clean after the own it.
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Even a VVS1 diamond will look like an I2 by the end of a week if you wear the ring and don''t give it a cleaning. Your I1 (I''m talking as if it''s already yours
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), will outshine an average cut IF diamond any day. I can''t wait to see it!!
 
Oh, Bianca! It sounds like a GREAT FIND!!!
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I too would love to see pictures!

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Hi Bianca!

I know that I couldn''t be happier with my "upgrade" from my VS2/H princess to my I1/J Jubilee. The inclusion is relatively small, clearish/whitish and partially covered by a prong. I don''t think anyone sees anything but sparkle.
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'');" alt="Insert smilie
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" src="http://www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/30.gif" border="0">

With a great cut, I1s can be a super-duper bargain. Your stone sounds great! Anxious to see pictures, too.
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'');" alt="Insert smilie
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" src="http://www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/41.gif" align="absMiddle border=0">
 
Hi Kathy!

Thanks so much for your reply-it is so nice to hear that someone has a beautiful I1 that they are very happy with.

I just looked at your older posts regarding your upgrade...Wow your ring is absolutely GORGEOUS!!!!! The diamond is beautiful! I bet you get TONS of complements!
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Thank you again for posting- I know the other important factors especially the cut is a major element, but I still couldn''t believe I couldn''t see a difference clarity wise with my unaided eyes between my VS2 and the I1 all I did see was that the I1 has so much more brilliance and sparkle, but then again my ring was such a bad cut.

Thank you again, Kathy. I am so excited!
 
Date: 2/21/2006 2:24:45 PM
Author: Bianca07

my ring was such a bad cut.
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There may be a 'cure' for that. Would you have the respective diamond recut? from your description, it sounds like the stone may loose weight, but not much value after all - there's always a premium for better cut diamonds.

Sine your post, I looked around for D-F/I1s on list here... and there are only a couple. None with much of a cut 'pedigree' (AGS graded SI2 are about twice the money! - Good for you
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) and only one or two come with a note promising that the sample is 'eye cleanish' by seller's account.
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I sure want to see yours by now!



Thanks for the 'thanks'. Glad to help
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Thanks for the sweet compliment on my ring.
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'');" height=15 alt="Insert smilie
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" src="http://www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/1.gif" width="15 border=0"> I''m really happy with it, too.

Like you, I was stunned to see how much of an impact cut had. Conventional wisdom seemed to be "don''t go below VS2 (or possibly SI1) clarity or H color." Then I found pricescope.
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'');" height=15 alt="Insert smilie
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" src="http://www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/9.gif" width="15 border=0"> Boy, was I glad I did. The folks on this board are an incredible source of information and support. I had no idea cut would be such a big deal. And finding that pretty-dang-rare combo of great cut and eye-cleanish I1 is definitely a score!

Can''t wait to hear how (and see!) what you decide to do.
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'');" alt="Insert smilie
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" src="http://www.pricescope.com/idealbb/images/smilies/35.gif" align="absMiddle border=0">
 
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