Inclusion Question

[piepiezzz]

I am currently looking at SI1 Clarity diamonds on-line. My question is what are usually the safest type of inclusions as far as being "eyeclean". Clouds, Crystals, Feathers, Needles, extra facets
????

 

[jenwill]

I don't know about specific inclusions being less visible- I think it is really what each person is more sensitive to. Some are more sensitive to dark inclusions others to white crystals.

I think it has more to do with the placement of the inclusion- where it is in regards to the table. From reading here, it seems that there are some vendors that posters almost explicitly (implicitly?)trust when they say eye-clean- Jonathan fom GOG and Denise from Whiteflash come to mind.

I think it would also depend on the shape you are looking at. Rounds can hide inclusions a little better than fancy shapes- and when you get to step-cuts like emerald and asscher then they get really visible.

I am still in the Rough Rock phase of existence here, so am also interested in what some of our Cut Rock and Ideals think about this!

 

[moremoremore]

Hmmm, I would think a fancy like a princess or radiant would be better at hiding inclusions. Could be wrong.

An extra facet is not a biggie. An indented natural I don't think will be visible. A twining wisp is your best friend!

I would probably prefer a feather (that didn't touch the surface) or a cloud over a dark crystal...I thought a needle was a little bundle if inclusions but I'm not sure...Hmmm, don't think my post is any help at all

 

[Jennifer5973]

Tolerance for inclusions is indeed very personal. And "eye clean" is subjective. But jenwill does a very good job of summarizing this and the fact that some of the vendors here are very capable of talking through these concerns and provding guidance based on your preference/tolerance. jen is also right on when it comes to well-cut rounds "hiding" things--they don't call them round "brilliants" for nuthin'.

Step cuts like emeralds are highly sensitive to inclusions becasue thay have large planes vs many facets and return light differently, making it easier for a "spot" to show up to the naked eye. You have two options: go with one of the reputable vendors here and get pictures and investigate this way or go to local jewelers (if you have a good one) and look first at a bunch of stones to gauge your tolerance/get an idea. Then you can go back to the online vendors with a better idea of what you prefer.

My personal standards are no carbon and nothing in the table--period.

 

[moremoremore]

lol....what about a "square modified brilliant"...aka a princess cut!

 

[moremoremore]

Dave posted this in another thread...I thought it was interesting...:


Inclusions which reach, breech, the surface of a diamond create more durability issues than closed, non-surface reaching inclusions.

A tiny crystal inclusion may be far smaller than anything categorized as a tiny feather. A feather has to have some length to it, or it wouldn't be called by that name.

A small feather or a small crystal, neither reaching the surface are both about the same.

A feather which breeches the surface is possibly more an issue of durability than a surface reaching crystal. I doubt there is any data on the relative safety of the two.

A large crystal in a stone with a tiny feather has mostly an issue with the crystal.
A large feather in a stone with a tiny crystal has mostly an issue with the feather.
A large feather and a large crystal in the same diamond is not much of a good diamond....

Size of the inclusion, location in the stone, whether it breaks the surface, how visible the inclusion is all come to bear on the decision as to what controls quality and clarity. When you buy a diamond SI1 or better, rarely would inclusions create major headaches in normal wear.

 

[andrewk]

I just spent the last two hours at a local jeweler looking at a half dozen SI1 and SI2 (round brilliants) and I couldn't see any of the inclusions by eye, no matter how hard I tilted or squinted. Using a 10X loupe, sure, but even after knowing where they were, I coud not pick them out. My 'rough rock' status means that my two cents is probably worth about a quarter-penny, but I think you will be quite safe with SI1 for eye-cleanness (especially from a reputable vendor). If you're that worried, you can consider going down one level in color (or 5-10% up in price) to trade up a level for clarity.

-andrewk

 

[piepiezzz]

Thanks for the advice, you guys have been awesome

 

[Jennifer5973]

MMM...hmmm...yeah--I have a band with 5 60+ point princesses SI1-SI2 and I can't see anything w/o a loupe... In one I *think* I see something because now I know it is there.

I just received a 3.01 ct Ideal RB SI2--when the jeweler presented the stone to me, I saw nothing and I had it in my eyeball. I even louped it quickly (the excitement marred my ability to hold the loupe more than 10 seconds

) and saw nothing. Then, I looked at the cert--one mark on the plot--a feather off to the side, not breaking the girdle or hitting near the table. I still couldn't see it with my eyes (this stone has major fire--rainbow sparklies allover in all lights). Now, I can see it with the loupe and if I tilt it just so and look REALLY hard, I think I see it with my eye from about 5 inches away. But for me, the most important factors were cut quality, size and color--clarity is my least concern. I don't like paying for what I can't see. I have a much more sensitive eye for color.

The best test was my friend who has a 2 ct VS1, F Emerald stone...the first thing she said when she saw my new stone is "Oh, My God--it is so clear...What grade is this?" She is a clarity snob.

I felt on top of the world. Had I gone up in clarity, I would have had to settle for a much smaller stone.

It's very personal. Go look and decide what YOUR preferences are.

 

[Dancing Fire]

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On 8/18/2004 2:26:01 PM piepiezzz wrote:

I am currently looking at SI1 Clarity diamonds on-line. My question is what are usually the safest type of inclusions as far as being 'eyeclean'. Clouds, Crystals, Feathers, Needles, extra facets
????----------------

piez
i brought a si1 3+ ct from (Jon said the stone is eyeclean) gog ,i know where the inclusions are located i still can't see it without a loupe ,chris from dave atlas who did the appraisel also call it eyeclean.