Inclusions harder to see in smaller stones?

[Sam82]

I was at Sears looking at rings. I''ve been kind of nervous about getting a stone that''s .80 carats. I don''t have a choice because 1 ct is not in the budget. Anyway, I was looking at the size difference between the 3/4 and 1 ct ring. I noticed the inclusions right away on the 1 ct (it was I1-I2) yet I didn''t see any on the 3/4 ct. The same thing happened a while ago with a 3/4 carat I1 at Zales. Lastly, the ring my grandmother gave me contains SI2-I1 stones that are about .25 carats. They look eye clean to me. Is there any truth to what I believe I''m seeing?

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 9/23/2009 6:29:30 AM
Author:Sam82
I was at Sears looking at rings. I've been kind of nervous about getting a stone that's .80 carats. I don't have a choice because 1 ct is not in the budget. Anyway, I was looking at the size difference between the 3/4 and 1 ct ring. I noticed the inclusions right away on the 1 ct (it was I1-I2) yet I didn't see any on the 3/4 ct. The same thing happened a while ago with a 3/4 carat I1 at Zales. Lastly, the ring my grandmother gave me contains SI2-I1 stones that are about .25 carats. They look eye clean to me. Is there any truth to what I believe I'm seeing?

Which lab had graded these diamonds? This can make a difference, some labs grade less strictly than GIA or AGS, which are considered to be the top two grading labs in the USA. Size of the diamond can also make a difference but if you are looking at diamonds of I1 or I2 grade which might be graded by the lesser known labs then it is probable you will see inclusions. Also colour, type, location, size etc of the inclusions themselves and the type of lighting you are viewing in can make a difference too, so you might see inclusions more easily in one diamond more than another. Also a one carat diamond is a little larger than .80 ( usually 6.5mm and 6mm respectively in diameter assuming well cut stones) so this could also make a difference IF you were viewing well cut diamonds but this might not have been the case.

Also well cut diamonds can " hide" inclusions more effectively than a lesser cut stone due to the superior light return ( sparkle) making inclusions less obvious.

You might enjoy this new article by Pricescope's Coatimundi - what is an eyeclean diamond?

This thread is also very useful - https://www.pricescope.com/communit...an-definition-interpretation-and-taste.30483/

 

[Sam82]

The stones were graded by IGI.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 9/23/2009 7:13:01 PM
Author: Sam82
The stones were graded by IGI.

IGI are believed to grade more leniently than GIA or AGS so the chances increase you might see more in the way of inclusions in this case.