Input and advice appreciated

[fuzzhead]

Hello,

I''ve been reading the forums for some time but this is my first post. I''m looking for some advice from those who are familiar with certs and inclusions. I''ve narrowed down my search a lot to these four stones ( in no special order )

Diamond #1) Can you notice whether this is a crystal or a cloud? Do you think this will take away from fire and brilliance?
http://www.bluenile.com/round-diamond-2-carat-ideal-cut-g-color-si1-clarity_LD00465457


Diamond #2) Do you think the center inclusions will be visible with the naked eye? Is the SI2 inclusion rating because there are so many, or because they are more visible? Also, the Ideal rating is tough because I dont have enough parameters ( crown and pavillion ) to perform the HCA calculation.
http://www.bluenile.com/round-diamond-2-carat-ideal-cut-g-color-si2-clarity_LD00900072

Diamond #3) This one is a cloud. Do you think this will take away from fire and brilliance?
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamond.asp?find=1&cid=130&item=1186675

Diamond #4) Is the needle on this one going to be visible by the naked eye? Is the needle located under the crystals, or opposite the crystals? I would plan to hide the darkest crystal under/near the prong
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1188039.asp

Thanks for everyone''s help! One of these four stones will hopefully be on my love''s hand in about 2 weeks. Which do you think is the best value?
-Chris

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 9/21/2008 1:53:28 PM
Author:fuzzhead
Hello,

I've been reading the forums for some time but this is my first post. I'm looking for some advice from those who are familiar with certs and inclusions. I've narrowed down my search a lot to these four stones ( in no special order )

Diamond #1) Can you notice whether this is a crystal or a cloud? Do you think this will take away from fire and brilliance?
http://www.bluenile.com/round-diamond-2-carat-ideal-cut-g-color-si1-clarity_LD00465457


Diamond #2) Do you think the center inclusions will be visible with the naked eye? Is the SI2 inclusion rating because there are so many, or because they are more visible? Also, the Ideal rating is tough because I dont have enough parameters ( crown and pavillion ) to perform the HCA calculation.
http://www.bluenile.com/round-diamond-2-carat-ideal-cut-g-color-si2-clarity_LD00900072

Diamond #3) This one is a cloud. Do you think this will take away from fire and brilliance?
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamond.asp?find=1&cid=130&item=1186675

Diamond #4) Is the needle on this one going to be visible by the naked eye? Is the needle located under the crystals, or opposite the crystals? I would plan to hide the darkest crystal under/near the prong
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Round-Diamond-1188039.asp

Thanks for everyone's help! One of these four stones will hopefully be on my love's hand in about 2 weeks. Which do you think is the best value?
-Chris

First BN diamond you would need to ask them to look at it for you. Be very wary with the second as the SI2 clarity grade is based on clouds not shown, so there is a chance it could affect brilliance, also not enough cut info to be able to assess this diamond, I would suggest scratching that one.

The first JA looks promising, as to the cloud you would need to ask them, and with the last diamond the same thing, only the vendor who has access to the diamonds can tell you if various inclusions will be visible or not, or if the diamond is eyeclean to your standards.

If the third diamond is eyeclean and the cloud does not pose a problem, that would be my pick out of these.

 

[fuzzhead]

Thanks Lorelei!

I am younger (26) and can often spot clustered SI1 crystals with my naked eye, so I have been avoiding them.

How easy are clouds to spot by eye do you think? I haven''t been able to find any good photos of cloud inclusions. Are they dark and black, or are they light / bubbly?

Maybe I should keep looking...

Thanks,
-Chris