Is GIA SI clarity "good enough?"

[read22]

So I've obviously been on this forum a lot recently, and as many of you know, I'm looking for a specific setting. I thought I had the center stone completely picked out, but after rummaging around through the site, I realized I definitely wasn't as informed as I thought. In my search for an engagement, I basically told each jeweler that I wanted the lowest diamond I could afford that still looked great (I know, I know, so does everyone else). Every single jeweler told me that if that were the case, I should basically never go below G, VS2. So my search has always been for a G, VS2.

After talking to several PS-approved companies, I've been shown quite a few other options for larger diamonds in my price range, but they're all G/H SI1 and SI2. They look great in the pictures I'm being shown, but still--they're just pictures. Are SI stones good for engagement rings? I definitely don't want the lady friend to be able to see any imperfections, so being eye clean is a must, and I was pretty sure that the SI range was not eye clean.

Do your thing PriceScope. You haven't let me down yet. And thanks.

 

[MqLove]

Not all SI diamonds are eye-clean, but a lot are, and need to be individually checked. An eye-clean SI1 shouldn't be too difficult to find, but an eye-clean SI2 is a lot harder (and it depends how you measure something to be 'eye-clean'- 6" or 1"?)

Most VS2 are eye-clean, so staying in that range should be fine, but there will be some that aren't, so they should still be checked out to make sure.

Make sure you talk to the companies and get them to only give you diamonds that are eye-clean to your requirements...

 

[milton333]

I have an eye clean H SI1. One thing about color and clarity is that it depends a bit on the size of the diamond. Our eyes don't see small things well, and with a sparkly, flashing diamond, it's hard to focus on it. Color and clarity become more apparent the larger the diamond gets, because there's more to focus on. So, part of this is what size you're looking at.

As far as color, are you looking at an RB? If so, an excellent-to-ideal cut will face up whiter than some other shapes, and poor cuts. My H is .82 ct, very white, I've never noticed a tint.

SI1 clarity means that means that it is easy to see inclusions under 10x magnification. Not necessarily with the naked eye. Some inclusions are more bothersome than others, and the location of the inclusion within the diamond is also an issue. A carbon spot smack in the middle of the table may be visible without magnification. A small crystal near the girdle? Maybe not.

You certainly can get eye-clean SI1s. It's often possible to get eye-clean SI2s. But you'll want to either buy in person or work with a respected vendor that can evaluate the eye cleanness for you. SI1 is definitely a better value, if you can ensure it is eye clean.

Here's some good info on clarity: http://www.goodoldgold.com/4Cs/Clarity/SI/

 

[slg47]

as far as 'good enough'...depends. for many people, yes, SI1/SI2 is good enough for an engagement ring. (SI1 is also 'good enough' for Tiffany's). Some people prefer VS or VVS...nothing wrong with that either.

like previous posters have said, definitely possible to find SI stones with no visible inclusions.

 

[read22]

Thanks for the responses everyone; Sig, I especially liked your crack about Tiffany's.

More details: I'm looking at purchasing a radiant cut, somewhere in the .95-1.15 range. I originally had a GIA Cert'd, G VS2 picked out, but a few reputable jewelers have given me some more options that end up giving me more carat for the money--the obvious give comes in color and clarity. It seems you all may have answered it, but I just wanted to make certain that in considering a larger SI diamond, I didn't end up costing myself a more beautiful center stone. To me, eye clean means exactly that--if you were to give me the diamond and let me inspect it to my heart's content, I wouldn't be able to find a flaw.

Thanks again.

 

[Amys Bling]

As long as it is eyeclean it's perfect for me

 

[heather2012]

My bf bought me a ring with a 2.1 carat diamond, SI1 and H in color. I could not even see the inclusion under the loupe that's how difficult it was--he found the inclusion under the loupe after analyzing it for atleast 40 seconds, but there is absolutely no way it was visible to the naked eye.

 

[hearts-arrows_girl]

I had an H SI1 2.03ct stone, and never saw the inclusion without a loupe (small crystal on table), and it always looked very white to me. It was a gorgeous stone. So, yes, I think an eyeclean GIA SI1 and H color is more than good enough and a great way to be able to get a larger stone. Good luck with your search.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Generally, yes of course SI1 and SI2 are just fine.

For you, it will depend on whether you can see the inclusions and how hard you want it to be to see those inclusions, and that all varies diamond by diamond. If you are okay with a little hunting/searching its a great way to save some moolah.