Opinion: Cut grade versus clarity

[mi6fox]

Would you rather sacrifice on cut grade or clarity? I am aiming for an ideal cut, and sacrificed on clarity to either an SI1 or VS2

 

[arkieb1]

Would you rather sacrifice on cut grade or clarity? I am aiming for an ideal cut, and sacrificed on clarity to either an SI1 or VS2

People usually trade off clarity, size and colour not cut. A decent cut gives a stone the fire and sparkle. You might be able to buy a near ideal cut or an ideal cut that is eyeclean then you don't have to sacrifice anything.

 

[chrono]

Ideal cut (if round) and as long as it is eye clean, it's good for me.

 

[solgen]

I would sacrifice cut to a certain extent. Depending on the size of the stone you don't really need ideal or super ideal cuts. As long as the ASET looks good I would be willing to sacrifice cut. An ideal H&A cut in stones under say 1.5ct or 7mm in diameter is not crucial. Imperfect H&A cuts with great light performance are fine and you won't notice the lack of symmetry in smaller stones under normal viewing conditions IMO.