Question about clarity

[Nomsdeplume]

Hi all!
I have a question regarding I1 & I2 & I3 clarity stones.
Would these inclusions be very obviously visible to the naked eye? Are we talking cloudiness or cracks?
I''m not looking at a specific stone, but I am curious.

 

[Amethyste]

an I stone means "included" and the inclusions are visible to the unaided eye. The lower you go in the "I", the more inclusions you''ll find and the worst they''ll look. There are nice I1s out there... you have to look for it. And truly aweful stone in the I that are sold that looks like frozen spit, or poo

 

[ckrickett]

Date: 8/14/2009 4:47:54 PM
Author: Amethyste
an I stone means ''included'' and the inclusions are visible to the unaided eye. The lower you go in the ''I'', the more inclusions you''ll find and the worst they''ll look. There are nice I1s out there... you have to look for it. And truly aweful stone in the I that are sold that looks like frozen spit, or poo

yeah frozen spit is not so nice. I think someone got lucky on here and found an eyeclean I2, I''ll search for the thread

 

[ckrickett]

https://www.pricescope.com/forum/show-me-the-ring/our-stone-1-71-h-i1-t42112.html

 

[FB.]

Clarity depends on your eyesight and how close and how thoroughly the diamond will be inspected.
Clarity can also depend on whether you know the location of the inclusions (or whether most inclusions are on the underside of the stone and won''t be seen). Once you''ve seen the inclusions with a loupe and pinpointed their location, it''s sometimes possible to see things as small as VS2 inclusions with the naked eye. But without having first seen them with a loupe, you would not expect to positively identify them by eye.
There will be some I1''s with hard-to-spot inclusions. You might be lucky enough to find one. But a randomly chosen I1 has too much risk of not being eye clean, so you must confirm whether a stone is eye clean before buying.
I prefer VS clarity. It''s the grade that (if graded properly and certificated by a top lab) guarantees eye-clean to casual observers and also allows you to see the "birthmarks" of your diamond with a loupe, if you wish.
For the right stone, I might go down to SI2 clarity and accept one that was almost eye clean. But only in special circumstances.

 

[oneandahalfrock]

Date: 8/14/2009 4:41:06 PM
Author:kribbie
Hi all!

I have a question regarding I1 & I2 & I3 clarity stones.

Would these inclusions be very obviously visible to the naked eye? Are we talking cloudiness or cracks?

I''m not looking at a specific stone, but I am curious.

By very definition, yes... but not all diamonds are equal, even if they''re graded the same clarity.
Color, locations, type of inclusion, and the cut of the stone will all impact how visible the imperfections are...
I''d most definitely post any stone in that clarity that you''re considering...

 

[AGBF]

Date: 8/14/2009 7:38:22 PM
Author: oneandahalfrock

By very definition, yes... but not all diamonds are equal, even if they''re graded the same clarity.
Color, locations, type of inclusion, and the cut of the stone will all impact how visible the imperfections are...

I''d most definitely post any stone in that clarity that you''re considering...

Naturally I agree with your (true) opening statements. But what on earth do you mean by, "I''d...post any stone in that clarity you''re considering"?

AGBF

 

[oneandahalfrock]

Date: 8/14/2009 7:52:05 PM
Author: AGBF

Date: 8/14/2009 7:38:22 PM

Author: oneandahalfrock


By very definition, yes... but not all diamonds are equal, even if they''re graded the same clarity.

Color, locations, type of inclusion, and the cut of the stone will all impact how visible the imperfections are...


I''d most definitely post any stone in that clarity that you''re considering...

Naturally I agree with your (true) opening statements. But what on earth do you mean by, ''I''d...post any stone in that clarity you''re considering''?


AGBF

If they were considering an ''I'' clarity diamond, I would strongly suggest ''posting'' it in RockyTalk to get a second opinion before they jump the gun on any diamond.

 

[Nomsdeplume]

Frozen spit does not sound like a good look.

Okay thanks everyone.
So if I ever attempt to find a semi-clean I1, I should ask for loads of pictures first?

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 8/14/2009 4:41:06 PM
Author:kribbie
Hi all!
I have a question regarding I1 & I2 & I3 clarity stones.
Would these inclusions be very obviously visible to the naked eye? Are we talking cloudiness or cracks?
I'm not looking at a specific stone, but I am curious.

It depends, each has to be evaluated carefully for eyecleanliness, type of inclusions and any potential durability issues in I2 and I3. Sometimes you can find eyeclean to eyecleanish I1's but it can take a skilled vendor to help you find the best ones.

 

[Lauren Q]

Good morning,

I would recommend staying away from all I clairity stones. The inclusions are visible to the unaided eye and the diamond will most likely appear white in color and you will see cracks. When purchasing stones for an engagement ring I recommend VS1 or better. If purchasing for a pendant or studs you can go SI1.

 

[risingsun]

Date: 8/15/2009 9:14:47 AM
Author: Lauren Q
Good morning,

I would recommend staying away from all I clairity stones. The inclusions are visible to the unaided eye and the diamond will most likely appear white in color and you will see cracks. When purchasing stones for an engagement ring I recommend VS1 or better. If purchasing for a pendant or studs you can go SI1.

Lauren~I see that you are new to this forum. Welcome! Many of us have purchased stunning diamonds ,for our engagement rings, that are lower than VS1. For RB diamonds, we look for eyeclean stones that are top tier in both performance and precision cutting. Many are graded by AGS as Ideal 0. I hope you will enjoy learning from us, as we learn from you

 

[tyty333]

Here are what looks like to me could be nice I1 stones (for example)...

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/6151/
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/6197/
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/3645/

 

[Ellen]

Date: 8/15/2009 9:53:07 AM
Author: risingsun

Date: 8/15/2009 9:14:47 AM
Author: Lauren Q
Good morning,

I would recommend staying away from all I clairity stones. The inclusions are visible to the unaided eye and the diamond will most likely appear white in color and you will see cracks. When purchasing stones for an engagement ring I recommend VS1 or better. If purchasing for a pendant or studs you can go SI1.

Lauren~I see that you are new to this forum. Welcome! Many of us have purchased stunning diamonds ,for our engagement rings, that are lower than VS1. For RB diamonds, we look for eyeclean stones that are top tier in both performance and precision cutting. Many are graded by AGS as Ideal 0. I hope you will enjoy learning from us, as we learn from you

Indeed! I love to use Miss Lynn''s gorgeous ring as an example of so many good things. This shows just how good it can get with a very well cut stone, CUT being key. This is a 2.36, J SI2. Hard to believe, and eyeclean!

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/finally-gorgeous-new-fishtail-pave-set-from-wf.46129/


*swoon*

 

[glitterata]

Here''s my I1 J Cut by Infinity:

 

[glitterata]

More photos of my I1 Infinity. It's .71 carats.

In this one you can see the little champagne-bubble crystals that make it an I1:

 

[Ellen]

So pretty glitter!

 

[glitterata]

Thanks, Ellen!

 

[Lula]

And here's my eyeclean 1.00 M SI2 Infinity purchased from Wink.

link to M thread with photos

P.S. When I started my search for a diamond, I was sure I wouldn't go lower than a VS2!!! I'm eating those words now and laughing all the way to the bank with the money I saved going lower in clarity.

I would have considered an I1 clarity diamond, too, from Wink, if one would have been available in my size-price-color preferences.

 

[oneandahalfrock]

I do believe people should get a second opinion on I''s, but saying they''re ALL bad is a pretty strong statement...
My e-ring is a 1.5 carat G VS2, but I recently got a nice little .90 carat L I1 diamond, and when I can see it''s small imperfections, well, I find them interesting. Maybe it would bother me more if I didn''t have a something that was rather white and pretty darn loupe clean, but maybe not.
I totally understand avoiding diamonds where the clarity problems can lead to issues with structural integrity, but if that''s not an problem, I really think that with a few second opinions, and a decent amount of research, an okay I1 (or I''ve even heard about the I2 floating around on here ) can be found.
And here''s a pic of my I1... lol, I think she shows pretty nice, but if you see anything blatantly obvious, hey, let me know so I can go see the optometrist

 

[AGBF]

Gliitterata,

I absolutely love your beautifiul diamond ring! That stone is a beauty and the setting is just perfect for it! Wear it in health and happiness!

AGBF

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

Well it depends on the size of the stone, location of the inclusions and cut. I owned Cut by Infinity and GOG Cut by Tolk H/A AGS0 I1 stones (over 1 carat each) and no inclusions were visiable to my eye, but easily found with a loop.

cheers--Sharon

 

[WinkHPD]

Date: 8/15/2009 1:43:07 PM
Author: canuk-gal
HI:

Well it depends on the size of the stone, location of the inclusions and cut. I owned Cut by Infinity and GOG Cut by Tolk H/A AGS0 I1 stones (over 1 carat each) and no inclusions were visiable to my eye, but easily found with a loop.

cheers--Sharon

I remember both of those stones as I got to do the earrings. Both were beautiful and eye clean to casual observation. Cut matters much more to the appearance of a diamond than clarity, even an I1. I have yet to see a beautiful I2 but suspect there could be one or two out there, and I NEVER expect to see an I3 that I would call beautiful, but if I see it I will admit it...

Wink

 

[glitterata]

Hey, Wink, am I remembering wrong? I seem to remember a few years back that you helped someone have her diamond recut--perhaps by Paul''s company--and it came back graded I2, but with an great cut that made it sparkle like mad. I think you called it beautiful.

Am I nuts?--That is, everybody agrees I''m generally nuts, but am I wrong in my memory of this particular diamond and its story?

(And Deb, thanks for the compliments!)

 

[WinkHPD]

Date: 8/15/2009 7:21:47 PM
Author: glitterata
Hey, Wink, am I remembering wrong? I seem to remember a few years back that you helped someone have her diamond recut--perhaps by Paul''s company--and it came back graded I2, but with an great cut that made it sparkle like mad. I think you called it beautiful.

Am I nuts?--That is, everybody agrees I''m generally nuts, but am I wrong in my memory of this particular diamond and its story?

(And Deb, thanks for the compliments!)

Yikes, a memory is such a terrible thing to waste. I believe you are half right and half wrong. If my aging memory serves me correctly it was cut by EightStar before I knew Paul.

I am so used to cut being King that I did not consider this unusual and thus I mostly forgot it. If my memory is correct it had a nasty cleavage that brought it down to the I2 range, but since I already messed up on this, I am not sticking to that part of the story... LOL!

Wink

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Date: 8/15/2009 9:14:47 AM
Author: Lauren Q
Good morning,

I would recommend staying away from all I clairity stones. The inclusions are visible to the unaided eye and the diamond will most likely appear white in color and you will see cracks. When purchasing stones for an engagement ring I recommend VS1 or better. If purchasing for a pendant or studs you can go SI1.

Hi Lauren,
That isn''t necessarily the route to go My eng. ring is a VS2 and it''s quite the stunner. In fact, there are plenty of SI1s and SI2s that are as well.

Stick around. Maybe grab a cup of coffee and check out the "Show me the ring" forum for a variety of stones graded all across the board.

 

[Lynn B]

Date: 8/15/2009 10:12:53 AM
Author: Ellen

Indeed! I love to use Miss Lynn's gorgeous ring as an example of so many good things. This shows just how good it can get with a very well cut stone, CUT being key. This is a 2.36, J SI2. Hard to believe, and eyeclean!

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/finally-gorgeous-new-fishtail-pave-set-from-wf.46129/


*swoon*

Awwwww, that was fun, Miss Ellen... getting an honorable mention in this thread!!! *Thanks!!!*

[blushes modestly!]

Well, I have never seen a well cut I1 or lower diamond IRL, but I have to say that I would not BLINK TWICE about considering a well-cut I1 (or lower, if available) stone from Wink, or GOG, or any of our PS vendors. Zales or Kings or Kays... um, not so much!

But maaaaaaaaaaan, there are some KILLER I1 stones here on PS!

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Date: 8/15/2009 8:59:15 PM
Author: Lynn B

Awwwww, that was fun, Miss Ellen... getting an honorable mention in this thread!!! *Thanks!!!*

[blushes modestly!]

Well, I have never seen a well cut I1 or lower diamond IRL, but I have to say that I would not BLINK TWICE about considering a well-cut I1 (or lower, if available) stone from Wink, or GOG, or any of our PS vendors. Zales or Kings or Kays... um, not so much!

But maaaaaaaaaaan, there are some KILLER I1 stones here on PS!

Same. . .I've never seen a well-cut I1 in real life. . . in fact, it's rare that I see a well-cut VS1 in real life either (or at least when stepping into a mall jeweler.)

 

[swingirl]

Here is my I1 with a lovely feather across the table. But in some lighting you can't find it. As a matter of fact sometimes I have to hunt to find it. Of course once you know what you are looking for you can find it so it's not eye clean by any stretch of the imagination. But my stone is far from frozen spit! I found it quite perfect for a pendant although it wouldn't bother me at all for a ring. It's Cut by Infinity.

 

[LGK]

I saw an eyeclean I-2 today, at least when it was set. Its clarity grader was a chip that fit under a prong. Yeah, it was a biggish chip, but you had to loupe the stone to see it because it was almost completely under the prong.