Question about SI2

[ssn29]

Hi! I''m a newbie here and was just hoping for some advice. I''m thinking of buying a diamond over the internet but its an SI2, is this a risky thing to do? I''ve spoken to someone over the phone and they assured me that they cannot see any flaws without magnification, but I''m still a bit worried. Are S12 usually ''eyeclean''? Thanks!

 

[neatfreak]

You say "someone", who is that someone? If it''s a reputable vendor and they say it''s eyeclean, it is probably fine. Just make sure clouds weren''t the major grade indicator.

If it''s a random vendor, I wouldn''t necessarily trust their opinion.

 

[HariSeldon]

Date: 9/3/2008 7:33:55 PM
Author:ssn29
Hi! I''m a newbie here and was just hoping for some advice. I''m thinking of buying a diamond over the internet but its an SI2, is this a risky thing to do? I''ve spoken to someone over the phone and they assured me that they cannot see any flaws without magnification, but I''m still a bit worried. Are S12 usually ''eyeclean''? Thanks!

Welcome to PS!

I just bought a SI2 and it was totally eye clean. Its usually a case by case determination tho with SI2 stones tho. Does the vendor youre speaking with have a good return policy? If so, you could always buy it and return it if its not up to your eye-cleanliness standards

 

[trillionaire]

FWIW, is there a big diff between SI1 and SI2''s? Are SI1''s more likely to be eyeclean?

 

[indypitty]

I also have a totally eyeclean SI2 that was purchased online. The vendor assured me that it was eyeclean, but there was a 30-day return policy.

But there are eyeclean SI2 diamonds out there!!!

 

[panda08]

Date: 9/3/2008 7:33:55 PM
Author:ssn29
Hi! I''m a newbie here and was just hoping for some advice. I''m thinking of buying a diamond over the internet but its an SI2, is this a risky thing to do? I''ve spoken to someone over the phone and they assured me that they cannot see any flaws without magnification, but I''m still a bit worried. Are S12 usually ''eyeclean''? Thanks!

SI2''s can be eye-clean. Some are not because of dark inclusions. There are many PS''ers, myself included, who have SI2 stones that were purchased online that are eye clean and beautiful. Use a vendor you trust and be very clear to them what you consider eye clean, as different people have different definitions. Some vendors'' definition is top down only, from 8 to 10 inches away. My definition of eye clean is any distance, any angle. Have them send you a picture of the stone that is at least 10x magnification. And definitely go with a vendor that has a generous return policy so that you have sufficient time to inspect and/or appraise the stone.

 

[Indira-London]

Date: 9/4/2008 12:49:43 AM
Author: panda08

Date: 9/3/2008 7:33:55 PM
Author:ssn29
Hi! I''m a newbie here and was just hoping for some advice. I''m thinking of buying a diamond over the internet but its an SI2, is this a risky thing to do? I''ve spoken to someone over the phone and they assured me that they cannot see any flaws without magnification, but I''m still a bit worried. Are S12 usually ''eyeclean''? Thanks!

SI2''s can be eye-clean. Some are not because of dark inclusions. There are many PS''ers, myself included, who have SI2 stones that were purchased online that are eye clean and beautiful. Use a vendor you trust and be very clear to them what you consider eye clean, as different people have different definitions. Some vendors'' definition is top down only, from 8 to 10 inches away. My definition of eye clean is any distance, any angle. Have them send you a picture of the stone that is at least 10x magnification. And definitely go with a vendor that has a generous return policy so that you have sufficient time to inspect and/or appraise the stone.

"Eyeclean" generally means at quick glance and not with close scrutiny. SI2 are a lot cheaper than SI1 as usually only ca. 1 in 20 SI2 would pass Panda''s standard above - the majority have inclusions that can be seen with the naked eye on close scrutiny once you know where the inclusion is.
This is does not mean that there are not good SI2s to be had - there are! but you just have to take care where and how you buy them.

To be safe its best to a) see the diamond for youself if possible as everyone has different eyesight and different tolerances of "eyeclean" OR if that is not possible you can buy good SI2s online if you go to a good vendor who is able to discuss and answer your questions based on him/her physically being able to view the diamond for you.

Whilst there are more eyeclean SI1s than SI2s...not all SI1s are equal either. Personally I prefer to avoid SI1s (or VS2s) with a black inclusion right in the centre which would reflect through all the facets.

 

[BKDJ]

I have seen many eye clean si2s that beat out vs2 and si1''s. It all depends where the inclusion is located and if the cut is excellent or very good - the light return would make inclusions much less visible to the naked eye.

 

[elle_chris]

what size are you talking about? For under a carat, you "may" not see the inclusions. For over 2ct, there''s a good chance you will. Going by what folks here have said there are clean SI2''s out there but they''re not a dime a dozen. Check with your vendor what their definition of "eye clean" means. Is it top only? If it is, is that enough for you? Can anything be seen from the side?
Also make sure they have a good return policy so if you''re not happy with the stone, you can send it back without a problem.

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

my advice to all those reading this who have not bought SI2''s and might - be very careful because there is a maybe 10% chance that the eyeclean SI2 is going to be grainy or cloudy with a loss of brilliance.
The best SI2''s are those stones where an inclusion is under or very near where you will put a prong.

 

[HariSeldon]

Date: 9/4/2008 8:31:34 AM
Author: Garry H (Cut Nut)
my advice to all those reading this who have not bought SI2''s and might - be very careful because there is a maybe 10% chance that the eyeclean SI2 is going to be grainy or cloudy with a loss of brilliance.
The best SI2''s are those stones where an inclusion is under or very near where you will put a prong.

thats where mine is

 

[BKDJ]

Date: 9/4/2008 8:42:55 AM
Author: HariSeldon

Date: 9/4/2008 8:31:34 AM

Author: Garry H (Cut Nut)

my advice to all those reading this who have not bought SI2''s and might - be very careful because there is a maybe 10% chance that the eyeclean SI2 is going to be grainy or cloudy with a loss of brilliance.

The best SI2''s are those stones where an inclusion is under or very near where you will put a prong.

thats where mine is

Ditto!

 

[Fly Girl]

I recently looked at a couple of beautiful SI2s. The first had a single large inclusion that was readily visible from the top, but was right at the edge and most of it would be covered with a semi-bezel or a prong. I would have gotten that one, but it wasn''t the color/size I was looking for.

The second SI2 had numerous clear crystals that were lost in the sparkle from the top view, but were readily visible as a layer of sparkly looking clear specks from the side view. I would get this for a ring stone if I was setting it with a full bezel, or for a pendant or earrings. But I wanted an eyeclean diamond from the side for my engagement ring stone, so I passed on this one.

 

[WinkHPD]

Date: 9/4/2008 8:31:34 AM
Author: Garry H (Cut Nut)
my advice to all those reading this who have not bought SI2''s and might - be very careful because there is a maybe 10% chance that the eyeclean SI2 is going to be grainy or cloudy with a loss of brilliance.
The best SI2''s are those stones where an inclusion is under or very near where you will put a prong.

???? Where do you get this number? I have seen very few SI2''s that were grainy or cloudy with loss of brilliance due to clouds, certainly no where near 10%.

This number simply mistifies and amazes me.

Wink

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

Date: 9/4/2008 10:48:48 AM
Author: Wink

Date: 9/4/2008 8:31:34 AM
Author: Garry H (Cut Nut)
my advice to all those reading this who have not bought SI2''s and might - be very careful because there is a maybe 10% chance that the eyeclean SI2 is going to be grainy or cloudy with a loss of brilliance.
The best SI2''s are those stones where an inclusion is under or very near where you will put a prong.

???? Where do you get this number? I have seen very few SI2''s that were grainy or cloudy with loss of brilliance due to clouds, certainly no where near 10%.

This number simply mistifies and amazes me.

Wink

Of the eye clean variety Wink

 

[ssn29]

Thank you guys for all the replies! They were very helpful.. So it seems I''m not going to get the stone because when I made it clear what I considered to be ''eye clean'', the vendor told me all the inclusions are concentrated in one area so it appears like a ''bubble''. Although this is not apparent when you first look at the stone, when you do know where to look, you can easily find the flaw. Seeing as it''s a 2.51ct stone, I figured this wasn''t a good idea. I guess its too risky to judge how much the ''bubble'' would show without seeing it in person.

 

[mommy2iz]

hi - i just purchased an SI3, sight unseen. i know there are many who poo-poo EGL and the SI3 classification. all these opinions are what makes the world go''round!

my point is i was told it was eye-clean at every angle, and was offered a 30 day return policy. this reassured me enough to make the purchase. to my eyes, it clearly is not eye-clean, as there is a visible white inclusion at 1:00. i could not see it at first glance (top-down, straight-on). however, at certain angles it is quite clearly a little snow-ball in there. i was going to return the stone. however, after showing the ring to many friends/family i''ve decided to keep it. no one can find the inclusion! even after i''ve pointed it out to them, they still say they can hardly see it. my husband can''t see it, either. my jeweler friend offered to buy it from me for more than i paid b/c she actually likes the way it looks (like a crystal)! it''s 2.11 ct, so maybe the size makes it easier to visualize? it sparkles like no other diamond i''ve ever seen/tried on. so...eyeclean is definitely a relative term, but only you can decide what makes you happy! good luck!