Should I stay away from SI2?

[pr0lab]

Hi,

I find a stone that I really like but the clarity is fairly low - SI2. What is your experience with this?
BTW, the stone 3 C's rated excellent - HCA 0.8

 

[Copel]

SI2s can be eye clean or prongable, but you'd have to see it to make a judgement call.

 

[heididdl]

i agree si2 can be eye clean and it everthing else falls into budget then that is your compromise. I hope you have found an ideal cut. and is the stone AGS or GIA certifie?

 

[treasurehunter]

You have to see the stone in person or get an expert to see it , a diagram won't help .

 

[TC1987]

If you want it totally eye clean under all lighting and all viewing distances, then probably avoid SI2. I have an SI2, and it's not completely eyeclean, but the inclusion in discrete. Si2 can be be bought for sometimes half the price of the same stone except VS1 or Vs2 clarity, so that is a compromise that I am willing to make. I'd rather have one discrete dark crystal that hides well, and save a bundle of money, than pay twice as much for a stone.

Probably a lot of my lenience is that I have asked to see many diamonds in pawn shops or used jewelry dealers' that looked great from 3' away but were clearly dirty I1 or I2 at close inspection. And diamonds never stay 100% clean when worn, so why struggle so much to get one that's totally eyeclean inside, haha.

 

[spicyitalian]

Depends on the size of the diamond. If the stone is big, chances are SI2 would not be eyeclean.

 

[kindred]

You really have to see the stone in different lighting conditions and see if it is eye clean to you, or you could ask a trusted vendor with an excellent return policy to do it for you. I did the latter and I have a very nice 1 ct. eye clean ideal cut SI2. I knew I did not want to compromise on cut and a low clarity but eye clean stone made sense to me.

 

[msop04]

You really have to see the stone in different lighting conditions and see if it is eye clean to you, or you could ask a trusted vendor with an excellent return policy to do it for you. I did the latter and I have a very nice 1 ct. eye clean ideal cut SI2. I knew I did not want to compromise on cut and a low clarity but eye clean stone made sense to me.

+1
I had originally picked out a 2 ct SI2 stone, and it was completely eye clean (inclusion was on the outer edge and pronged over). In my world, an eye clean SI is where it's at!!

 

[pr0lab]

thank you for your valuable feedback! This stone is .8 HCA while a similarly priced stone has HCA of 1.9. Which would you recommend?

Thanks!

 

[WinkHPD]

thank you for your valuable feedback! This stone is .8 HCA while a similarly priced stone has HCA of 1.9. Which would you recommend?

Thanks!

The HCA is a rejection tool, not a selection tool. Anything under 2.0 is considered excellent but there is not really any advantage to a 1.9 versus a 0.8. At this point you need to see the stones to make a choice.

Wink

 

[LaraOnline]

I have an AGS0 SI2 which I adore. It is really truly beautiful and doesn't feel like a 'compromise' in any way whatsoever.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Each SI2 daimond must be considered individually and with your own eyes own to judge if it's eye clean.

 

[MakingTheGrade]

I have a AGS0 SI2 as a side stone in my 5 stone, it's beautiful and to this day I still can't find the inclusion, lol.

 

[pr0lab]

Thanks again!
Another issue that I had is the the GIA Cert is from 2012, is that a problem? should I ask re-certify as it feels like a returned stone?

 

[Dreamer_D]

Thanks again!
Another issue that I had is the the GIA Cert is from 2012, is that a problem? should I ask re-certify as it feels like a returned stone?

That is not so old. Some diamonds take a long time to sell.

 

[pr0lab]

that's why I am afraid to pull the trigger...

 

[pr0lab]

Will I see H&A in a HCA 1.3 or 0.8 or H&A has different factors that will impact it?

also, I notice that 1.2ct and 1.3ct on a similar stone has a price different of $1k - is that reasonable or the 1.3ct is overpriced?

Thanks

 

[pr0lab]

any thoughts? (sorry just trying to make a decision between the two stones)