shape
carat
color
clarity

SI1 & SI2 - Will these inclusions be obvious?

richtraff

Rough_Rock
Joined
Oct 10, 2014
Messages
17
As we all do at first, I originally started looking for a colour D, VVS1, Ideal cut stone and soon realised I wasn't as rich as I needed to be!

I've compromised several times to suit my budget and have found the following diamonds are suitable.



This was my original choice. All the figures seem to fall into the 'ideal' range. Only trouble for me is the dark inclusion in the centre of the stone. Clearly, I'm no professional and I can't tell if this will be all that visible unless I inspect really close up. Can someone tell me if this is the case? I don't mind a small inclusion as long as it doesn't look like there's a permanently a bit of dirt on it!



Weight: 1.2ct
Colour: I
Clarity: SI2
Cut: Excellent (Ex Pol & Ex Sym)
HCA score: 1.4

Width: 6.78 - 6.82 x 4.20
Depth: 61.7
Table: 57
Crown: 34.5
Pav Angle: 40.8



This was my second choice. It's not noticeably smaller and the inclusions are in a place where the claws can hide them. My only concern with this diamond is that all the angles seem a little peculiar?! Maybe I'm being daft as it has a good HCA score and is rated an Excellent cut by GIA. It's also £300 ($500) more.



Weight: 1.17ct
Colour: I
Clarity: SI1
Cut: Excellent (Ex Pol & Sym)
HCA score: 1.8

Width: 6.83 - 6.77 x 4.07
Depth: 59.8
Table: 61
Crown Angle: 33
Pav Angle: 40.8


I'm buying the diamond online; I can return them if I'm not happy but ideally I'd like to pick the right one first time round!

What do you think - Will the inclusion on the first diamond be very noticeable? Is it worth paying more for the second diamond?
 

Attachments

email them and ask if they are eye clean. They can tell you if it's visible or not.. however, my first thought is that they will be. Even with SI1 that inclusion smack dab in the middle can be noticeable esp everytime you look down at it
 
Unfortunately the vendor doesn't even have these diamonds yet! They're not even in the country; probably in a diamond bank in Antwerp.
 
Looks to me like it'll be pretty visible being that it's nearly as wide as the arrows and slap in the middle of the table.

The second stone scares me too. Low crown and large table isn't my favorite.
 
If a budget is posted along with some of your preferred parameters I'm sure the community here would be glad to help you find something.
 
My budget is £4500 really, but I've crept to £5000.

Colour no less than I. Best cut possible. Ideally around 1.2ct.

Not bothered about clarity as long as it's eye clean without a close inspection. I don't mind if you have to put it 6" away to see a tiny spec.

Bare in mind my budget includes a £700 platinum ring and the 20% VAT!

Just be honest if it's not realistic, but I'm hoping I can find a diamond with an inclusion that doesn't bother me.
 
Canvasback - that top diamond looks perfect! Colour H is brilliant and from what I can see from the picture - those inclusions I won't be able to see.

Thanks for spending the time to look for me. I'm also very impressed with that website! There's such a great choice of settings and I'll save 20% by buying from the US!

Do you think I could buy that one 'blind'?! Would James Allen give me an honest opinion on the diamond?
 
I think
richtraff said:
Do you think I could buy that one 'blind'?! Would James Allen give me an honest opinion on the diamond?

I would chat with JA and ask them to hold the stones and request for IS on the 3 stones that canvasback found for you. The JA gemologist will give you their honest opinion on the stones regarding, color, performance and eye clean. I think Canvasback found some great choices :appl: .
 
Good plan. I've contacted JA and they have put the suggested stones to one side. Now awaiting inspection from the Gemologist.

A company from UK (that's where I am) are desperate for the sale and have called me with a diamond that was GIA registered a few days ago.

VS1 "I" 1.15ct Ex Cut Pol Sym

But it has a 61 table and 60.8 depth. And very strong flourescence

HCA score 3.5

Is it worth considering?

I'm generally ruling things out with a HCA score Higher than 2. Hope I'm not ruling out a good buy! He's doing his sales talk saying it'll be gone soon because it's such a good buy. I understand this is probably BS though.
 
I like the 60.8 depth, but the table is HUGE! I dont care what people say but the very strong flourescence is a turn off for me, I bought one and had to return it because it didnt look good in the sun, blue with dark grey, just ugly.

Tell the guy to keep it because "it's such a good buy". Let the next sad soul buy it.
 
richtraff said:
But it has a 61 table and 60.8 depth. And very strong flourescence

HCA score 3.5

Is it worth considering?

I would not consider it. I am pretty lax with the HCA coz I will consider stones up to 2.5 HCA but this stone is waaaaaaay out there! It's a pass for me.
 
Ok, scrap that last diamond I mentioned.

I can choose 1 more diamond to have compared by the gemologist. I'm considering one of the these two. Looking at a J just out of curiosity. I figure if its in the 6 claw setting and if it faces up better than the others then why not!


I'm thinking...

AGSO J 1.21ct SI1

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.21-carat-j-color-si1-clarity-ideal-cut-sku-359017


or

GIA ex J 1.24ct VS2 (HCA score 1.3)

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.24-carat-j-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-380669
 
So I've got a gemologist report and idealscope photos back from JA. They ruled out 1 not-so-good performing diamond and left me with 2 to chose from.

Not sure what to make from these ideal scope pics:



Or




He said the 1.15ct diamond looks closer to a G in his opinion and that the inclusion which is difficult to see with the naked eye, can be 80% covered by a prong.

The 1.2ct I diamond also faces up white and the inclusion is the same. Basically eye clean and can be 70% covered.

I can't decide! The 1.2ct is 0.1mm wider than the 1.15ct. Not sure if that is noticeable? It's also $500 more. Plus a colour grade lower. Would I notice these differences?

_24379.jpg

_24380.jpg
 
Here is the report:

I am very pleased to inform you that the gemologist very much favored two of the diamonds in your line up. Diamond 321047, the 1.15ct H/SI2 ($6200) has the best light performance and brilliance of the three, facing up white and closer to a G color. The cut proportions are Ideal giving this diamond optimum brilliance and white light return/distribution. He also noted that the SI feather can be at least 85% covered by a prong.

The gemologist also found diamond 329335, the 1.20ct I/SI2 ($6690) to be a top performer as well. This diamond faces up white with excellent amounts of brilliance and fire. The level of white light return is also wonderful. It has excellent cut proportions that give great balance to the sparkle and facet pattern. He noted that the SI feather can be 70-80% covered by a prong.
 
If I were choosing for myself, I'd happily choose #1- the 1.15 H. Lots of plusses compared to the relatively small size difference of the 1.2 I. Good luck!

edit to add that I have read on this forum that size differences of <0.2mm are not that noticeable.
 
apacherose said:
If I were choosing for myself, I'd happily choose #1- the 1.15 H. Lots of plusses compared to the relatively small size difference of the 1.2 I. Good luck!

edit to add that I have read on this forum that size differences of <0.2mm are not that noticeable.

+1... what she said ;))
 
Ok. So the 1.15ct seems to have the better overall qualities.

What about this idealscope - I'm not sure what to make of it? The 1.2ct one looks better to me - more symmetrical and...stuff (ok so I don't know what I'm talking about).
 
Go with the one you like but I still prefer the H over the I. It is cheaper ( I would take the extra $$ into the setting), better color, I like the IS better and the fatter arrows. Don't think you will see the difference in symmetry in real life unless you plan on carrying a H&A scope. Is a lower colored better sym and 0.1mm that you can't see (but know) worth $500? Either one will be beautiful so really toss a coin and you will have a winner.
 
Be careful of customs / taxes if you're having a diamond shipped to you from overseas. You might get slapped with quite a hefty bill, so might not be saving the 20% at all.
 
Ok people, I'm going with the 1.15 H! Thanks for all your help.

I'm sending the diamond to a friend in the states who is coming home in December. He will be my diamond mule :-)
 
Sorry that I've just now been able to return, but a HUGE congrats on choosing your stone! I believe you've done well, and can't wait to hear what you think of it!
 
Diamond2014|1415904434|3782749 said:
I like the 60.8 depth, but the table is HUGE! I dont care what people say but the very strong flourescence is a turn off for me, I bought one and had to return it because it didnt look good in the sun, blue with dark grey, just ugly.

Dark grey? As a result of fluor?

Hmmm... something isn't quite adding up here.

You may have been seeing the reflection of an object in the area, or possibly your clothing reflected in the stone.

Grey fluorescence would be AMAZING, extremely rare, and very valuable. Sounds like the stone may have had another issue.
 
Massive thanks to Canvasback who basically selected the diamond for my (hopefully) wife to be!

Can't wait to see it. I'll keep you posted.

But just a quick one about the idealscope....how exactly do you use hem to narrow down selection? Because the IS of the 1.2ct looks better IMO.
 
richtraff said:
But just a quick one about the idealscope....how exactly do you use hem to narrow down selection? Because the IS of the 1.2ct looks better IMO.

Are you talking about the sym, the color, the arrows in the IS? I made my pick between the two (this is nit picking) because the H seems to be redder under the table, the fatter arrows, better color and less $$. It is all about compromise and priority. I would not be able to see the difference in sym and I like that I could put the extra $$ into a setting. Now if there was a big difference in IS quality, I probably make a different decision.
 
So I've got my hands on the ring! It looks awesome. I mean this bad boy really really sparkles. I had a look in comparison to some of my friends rings and it way way outperforms them. It looks totally clear white (to my untrained eye) and I've tried and tried to find any inclusion but failed. Thanks so much for the help. I'll post a picture when my fiancé has it on her finger; although pictures do it no justice whatsoever.

Only problem is with the setting. The 6 prongs aren't evenly spaced. It's noticable. Is this common with a handmade ring?
 
GET 3 FREE HCA RESULTS JOIN THE FORUM. ASK FOR HELP
Top