Smaller engagement ring on a budget

[jasonpad042]

Hello all,

First post and have done a fair amount of reading, but need your help. I've been looking at more "budget" stones and settings for a few weeks now, which puts me in the .55ct to .70ct range and generally F/G/H color and SI1/SI2 clarity, typically GIA certified. I usually always end up preferring excellent cuts and this has been taking priority for me. I guess after reading these boards, I'm most worried about some of the SI2's that I've looked at. I've been assured that I won't be able to find inclusions without magnification by some of these reputable dealers in my area and they've all been willing to show me them under magnification. And to be honest, I haven't been able to spot them myself without magnification even though the SI2s I've looked at generally have white table inclusions. All in all the SI2s I've looked at seem to me to be excellent stones at really fair prices and I'm definitely not looking for re-sale value. The idea of "mind-clean" never even had a place in my head until I started reading these boards and I don't think it will in hers - she's not really a diamond or jewelry expert. I'm looking to make a purchase in the next few weeks but just want to make sure I do all my research first.

To my main question: I guess I'm wondering if a diamond this size with excellent cut and with slight table inclusions that I can't see is something to be worried about? What are the chances other people will be able to spot this even with the dealer telling me it's eye clean?

Thanks very much,
Jason

 

[yssie]

Every SI is different, and people have different visual acuity - some can easily spot inclusions in a VS, for example.

In this size range I know I would have little difficulty in finding an SI stone that suits my needs, but I am not you If you're very concerned, perhaps specifically request stones with inclusions near the girdle that can be pronged?

 

[tonkatsu]

I'm new too but I really think this is a matter of opinion and preference. Some really care about being "mind clean" or what others might think. I think most people on here, myself included, just want something eye clean, so we can maximize around more important factors (cut, size, color). It's really not unusual to find SI2 diamonds that are totally eye clean, but where under 10x magnification the inclusions are glaring and you think, "wow, how is that not visible to the naked eye?" Look at the rock from a bunch of different angles to make sure it's really eye clean, and if it is, it sounds like you should go for it, particularly because you're on a tight budget. (And if a reputable dealer is telling you it's eye clean, it almost for sure is -- a reputable dealer won't lie to you about this because it'd kill their reputation.) Going for an SI2 will allow you to get a larger stone, and/or one that's better cut. I guarantee you no one she shows the ring to will every say, "wait, isn't that an inclusion?" -- even if they see it, which is really unlikely, they wouldn't say anything.

I'm doing the exact same thing, by the way -- buying a cushion cut engagement ring that's SI1. (Cushion cuts can show inclusions more than some other cuts -- but if I could find a eye clean SI2, I'd totally do it!)

Good luck.

p.s. I myself can't tell the difference between F and H on most diamonds -- side by side I might see a slight difference but on its own I don't. It sounds like you may be at the same place, so my advice (and it's just advice!) is to go for an H so you can get a bigger stone. At the sizes you're talking about, an extra 7 or 8 points can really make a difference.

 

[BubbleGumPlant]

I got a 1 carat eye-clean SI2 and I can't see the any inclusions at all. Even with a magnifier I have to "look" for it. Honestly, the FI and I have no mind-clean issues. Our more common issue is how easily the diamond gets dirty which makes it look included but it's just dirt. If a little white inclusion is what's keeping you from buying a perfectly good diamond, imagine how much it would bother you that there's a little spec of dust on the diamond.

When the diamond is clean, it sparkles like crazy and it gets complements ALL the time.

 

[swingirl]

Have you considered buying your stone and setting over the internet? If you want to post your budget here there are a lot of PS posters who can quickly scope out some stones to consider or at least use to comparison.

 

[purplesilk]

Cut is the most important among the 4 c , clarity is the second one (just in my opinion).
I'd stay in the VS range, because SI can be dangerous: sometimes you can't see spots under the shop's lights, even poorly cut diamonds sparkle, but when you're outdoor you can easily see inclusions and they became a sort of obsession...you see them constantly.
Just my opinion and keep in mind I'm not for carat, I'm for quality.

Purplesilk

 

[E B]

Have you considered buying your stone and setting over the internet? If you want to post your budget here there are a lot of PS posters who can quickly scope out some stones to consider or at least use to comparison.

If you're worried about a stone being eye-clean, it's nice to be able to see them highly magnified for peace of mind. An example:

http://www.briangavindiamonds.com/diamond/diamond-detail/?product_id=AGS-104046146004