Spoiled by James Allen pictures?

[michaelk]

Looking at getting an e-ring in the near future. I have perused a number of the sites recommended here, but ultimately settled on James Allen, because I appreciate the ability to examine the diamond in detail if I'm going to buy online.

I am generally willing to buy a VS2 diamond, but recently I've felt like the VS2 diamonds have had pretty obvious flaws... for some reason, JA doesn't have any VS1 diamonds in my specs at the moments (Round, F, excellent cut, ~.90 ct range, excellent polish/symmetry), so the sales person suggested trying a VS2 diamond instead.

When I look at his specific suggestion (http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.90-carat-f-color-vs2-clarity-sku-283424) it has an obvious defect right in the middle of the diamond. He insists that the diamond is "eye-clean", and that really any VS2 diamond will be eye-clean, but it's hard to reconcile that when I can pick out a flaw at those zoom levels so quickly. And I'm no professional diamond appraiser.

Have I just been spoiled by the high quality pictures from James Allen? Am I over-reacting to some of the flaws I've been seeing?

 

[hawk25]

I think it's easy for people to forget just how small the diamond will be in real life. For example, a 0.9 will roughly be 6.2mm in diameter. To put that in perspective, that's about the diameter of the eraser on the end of a pencil. Try shrinking that photo on your monitor until it's around 6mm and tell me if you can see the inclusions, keeping in mind that in real life it's going to sparkle like mad.

Another thing to keep in mind is that your eyes have a minimum distance to where it can focus on an object. Try taking the pencil eraser and move it closer to your eyes while trying to keep focus. You'll find it harder to focus the closer it is, until it's impossible to anymore. My minimum distance is 6 inches, and that's after trying hard. Many vendors consider a stone to be eye clean if you can't see inclusions from a distance of 10 inches viewing from the top. To be on the safe side, I usually tell people to ask the vendor if it's eye clean to their standards (so in my case, 6 inches from all angles).

Diamonds are graded using a 10x loupe, while JA uses 15x or greater. If you use a powerful enough magnification, you'll even be able to spot inclusions in internally flawless stones, since they were only viewed and graded using 10x magnification in the lab. I consider a (GIA/AGS graded) VS2 a safe clarity grade, but always ask for more details from the vendor to be sure.

 

[MarionC]

I've had excellent luck with James Allen. I suggest you talk to someone else there and get advice here on the forum as well.
And keep looking - it's a process - both maddening and fun.

I took a quick look and I see what you're up against. Perhaps go down in size a tad and up in color?

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/0.83-carat-g-color-vvs2-clarity-very-good-cut-sku-98785

 

[distracts]

Well, to give you an idea, my brother recently bought an Si2 that has a clear crystal inclusion in a similar position (but larger, obviously). We can only spot it without a loupe at 6 inches or less in sunlight. Can't spot it without a loupe at greater distances or in other lighting conditions. For ME, I'd count that as eyeclean. My brother and his fiancee do too. But to each his own. And that was an Si2, not a VS2. Depending on whether or not JA requires you to pay return shipping if you return it, it could be worth a look in person.

 

[Ashley-Sarah]

If you are open to pre-loved stone, Jewels by Erica Grace has a beautiful .90 certified by AGS000. It is beautiful. Its on page 2 of the modern and estate rings. I have worked with them in the past and they are wonderful to work with. Good Luck in your search.

 

[insured]

Obvious at 40X (their pictures) is not obvious in real life. As someone already said, diamonds are graded based on looking with a 10x loupe so a VS2 inclusion slightly difficult to find with a 10x loupe will be obvious at 40x but impossible or near impossible to see with the eye with no magnification. Don't be deterred

 

[LoubieLove]

I can't say enough good things about working with James Allen. With that being said, I have to agree that many of their VS2 stones and even some VS1's have inclusions right in the middle of the table. I am sending a VS2 back tomorrow that has a black crystal dead center. Can I see it without a loupe, no. BUT, I know it is there and it really bothers me. Other people wouldn't mind it at all.

I agree that you should call and ask them to help find what you are looking for. I called this morning to set up a return for my stone and Luis found a VVS1 for me within about a minute that met all of my desired specs and was still in my price range. I had already reserved a stone elsewhere but decided I would rather purchase from them. They are awesome!

 

[michaelk]

Thanks for the feedback. Basically, it sounds like the 40x view is really going to make the defects noticable when, with the naked eye, they simply are noticable. I'm still going to try to find one as nice as possible, but I suppose I won't limit myself to VS1.

Thanks for the info!

 

[Christina...]

I absolutely agree with the others, I would not limit myself to VS clarity in a .9 stone. For that matter I would limit myself to colorless either. In this ct weight a G SI1 would be my sweet spot.