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Thoughts on clarity - vs2 vs eye clean si1

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lavalle218

Rough_Rock
Joined
Dec 19, 2020
Messages
97
As I narrow down choices for a diamond upgrade, wanted to start a few questions to get perspective on clarity and color. This thread is for clarity...

My current stone is a ACA VS1 (thought it was vs2 until I pulled out the original paperwork today!). It looks perfect to me. For those who are more familiar with diamonds - how much of a difference might I notice between a VS1 vs an SI1 that is eye clean? If I can’t see the flaws - the grading shouldn’t matter, should it? I watched some videos on white flash and on a few SIs, I could see some feathers (not a technical term) on a few but others I didn’t see any noticeable difference.

Hoping if others share their experience it might help me make a decision if it is worth considering the SI1 options or not.
 
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Well placed inclusions in any stone can be hidden by faceting. It's the obvious ones under the table that are more glaring to me. I love SI1 stones - a great value if you find one that is "eye clean" at whatever distance you deem that to be.
 
ecf8503 said:
Well placed inclusions in any stone can be hidden by faceting. It's the obvious ones under the table that are more glaring to me. I love SI1 stones - a great value if you find one that is "eye clean" at whatever distance you deem that to be.
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This. If it's an "eye clean" SI1 at a reasonable viewing distance, then you won't truly be able to tell the difference between it compared to a VS2 or VS1 (again, depending on what kinds of inclusions, where they are, etc etc).
 
It’s worth figuring out what does eye-clean mean to you as well. Like is it a distance of 6inches, 8inches etc. Once you can narrow that down, ask WF to make an assessment of eyecleanliness for you. Or ask them what their criteria for eye clean is and make sure you’re happy with that, and then ask them to assess eye cleanliness.
 
It's really personal. I'm one of those people who is super color and clarity sensitive. I can usually spot characteristics in a VS2 with my naked eyes. Once I see them, I can't unseen them, so I usually stick with at least VS1 for rings. That's just for me though. There's nothing wrong with the other grades. You just need to find your personal sweet spot.
 
I can also spot the vs2 inclusions when I concentrate hard enough... Vs2 is the lowest I will go.. Since some is borderline SI1..
 
Thanks all - I’m hopefully going to have the VS2 held and not risk going into the SI category. Hope I’ll be happy with it since I am used to my vs1 (there weren’t any vs1s available in the size range I am looking at)
 
It is like color, there are two elements 1) can you see it, 2) if yes, will it bother you?

I have 20/20 vision and I’m really color sensitive, but can easily tolerate things It has allowed me to buy beautiful rocks at great prices.
 
nojs said:
It is like color, there are two elements 1) can you see it, 2) if yes, will it bother you?

I have 20/20 vision and I’m really color sensitive, but can easily tolerate things It has allowed me to buy beautiful rocks at great prices.
Click to expand...

Great thoughts!!! I can’t wait to get photographs of the stones (hopefully next to my current stone) so I can decide!
 
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