Thoughts on SI1, SI2 stones

[mclapham]

I wanted to hear your thoughts on whether SI1 and SI2 stones are recommended (I have a budget to go up to VS2, but wondering if its worth it).

H, SI1 stone: very brilliant. with 10x glass, two very tiny white spots. jeweller said there was a tiny black spot, but i could not see it.

F, SI2 stone: very brilliant. with 10x glass, a big white spot to the corner of the stone. no black spots that i could see.

Is it worthwhile considering even going down to a SI2?

also, is there considerable difference between polish/symmetry of EX/VG/G ?

 

[valeria101]

Keeping in mind that diamonds are not worn under 10X lenses and once they are set inclusions will becomesubstantially harder to spot even with the same loups as before... surely these are nice buys. Why not ?

As far as I know, these clarity grades have two uses: to predict if a diamond is eye clean and to label a diamond as "rare". I surely understand what the first point is all about - got two eyes and seen a bunch of diamonds. The second point is less clear to me, since there seem to be hundreds and hundreds of diamonds avaialble for any clarity grade at all - be it I of IF.

Once you see the stones and decide if they look clean on hand, those paper grades remain useful for pricing. If they retain any other use, I do not know

 

[Brian Knox]

Date: 11/17/2004 10:48:32 AM
Author:mclapham
...

Is it worthwhile considering even going down to a SI2?...

Hi,

There are excellent values to be found in SI-2''s, but there are some real dogs as well.

Some are actually eye-clean, some have inclusions that stick out like a sore thumb (insert mental picture of red throbbing thumb)

Looking at the stones for yourself is the best of all options assuming you have seen enough stones to know the difference between a good SI-2 and a bad SI-2.

Or, if you have a jeweler you trust implicitly to pick a good one for you.

 

[treysar]

I have an H si stone. The inclusion is a tiny pinprick that I can only see if I hold the ring less than 6 inches from my nose, and even then I have to know WHERE to look. I have tried to point it out to thers and they could not see them. Even my mom, who used to own a jewlery store, could not see it. HOWEVER, not all SI''s are alike. I have seen Si''s with an obviosu feather that detracted from the brilliance of as tonce. I have seen carbon spots in an SI. You need to SEE an Si in person or you have to have a very honest jewler who will tell you exactly where the inclusion is, and how it will effect the stone.

My stone is ideal cut, and I think the sparkel makes the pin prick less noticable - when i have it steam cleaned i can''t even find it!

 

[Hest88]

As everyone has said, it really depends on the diamond and whether or not it''s eyeclean. It''s like asking if baldness is a turnoff. In one guy with a combover the answer can be "yes" but with a Sean Connery type the answer is, "What, are you crazy? Snatch him up!"

 

[JohnQuixote]

If you are buying over the internet there is typically an examination period for purposes of verifying that the diamond looks the way your vendor described it to you. If the jeweler tells you the SI2 is "eye-clean" the SI2 should be no problem.

Even so, it's always wise to have a reputable appraiser examine the stone for assurance of represented quality - either as part of the purchase or during the verification period.

Polish is the quality of finish given to the diamond. It is done at 10x magnification. Tiny blemishes, scratches or surface graining can lower a diamonds polish grade. Try to avoid any grade of poor.

Symmetry as graded by the labs deals with A: Facet junctions meeting equally (seeing if the lines are clean and there is no misalignment) and B: The crown in relation to the pavilion (making certain all of the main facets are aligned - that there is no “twist”). Again, avoid any grade of poor.

PS: Hest... So, would you grade Sean Connery "eye clean" or "eye candy"?

 

[LuvthatSparkle]

I agree with the others you really need to see an SI1-SI2 up close. It can be a great value.

 

[laney]

I have an S12 - and you can''t see anything w/o a loupe when it is set.

That said - because it''s a great stone otherwise (H&A F, 1.5ct).... I don''t think I got a great BIG price discount... lol! probably a little

 

[Dancing Fire]

Date: 11/17/2004 10:48:32 AM
Author:mclapham
I wanted to hear your thoughts on whether SI1 and SI2 stones are recommended (I have a budget to go up to VS2, but wondering if its worth it).

H, SI1 stone: very brilliant. with 10x glass, two very tiny white spots. jeweller said there was a tiny black spot, but i could not see it.

F, SI2 stone: very brilliant. with 10x glass, a big white spot to the corner of the stone. no black spots that i could see.

Is it worthwhile considering even going down to a SI2?

also, is there considerable difference between polish/symmetry of EX/VG/G ?

mclapham
i brought a 3.34 ct SI1 RB from GOG ,Jon call it eye clean then i send it to Dave Atlas(Chris) the appraiser call it eye clean and i can't see any inclusions without a loupe but my pair of eyes is 46 yrs old and by the time i get to 56 yrs old every stone will be" LOUPE CLEAN ".....LOL

 

[aljdewey]

Date: 11/17/2004 10:48:32 AM
Author:mclapham
I wanted to hear your thoughts on whether SI1 and SI2 stones are recommended (I have a budget to go up to VS2, but wondering if its worth it).

H, SI1 stone: very brilliant. with 10x glass, two very tiny white spots. jeweller said there was a tiny black spot, but i could not see it.

F, SI2 stone: very brilliant. with 10x glass, a big white spot to the corner of the stone. no black spots that i could see.

Is it worthwhile considering even going down to a SI2?

If the inclusions cannot be seen with your unaided eye, then I feel of course it''s worth it.

There is no stock right answer for every situation. You don''t mention if the stones are well-cut RB or if they are fancy....some fancies like emeralds show inclusions more readily and dictate higher clarity.

In well-cut RB stones, the SI2 grading is often eyeclean in more moderate sized stones (less than 1.25 ct). However, several of the crew here have bought positively gorgeous SI2 stones in the 2 and 3 carat sizes which are completely eyeclean, too.

My point - I wouldn''t rule SI2 out if it will help you get something else (higher color, bigger size, exceptional cut, or better value).

I was only considering SI1 stones until my vendor mentioned he had an amazing SI2 stone. I was instantly leery and hesitant, but he told me exactly what he saw as he looked at it, and I decided to trust what he saw. WOW - so glad I did. My stone is completely eye-clean with no loupe, and I was able to go to a 1.24 instead of a 1.05. HUGE difference.

Oh, and the nice thing is, I have FINALLY found an inclusion that I can repeatably spot under magnification, so I have a handy way to always identify my stone.