twinning whisps

[BlingMan]

Hi everyone.

I''ve been lurking here for awhile but just now have come up to a dilemma where I need some help.

I''ve found a diamond that I''m thinking of buying, but in the GIA report it states "additional twinning wisps are not shown. Surface graining is not shown."

GIA rates it excellent cut, symmetry and polish with no black inclusions. I''m guessing the only reason why GIA rated it VS2 is because of the twinning wisps, which from what I understand are white cloudy or stringy internal inclusions.

Since GIA rates it a VS2, I''m assuming these are very difficult to see without a 10x loop, and that it shouldn''t affect the brilliance of the diamond.

My question is this.

How do twinning wisps affect the value of the diamond versus the other more common internal inclusions like feathers, clouds pinpoints? Does it hurt the value more than the common inclusions? or should I limit my concern to the GIA rating given at VS2 and treat the defect like any other defect?

Thank you for your responses!

 

[kenny]

I may be wrong but I think when setting the price a GIA VS2 is a GIA VS2.

We all know that no two GIA VS2s is exactly the same.

But what *exactly* made it a GIA VS2 is not considered when setting the price.

Right?

 

[JohnQuixote]

Welcome to the forum BlingMan.

Twinning wisps result from crystal distortion during growth. They're flat or ribbon-like cloudy areas, often radiating out from the diamond's center. Surface Graining is diamond structural irregularity which you could see with a microscope. Neither hurts the diamond's value and a GIA VS2 is a very safe grade, even if it has a more significant inclusion - such as a feather.

Many times a diamond grading report will list things as 'not shown.' The diamond's report is just noting that these things exist for sake of thoroughness. The characteristics which are 'not shown' are non-issues.

As an aside - though we call diamonds without visible inclusions 'flawless' we don't usually call clarity characteristics 'defects' (in the trade anyway).

Mother nature was responsible and some people consider inclusions and blemishes natural 'fingerprints' which make their diamond special.

 

[zjt3]

I just bought a GIA SI1 with twinning whisps and surface graining, and I can''t even see them under a 10x loupe (not that I''m a pro or anything, but I did look at a ton of diamonds while shopping). In my opinion these are great value stones, and my SI1 is cleaner than the majority of the VS1''s I looked at. I forget where (either pricescope or whiteflash I think) but there is a good tutorial about inclusions and it shows how twinning whisps look in different lighting - the majority of the time they are pretty much completely invisible, even under high power magnification.

I couldn''t be happier and would say go for it!

-Zack