VS1 vs. VS2 inclusions on the diagram (GIA)

[Meandra]

Greetings,

The regulars of this forum might remember my earlier posts regarding my search for a well cut 2+ rb. Thanks to the great help that I received from fellow posters back then (Lorelei, above all--thanks a million!

) ), I feel a lot more confident now in finding something I really like. I will soon post some of the offers I have received to solicit your opinion, but before doing so, I would like to ask something that''s been on my mind regarding clarity.

My current ering, as I have stated earlier, is a VS1 stone, and its only imperfection comes from the ''naturals'' which I think in this case are unpolished cavities that are on the surface close to its girdle. I have never been able to locate them with my naked eye.

The stones that I am currently offered are also either VS1 or VS2 clarity (because I asked them so), but they seem to contain impurities, which appear to be right under the table in the diagrams on GIA certs. I have read in various posts here that stone clarity is graded face up, but does the location of the impurities make an automatic difference in grading (like dividing the stone into zones, and grading accordingly)? That is, would a needle under the table make a stone graded as VS2, which would be graded as VS1 if it was nearer the culet or near the girdle, and thus makes it more difficult to see faceup? Also, I am assuming that crystals (if darker colored) are easier to detect than needles in general, is this correct?

Finally, do you think that my goal of finding a VS1-VS2 where all impurities would be in the culet/pavillion region and therefore more difficult to detect once the stone is mounted realistic? Cos I would hate to be able detect something with my naked eye after purchasing it.

Thank you for your input,

Meandra

 

[stone-cold11]

I do not know about the grading, but I understand there is some correlation.

But I would be more worried if a visible inclusion is near the pavilion as those are more likely to be reflected throughout the stone than one situated near the crown from what I understand.

So bottomline, do not go by the inclusion plot, go with a trusted vendor on eye-cleanliness or a vendor with a good, relatively long return period policy and study your stone carefully during that period.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 4/8/2010 10:41:27 AM
Author:Meandra

Greetings,

The regulars of this forum might remember my earlier posts regarding my search for a well cut 2+ rb. Thanks to the great help that I received from fellow posters back then (Lorelei, above all--thanks a million!

) ), I feel a lot more confident now in finding something I really like. I will soon post some of the offers I have received to solicit your opinion, but before doing so, I would like to ask something that's been on my mind regarding clarity.

My current ering, as I have stated earlier, is a VS1 stone, and its only imperfection comes from the 'naturals' which I think in this case are unpolished cavities that are on the surface close to its girdle. I have never been able to locate them with my naked eye.

The stones that I am currently offered are also either VS1 or VS2 clarity (because I asked them so), but they seem to contain impurities, which appear to be right under the table in the diagrams on GIA certs. I have read in various posts here that stone clarity is graded face up, but does the location of the impurities make an automatic difference in grading (like dividing the stone into zones, and grading accordingly)? That is, would a needle under the table make a stone graded as VS2, which would be graded as VS1 if it was nearer the culet or near the girdle, and thus makes it more difficult to see faceup? Also, I am assuming that crystals (if darker colored) are easier to detect than needles in general, is this correct?

Finally, do you think that my goal of finding a VS1-VS2 where all impurities would be in the culet/pavillion region and therefore more difficult to detect once the stone is mounted realistic? Cos I would hate to be able detect something with my naked eye after purchasing it.

Thank you for your input,

Meandra

Hi Meandra!

It was my pleasure to help you, thanks for the shout out!!!

A clarity grade is awarded on the following factors concerning inclusions but not limited to;

type
size
location
colour
visibility

All of the above and more are taken into account when assigning a clarity grade. It isn't possible for us to say for sure if a stone would receive a particular grade or the reasonings why a certain grade was chosen, what I would do if you prefer VS then stick to that and the chances are favourable that such a stone will be eyeclean, but above all let a trusted vendor be your guide and really make sure your vendor understands that you don't want to see a thing from any angle or distance! Don't go by the clarity plot as these can be so deceptive.

The following article by Pricescope's Coatimundi could be helpful to you, what is an eyeclean diamond?

 

[Meandra]

Stone-cold11 and Lorelei, thank you very much for your help. I did check the thread that Lorelei gave, and I really liked the info there--but the two links at the bottom of that page are even better for more technical info. I think I''ll need to be quite specific with what I mean by ''eye clean'' when I write to the vendors, as the term does seem to vary in real life.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 4/8/2010 3:24:04 PM
Author: Meandra

Stone-cold11 and Lorelei, thank you very much for your help. I did check the thread that Lorelei gave, and I really liked the info there--but the two links at the bottom of that page are even better for more technical info. I think I''ll need to be quite specific with what I mean by ''eye clean'' when I write to the vendors, as the term does seem to vary in real life.

We are glad to help! And yes that is key, be as specific as you can concerning your expectations of '' eyecleanliness'' to the vendor and make sure the vendor can inspect the stone for you in order to give you an accurate description. At VS level chances are you will find a completely eyeclean diamond but we have had the odd case where a tiny inclusion has been spotted from some angle which has not been acceptable to the buyer, so you are on the right track in being as specific as possible.