what exactly is classified as "eye clean"

[lovehersomuch]

As some of you may know I''m actively searching for the perfect diamond for my gf. In my criteria I was looking for specifically SI1/SI2 diamonds so that I could get a larger ct size. It was my understanding that SI2''s can be eye clean - you cannot see the inclusion with the naked eye. Is this really the case? It''s a lot more difficult to find a SI1 diamond for the right price when you go in the higher ct sizes.


who here has an SI2 and what do you think about it?

 

[JulieN]

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/clarity-eye-clean-definition-interpretation-and-taste.30483/

 

[ImpatientOne]

I had an SI2 that was eye clean from the top, but inclusions were visible form the side. I recently upgraded to an SI1 that is totally eye clean from all angles.

I would be curious to know if anyone here has an SI2 that is eye clean from all angles...

 

[lucy.lucy.80]

my diamond is an expert selection Ideal cut G SI2 from whiteflash and it is eye clean (as in I cant see any inclusions at all with my naked eye looking up close at the diamond). Out of the 4 C''s, I was least concerned with clarity as long as I couldnt see the inclusion. I love my e-ring and I get a ton of compliments on how sparkly and beautiful it is.

Im not an expert, but just from my research when looking at SI2 diamonds consider the following:
- obviously make sure its eye clean (if purchasing from the internet you can send it to an individual jeweler for checkout)
- make sure the incusion does not comprimise the durability or performance of the diamond (ie large feather at the edge of the stone, big cloud on the table).
- I personally stayed away from incusions on the table...if its dead center I felt i would notice it more than if the incusions were on the side.
- get a excellent-very good cut/polish/symmetry

Not sure if you plan on ordering from the internet, but james at whiteflash was sooo helpful and honest with us and really made us feel comfortable about our decision.

good luck!!

 

[diagem]

Date: 2/7/2008 1:20:00 PM
Author:lovehersomuch
As some of you may know I''m actively searching for the perfect diamond for my gf. In my criteria I was looking for specifically SI1/SI2 diamonds so that I could get a larger ct size. It was my understanding that SI2''s can be eye clean - you cannot see the inclusion with the naked eye. Is this really the case? It''s a lot more difficult to find a SI1 diamond for the right price when you go in the higher ct sizes.


who here has an SI2 and what do you think about it?

It depends a lot on the shape and type of faceting arrangements...

An SI2 eye-clean is pretty rare..., especially when you know the position of the inclusions..
And..., its very personal as to your eyesight ability...

 

[milton333]

Well, as noted in the link, "eye clean" means different things to different people. To most vendors, "eye clean" means no noticeable inclusions from a reasonable, social viewing distance, not "no inclusions visible to the naked eye." If you scrutinize a diamond pretty closely (particularly if you''re near-sighted), you can probably see inclusions from the top or sides at SI1 - depending on the cut (such as emerald cut), it''s possible even with VS2. What''s important is your definition of eye clean/mind clean - what do you need to be comfortable with the diamond? If it''s top-down from 8 inches, or from the side at 3 inches, let your vendor know your criteria so there are no surprises.

 

[lovehersomuch]

some background - the diamond will be an Ideal color and colorless with faint/none flourescence. It should also help make it more eye clean if it is an SI2 diamond - which it most likely will be.

It will also not be purchased online so i will have the opportunity to see it in person to verify that it is eye clean.

 

[Lynn B]

Impatient One and DiaGem,

I have a gorgeous, totally eyeclean SI2 AGS-0 2.36 RB. It is eyeclean from all angles and at close scrutiny. Believe me! Ask anyone who knows me, they''ll tell you that anything else would drive me completely insane!!!

With the loupe, I can find a few small wisps, but that doesn''t bother me.

Totally eyeclean SI2s ARE out there, even in larger sizes. I promise!

 

[diagem]

Date: 2/7/2008 4:01:23 PM
Author: Lynn B
Impatient One and DiaGem,

I have a gorgeous, totally eyeclean SI2 AGS-0 2.36 RB. It is eyeclean from all angles and at close scrutiny. Believe me! Ask anyone who knows me, they''ll tell you that anything else would drive me completely insane!!!

With the loupe, I can find a few small wisps, but that doesn''t bother me.

Totally eyeclean SI2s ARE out there, even in larger sizes. I promise!

Nice..., definitely rare..., but is possible...

 

[strmrdr]

Date: 2/7/2008 4:01:23 PM
Author: Lynn B
Impatient One and DiaGem,

I have a gorgeous, totally eyeclean SI2 AGS-0 2.36 RB. It is eyeclean from all angles and at close scrutiny. Believe me! Ask anyone who knows me, they''ll tell you that anything else would drive me completely insane!!!

With the loupe, I can find a few small wisps, but that doesn''t bother me.

Totally eyeclean SI2s ARE out there, even in larger sizes. I promise!

Just either be lucky or not in a hurry when trying too find one in larger sizes.

 

[Lynn B]

Date: 2/7/2008 4:08:22 PM
Author: DiaGem
Nice..., definitely rare..., but is possible...

Thanks for the compliment.

BTW, Solange, who also posts here, has an SI2 4+''er that''s totally eyeclean, too. And there are lots more. Just take a look at that "Post your SI stones here..." thread. That thread is chock-full of killer, eyeclean SI stones.

 

[Lynn B]

Date: 2/7/2008 4:13:17 PM
Author: strmrdr
Just either be lucky or not in a hurry when trying too find one in larger sizes.

Yeah, that''s a great point, Storm. Not all SI stones are *created equal*. You may have to take your time and look at a few (or more) before you find one that is totally eyeclean. But again, they ARE out there... and they really help a buyer get the most bang for his/her buck! And I am ALL ABOUT that!!!

 

[diagem]

Date: 2/7/2008 4:14:06 PM
Author: Lynn B

Date: 2/7/2008 4:08:22 PM
Author: DiaGem
Nice..., definitely rare..., but is possible...

Thanks for the compliment.

BTW, Solange, who also posts here, has an SI2 4+''er that''s totally eyeclean, too. And there are lots more. Just take a look at that ''Post your SI stones here...'' thread. That thread is chock-full of killer, eyeclean SI stones.

Lynn B..., just dont forget that most images are split frames..., Diamonds live with movements..., inclusions appear differently in different positions and lighting''s!
Some inclusions will be seen in certain positions and some will be eyeclean in other positions!

 

[Lynn B]

Date: 2/7/2008 4:21:05 PM
Author: DiaGem
Lynn B..., just dont forget that most images are split frames..., Diamonds live with movements..., inclusions appear differently in different positions and lighting''s!
Some inclusions will be seen in certain positions and some will be eyeclean in other positions!

I am aware of that, thanks.
However, most photos are still the *best* (most *brutal!*) way to show an inclusion, providing, of course, the inclusion is *visible* from that particular view!
And the other side of that is that when (well cut) diamonds are *moving* they are sparkling and "alive" and any inclusions, then, are virtually impossible to see.

 

[diagem]

Date: 2/7/2008 4:30:20 PM
Author: Lynn B

Date: 2/7/2008 4:21:05 PM
Author: DiaGem
Lynn B..., just dont forget that most images are split frames..., Diamonds live with movements..., inclusions appear differently in different positions and lighting''s!
Some inclusions will be seen in certain positions and some will be eyeclean in other positions!

I am aware of that, thanks.
However, most photos are still the *best* (most *brutal!*) way to show an inclusion, providing, of course, the inclusion is *visible* from that particular view!
And the other side of that is that when (well cut) diamonds are *moving* they are sparkling and ''alive'' and any inclusions, then, are virtually impossible to see.

You are really sticking to your story...

 

[Lynn B]

Date: 2/7/2008 4:39:02 PM
Author: DiaGem
You are really sticking to your story...

Yep, that''s my tagline for a reason!

 

[Allison D.]

Date: 2/7/2008 1:55:41 PM
Author: DiaGem

An SI2 eye-clean is pretty rare..., especially when you know the position of the inclusions..

As written here, I have to very respectfully disagree with this.

I presently own four SI2 stones, all .75 to 1.25. (I do realize this isn't monstrous or 'larger' sizes, but since the OP hasn't defined his perception of larger, I'll qualify anyway.) All of they are eyeclean. I sat at a table with nine other Pricescope women a month ago, all of whom had a chance to ogle them too.....no one could note the inclusions without a loupe.

I have owned previously two other SI2s as well, a .56 and a .74. Those were both eyeclean as well.

I've spent more time gazing at my stones than some people have spent gazing at their children! LOL...so it's not that I'm just missing it for lack of looking closely/intently enough.

In addition to that, one of Mara's former stones was an SI2, and my peepers spent a great deal of time swooning over that stone, too. Yep - eyeclean.

It is true that a lesser percentage of SI2 stones will be eyeclean than will at higher clarity grades, but I think categorizing it as 'pretty rare' is probably a stretch. I own four myself, so it's hard for me to get behind the 'rare' thing.

I will agree with you, though, that one's personal eyesight does also play a factor in the mix, too.

 

[Allison D.]

Lovehersomuch, my best recommendation for you would be this:

You can absolutely score an eyeclean SI2 stone if you work with a vendor who will visually inspect the stone for you (or with you). That means either an online vendor who evaluates inhouse or a trusted vendor local to you.

If you have a trusted vendor and a reasonable return policy in case it''s not eyeclean to your eyes, you should be able to successfully maximize your budget.

 

[diagem]

Date: 2/8/2008 1:15:41 AM
Author: Allison D.

Date: 2/7/2008 1:55:41 PM
Author: DiaGem

It depends a lot on the shape and type of faceting arrangements...

An SI2 eye-clean is pretty rare..., especially when you know the position of the inclusions..

As written here, I have to very respectfully disagree with this.

Alj..., when disagreeing with something..., please show the whole picture you disagree with....

I presently own four SI2 stones, all .75 to 1.25. (I do realize this isn''t monstrous or ''larger'' sizes, but since the OP hasn''t defined his perception of larger, I''ll qualify anyway.) All of they are eyeclean. I sat at a table with nine other Pricescope women a month ago, all of whom had a chance to ogle them too.....no one could note the inclusions without a loupe.

I have owned previously two other SI2s as well, a .56 and a .74. Those were both eyeclean as well.

I''ve spent more time gazing at my stones than some people have spent gazing at their children! LOL...so it''s not that I''m just missing it for lack of looking closely/intently enough.

In addition to that, one of Mara''s former stones was an SI2, and my peepers spent a great deal of time swooning over that stone, too. Yep - eyeclean.

It is true that a lesser percentage of SI2 stones will be eyeclean than will at higher clarity grades, but I think categorizing it as ''pretty rare'' is probably a stretch. I own four myself, so it''s hard for me to get behind the ''rare'' thing.

Lesser is objective???

I will agree with you, though, that one''s personal eyesight does also play a factor in the mix, too.

Firstly..., I sometimes forget that consumer and pro''s visualize these things differently...
The smaller and more brilliant the Diamond is..., naturally the inclusions will be masked better making the inclusion harder to notice!

But you are correct that an honest vendor can relay their honest opinion on the matter...