Whats more important and why...Color or Clarity?

[Euro_Addict]

I found a H&A round diamond thats H color and IF clarity..some people are telling me to try to find one better in color and not go IF...i think that combo would be great..but im not even close to an expert...thanks for input

 

[niceice]

The proportions of the diamond are the most important factor because it is the angle (and alignment) of the facets that control most of the light return. The second most important factor is the Color of the diamond because that characteristic can be seen with the naked eye where the clarity characteristics can not be seen without magnification assuming that you are working with an eye clean SI-1 or higher... The problem with the IF clarity grade is that you're paying a lot of money for a clarity grade which can easily be downgraded if the wearer happens to scratch the diamond in such a way that the result can be viewed from a Crown View of the diamond (from the top down) and while the difference in the Price Per Carat cost between a one carat, H, IF and a one carat, H, VVS-1 is only $300.00 it would be a far different scenario of the color were "D" - more like $5,400.00 per carat!

That said, if you like the idea that your diamond does not contain any inclusions which are visible to the grader at 10x and slightly higher magnification, that's cool... But if you're asking, is this the type of stone that we would buy the answer is "not really" because we'd go more for a slightly larger G color, VS-2

And here's a little something else to think about... Those extra inclusions in the VS-2 will enable you to identify the diamond when you drop it off and pick it up from a jewelry store... There isn't going to be anything readily identifiable inside of that "IF" puppy which is going to make your stomach churn every time you get it back from the jeweler because there isn't going to be an easy way for you to identify the stone... Laser inscription, sure, but that can be forged... The combination of inscription and inclusion identification is the way to go for peace of mind.

 

[pqcollectibles]

I think H is a great color. IF is a different story. You can easily drop into the VS range or an eye clean SI and get a larger carat weight.

Cut is #1. That's the key to the performance of the diamond. A well made diamond will sparkle and shine, and appear visually whiter and briter than the actual color grade.

Beyond Cut, it's a balancing act. What color pleases your eye. Different people have differing color perception. You may be a G person while someone else can go I or J. For clarity it comes down to what will mentally bother you in the way of inclusions. Size, type, color, and location are the keys to inclusions. As Robin and Todd pointed out, lots of folks like the idea of having a "birthmark" to identify their diamonds by.

Every thing costs money in a diamond. Obviously Carat weight costs. The quality of the make, Cut. Clarity costs. So does Color. You have to find the paricular combination in a diamond that works for you.

 

[Euro_Addict]

thanks for the help guys...even though u cant see inclusions to the eye...i can see them in my heart...if that makes any sense...but im ognna do even more research..god this is killin me!! lol i never thought anything could be so stressfull yet so fun at the same time

 

[pqcollectibles]

Take some time. Get out and look at some diamonds. DO NOT go to the Mall. Visit some diamond brokers in your area. Look at different clarity levels with a loupe. Get comfortable with the size of inclusions in VVS and VS. You may actually find that you can be happy with a VVS or even a VS once you've looked.

My VS has 2 very small crystals that were/are hard to find with a 10X loupe. You don't see them at all with the naked eye.

Don't fret about the clarity issue, tho, Euro. You have to be happy with the diamond, both visually and mentally. Find what you can and can't live with and work from there. Don't buy something you aren't comfortable with. If it bothers you now, it will continue to bother you every time you look at the ring.

Same with the color. H is a great color, but once you see some really well cut diamonds in person, you may find that you are comfortable dropping down to I color. Especially if you throw in some blue fluorescence. The price premium from H to I will compensate somewhat for the higher clarity.

Just remember to keep the proportions as the top priority and every thing else will fall into place.

 

[Rhino]

In defense of the IF grade...





We get to help many people and many times when people are choosing between diamonds they have in their hearts already determined an appropriate size and color range they want to stick within. Once they learn the importance of cut will also shoot for the most brilliant, fiery diamond they can get as well. If a person finds out that they can indeed get an IF that is within their budget that is an awesome cut, the color they are looking for and the size range they've determined is fine for them why not get an IF? Insofar as any potential damage is concerned, this is an extremely difficult thing to do. Remember ... it takes another diamond to cut another diamond and it is the hardest substance known to mankind (besides Wolverines claws

). I do not hesitate to purchase FL and IF stones and anytime down the road if a tiny abrasion should come onto the diamond this is something that is easily remedied with a simple repolishing. If you ask the opinions of alot of people on this forum most people here are about the size and how big of a diamond a person can get. To an extent I agree with this but at the same time I am one who appreciates the components of rarity and there are a lot of woman who would prefer the rarity of an IF diamond instead of a larger diamond. I particularly find this in many of my Asian clients who really appreciate the rarer components within the 4C's. The only times I might councel against it is if your comparison stone was superior in cut then I'd suggest getting the lower clarity with the superior brilliance but if you have an excellently cut diamond, it is the size you are content with and a color you are content with and it happens to be an IF ... GO FOR IT.




My .02c

 

[Nicrez]

Hey Rhino, agreed. I am NOT Asian, and I like the rarity of my E, VVS1 stone. Why? Because I am not a "size" girl, so much as I think the symbolism of the purity and rarity of the stone, paired with it's "adamatine" properties make the diamond an excellent symbol of marraige.




My uncle's proposal included a 2CT Princess IF stone...but I am NOT impressed by the cut. Me personally, I wouldn't be happy with a low color or low clarity, because not only do I have uncanny eyes for details (my blessing and my bane), but I like KNOWING that it is what it is...

My priorities: Cut, Color, Clarity, Cost (in that order!)




Note: I do not have a D, IF? Ok, so size IS sort of nice to have...

 

[Rhino]

I would like to also take this moment to make a bit of a public apology. Especially to my dear friends here such as pq, aldewey, mara or anyone I may have offended. At our store we are non stop busy and my emails are always full. At times I find a chance to hop on the forum as time allows and help people with advice concerning diamonds they are looking at etc. I tend to cut right to the chase and give very pointed opinions/advice and a dear friend has brought it to my attention that my responses seem rather "snippy". It is sincerely not my intent and I want all the regulars here to know that *all* input, be it from consumer or expert is highly valued. On this forum inparticular I've never met a group of people who are so willing to give of their time, expertise, knowledge etc. and while the input of experts is excellent (and we have IMO the most knowledgeable experts here on this forum), some of the best and most valued input comes from the consumers. In the end it is the consumers opinion that counts most while us experts will bring out some of the other more detailed criteria people may also want to consider. The intent of my post was just to point out that there are very different personality types and there are many who are enamored with getting a more rare diamond at the expense of weight while there are many on the other side of the spectrum who would rather have a larger size at the expense of clarity or color and of course there are many who fall in between.




There is no right or wrong with regards to these issues it all depends upon the individual making the purchase and what they deem as more important to them. I myself will try to be a little more sensitive in my responses as well. I really do think the world of my friends here on the forum and those whose paths God has crossed with my own.




Warm regards,

 

[valeria101]

Actually, clarity does not seem to affect price at the same rate in all color grades... Right or wrong ?

I could not agree more that the only thing wrong with the "IF" grade is that quite a few buyers do not know that this is not the only "eye clean". otherwise, "teh customers is always right" - at least as long as they know what they are talking about. And this is the case here.. so IF it is.

Not to mention that the actual price inclease due to high clarity (in numbers not %) in lower color grades may not represent a huge amount of money either ... L-IF anyone ?

 

[niceice]

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On 3/5/2004 1:54:34 PM Rhino wrote:


The intent of my post was just to point out that there are very different personality types and there are many who are enamored with getting a more rare diamond at the expense of weight while there are many on the other side of the spectrum who would rather have a larger size at the expense of clarity or color and of course there are many who fall in between.
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And that's how we read it, and we have to agree that sometimes "simple" things written in haste in an attempt to answer a question posed by somebody in the few minutes that we have as dealers on-line (it really isn't easy to find the time to get here folks when we're running high volume businesses) have the capacity to annoy, offend, or irritate somebody when that wasn't the intention at all... And you are exactly correct Rhino, there are many people who we have sold IF & FL diamonds to who purchased those diamonds with a clear understanding of the risks involved and our opinion of the clarity and color combination, but who did so because they wanted to give their Perfect Partner something Flawless and for that purpose we agree with the purpose of the clarity grade entirely

 

[Mara]

In my very own humble opinion...




I would not buy an H IF.




To me it's a waste of $$$ spent on a clarity grade that a) is very expensive, very... and b) no one can see.




Make sure if you buy that H IF you will tell people that it's flawless, otherwise...no one will know. If you just want to internally know it's flawless...why not get a D IF while you are at it?




I see color and clarity as working together to create a beautiful combination, rather than viewing them as separate things. I would not want to buy an I VVS, I'd rather buy an H SI.




Lastly, if you are considering the H IF because its the ONLY STONE that fits your bill and supply is limited in terms of what you are looking for, and you cannot wait to see what else surfaces, then yes I could see considering it. But if you have other options like H SI which are better for you, do that instead!

 

[aljdewey]

I share R/T's opinion on this.....to me, cut is most important, and color trumps clarity for me because color is more readily apparent to the unaided eye than clarity is (assuming an eyeclean stone).

 

[pqcollectibles]

I say again, H is a great color in a well cut diamond!

People have to buy what makes them MENTALLY and VISUALLY happy. If knowing the diamond is IF is important to Euro,.... Go For It!!

This is not about what works for me. It's what works for Euro.

 

[Rhino]

Thanks for understanding. All I can say is amen to variety.