White Specks in Diamond?

[bsheth]

So my fiance has been admiring her new e-ring for two weeks and went to look at it under a loupe that her mom had. When she looked under the loupe she saw what she described as "white specks" in the diamond. These were mainly visible from the sides of the stone, but a few could be seen from the top as well. She described the "white specks" as extremely common when she was looking at the stone from each side on a princess cut.

I know that diamonds are graded from the top down so these were not taken into account in the grading report, but I am wondering what these "white specks" could be.

I purchased from WF and I am within my 30 day return period on an expert select stone so I want to make sure everything is ok. The specifications on the stone are:

Princess cut - GIA
6.09x6.08x4.35
1.37ct, G, VS1

Am I being a bit paranoid or are these types of "white specks" visible on all stones? Thanks everyone!

 

[kenny]

Are you sure these white specs are really IN the diamond and not just on top of it?

It is very difficult to get a diamond perfectly clean for loupe inspection.
Even if you managed to get it perfectly clean it won't stay clean for long because diamonds seem to be magnets for gunk, dust and oil.

 

[stone-cold11]

ditto.

 

[crisnpearl]

it''s hard to say whether the spots are inclusions or dirt, but for a VS1 clarity stone any inclusions should be not so easy to spot.
Have you had the ring independently appraised?

 

[bsheth]

She did clean it with a lint free cloth that came in the cleaning kit, but given her setting it likely is difficult to clean the sides. I have not had the stone appraised yet. My fiance is in the Houston area so I was going to have her take it to either Ben Gordon or Christine York. Any recommendations or preferences? Thanks!

 

[FB.]

You would have to be quite experienced with a loupe to see multiple "white speck" inclusions in a 1ct VS1 stone.
I suspect that they are reflections of tiny skin flakes, or specks of dust, or droplets of skin oils/creams/soaps that are stuck to the bottom of the stone.
Your grading certificate should tell you what inclusions are in the stone and 1ct+ GIA stones usually come with a plot showing the type and location of inclusions.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Date: 6/4/2010 2:36:11 PM
Author: FB.
You would have to be quite experienced with a loupe to see multiple 'white speck' inclusions in a 1ct VS1 stone.
I suspect that they are reflections of tiny skin flakes, or specks of dust, or droplets of skin oils/creams/soaps that are stuck to the bottom of the stone.
Your grading certificate should tell you what inclusions are in the stone and 1ct+ GIA stones usually come with a plot showing the type and location of inclusions.

Big fat ditto. I cannot imagine that she is seeing anything other than dirt.

Me thinks you should tell your future mother in law to back off with the loupe

Unfortunately, if you have this type of family member then the diamond could be forever "tainted" in your mind or your fiance's mind. If you future MIL going to go around telling other people that your diamond is poor quality because of these "specks"? Do you care? Talk to your fiance and see what she wants to do.

 

[stonecutter2]

Strangely enough, I had the same thing on my diamond - white flecks that looked like they were "in" the stone. I actually took it into a jeweler and had them clean the stone for me thoroughly, told them there was some build up on it - actually I think it may have been something they used to polish the ring, maybe? It was pretty stubborn stuff, even on the table!

It came out totally clear, pretty much! Except for some very tiny water droplets

It's probably just something a good cleaning machine will take care of for you

Have it cleaned by a jeweler and then when it's clean, ask to check it out under a scope. If something still looks fishy, ask the jeweler what they make of it.