Worried about clouds in SI2

[Stellablue687]

Hi All!

I''m upgrading my diamond with WF. I found an ES that has great numbers, see here for stats: http://www.whiteflash.com/round/Round-cut-diamond-2181555.htm#

Bob told me it was eye clean, and he could not see the inclusions unless he used a microscope. I was pretty psyched and ordered it. But I just noticed on the cert that the clouds are the basis for the grading clarity. Now I''m worried....should I be? Does anyone have any experience with a stone like this? Will it look hazy?

 

[stone-cold11]

If you are worried, get it check out with an independent appraiser.

 

[AprilBaby]

You can''t see any clouds on the 40x magnification so I doubt you will see them with your eye.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 9/4/2009 7:01:05 PM
Author:Stellablue687
Hi All!

I''m upgrading my diamond with WF. I found an ES that has great numbers, see here for stats: http://www.whiteflash.com/round/Round-cut-diamond-2181555.htm#

Bob told me it was eye clean, and he could not see the inclusions unless he used a microscope. I was pretty psyched and ordered it. But I just noticed on the cert that the clouds are the basis for the grading clarity. Now I''m worried....should I be? Does anyone have any experience with a stone like this? Will it look hazy?

If Bob says there isn''t a problem with the clouds then you can proceed with confidence, he is very experienced and will be truthful with you. These cloud grade setters are of concern more with non in house diamonds, unlikely to be a problem with carefully evaluated hand selected stones.

 

[FB.]

I would need considerable reassurances to persuade me to buy a SI2 with clouds as the grade setting inclusions.
I'd probably tolerate a VS-clarity stone with clouds as the grade setters.
Rather than an eye clean SI2 with clouds, I'd rather have a "semi-eye-clean" SI2 with a few barely visible crystals in discrete places. At least the crystals will only block a small amount of light passage. With clouds, there will be a slight, all-over impairment of light. Even VS-grade clouds look quite scary when viewed under magnification.
Although the stone is highly likely to be an eye clean SI2, the clouds (being the grade-setters) could well be making the light transmission rather hazy and may have some impact on brilliance. The excellent cut grade may partially offset that. Without the clouds, I suspect that the single small inclusion at the edge of the table would grade the stone as VS2.

 

[D&T]

Date: 9/4/2009 8:47:33 PM
Author: AprilBaby
You can''t see any clouds on the 40x magnification so I doubt you will see them with your eye.

true, I have a cloud in my SI2 stone from WF and I couldn''t see where it was under 40x I had to have my jeweler point it out to me... so I wouldn''t worry about it

 

[strmrdr]

Bob knows what to look for to tell if its an issue.
Have him or one of the other GGs get the stone in hand and talk to you about it on the phone if it hasn't shipped yet and you are concerned.
Otherwise if it has shipped you have the return policy to check it out or have it appraised.

 

[stone-cold11]

Date: 9/5/2009 1:37:24 PM
Author: D&T

Date: 9/4/2009 8:47:33 PM

Author: AprilBaby

You can''t see any clouds on the 40x magnification so I doubt you will see them with your eye.

true, I have a cloud in my SI2 stone from WF and I couldn''t see where it was under 40x I had to have my jeweler point it out to me... so I wouldn''t worry about it

In this case it is different as the clouds are not plotted but commented on. The comment says ''Clarity grade is based on clouds not shown''. Probably too disperse to plot.

 

[FB.]

"Clouds not shown" does not generally concern me.
"Clarity grade based on clouds that are not shown" cause me concern when below VS grades.

Not all clouds are created equal. They can be large or small and they can be composed of dense microscopic particles or scattered particles. If the clarity grade of SI2 is based on clouds, they are likely to be quite large or dense.

Imagine an "eye clean" but cloudy diamond to be like looking through fog; you can't see the individual particles of raindrops, but they certainly have potential to limit your visibility and brightness.
If you have a "semi-eye clean" with crystals, the viewing experience would be more like looking through rain; you can see the individual particles but you can still have good visibility between the crystals.

Given the obsession with hunting-out "100% eye clean" SI2 stones, I'd guess that's exactly why the seller has stocked it. It's eye clean, but it may suffer a slight loss of brilliance like looking through mist or fog.

 

[Laila619]

Sorry, that would make me a little nervous too.

 

[Stellablue687]

Thanks to all for your insights! This is actually an interesting discussion. I am curious – if the clouds were causing a haze or limiting the light dispersion wouldn’t that show up on the Idealscope/ASET image?

 

[stone-cold11]

No, it wouldn''t.

 

[strmrdr]

Date: 9/5/2009 2:20:14 PM
Author: Stellablue687
Thanks to all for your insights! This is actually an interesting discussion. I am curious – if the clouds were causing a haze or limiting the light dispersion wouldn’t that show up on the Idealscope/ASET image?

No, an in person inspection is the only way to tell.
It isn't something to be scared about or reject all stones with it, it is something to be checked to see if its an issue.

 

[FB.]

The IS/ASET pictures seem to have a slightly washed-out colour and slightly fuzzy edges compared to the images usually posted on PS. It could just be the way that the pictures were taken and have no significance, but maybe it is showing the light interference from the clouds.

 

[Stellablue687]

Well, Bob will just have to give me the verdict..I trust him completely. I can tolerate quite a bit of imperfection – I am not very color sensitive and I could never see the inclusions in my last stone (SI1 based on clouds only, albeit plotted clouds). But I would not be able to tolerate haziness. Thanks again to all who have commented! I will update after I speak with Bob…keep your fingers crossed that it looks good!

 

[stone-cold11]

Good luck.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 9/5/2009 4:44:31 PM
Author: Stellablue687
Well, Bob will just have to give me the verdict..I trust him completely. I can tolerate quite a bit of imperfection – I am not very color sensitive and I could never see the inclusions in my last stone (SI1 based on clouds only, albeit plotted clouds). But I would not be able to tolerate haziness. Thanks again to all who have commented! I will update after I speak with Bob…keep your fingers crossed that it looks good!

I honestly don't think you need to worry, Bob is incredibly experienced and I don't think a stone with detrimental clouds would pass muster for an ES anyway. Just tell him your concerns and see what he says. Let us know how you get on!

 

[Regular Guy]

You could ask Bob if he looked for the shimmer....