Would this ACA H&A SI2 scare you?

[CarbonCrew]

I have been lurking for a LONG time and have been picking up a lot of information. I''m getting a little anxious about buying a diamond as I now have found the perfect setting. For a while now I''ve been looking for a H&A in the .75-.90 Carat range, G-I color, and ''eye-clean''. I know the definition varies from person to person. I was recently contacted by the helpful folks at Whiteflash with a diamond that matched my criteria.

Here is the diamond:
http://www.whiteflash.com/hearts_arrows/A-Cut-Above-H-A-cut-diamond-684405.htm#

It''s nearly perfect, but man I can''t get over its inclusions. With brief discussion with the Whiteflash people, they tell me it is ''eye-clean'', but I have my doubts. But then again, I have no idea what an ''eye-clean'' SI2 would look like.

What is your opinion of this diamond? Good buy? Be patient and wait for another?

Thanks for all of the help.

 

[Skippy123]

On their website they give you their definition of eye clean. I guess it depend on how sensitive you are.

ETA: I agree, these pics are super magnified.

 

[Cocosgirl]

I am no expert, but I always try and remember that these great pics are at 40X magnifiied, so, if WF has said it is eye clean, perhaps you can purchase and see with your own eyes, and if not, return it?

 

[Splinter]

Whiteflash are well respected and the general opinion seems to be that if they say it''s eye clean, then it is. But as has been said, you can always have a look and return it if it doesn''t match up to your expectations.

The Whiteflash definition of eye clean is:

style="WIDTH: 66.78%; HEIGHT: 56px">
''No inclusions visible face-up at a distance of 8-10 inches in natural lighting to a person with 20/20 vision.''

 

[Allison D.]

Date: 4/8/2008 6:01:40 PM
Author: Cocosgirl
I am no expert, but I always try and remember that these great pics are at 40X magnifiied, so, if WF has said it is eye clean, perhaps you can purchase and see with your own eyes, and if not, return it?

Several people on PS own completely clean SI2 stones (myself included

), so I want to assure you that it''s absolutely possible.

Coco''s makes a great point, though, and worth repeating. While we and other vendors can tell you what we think is eyeclean, your own eyes are the most important ones. That''s why most of us vendors here on Pricescope have the return policies that we do.....so that you can be completely confident in your selection.

 

[Kaleigh]

Wouldn''t scare me. I have an SI2 from WF and it''s eye clean. You can always send it back if it''s not eye clean to YOU.

 

[CarbonCrew]

I have no doubt in my mind that it''s possible to find clean SI2''s. I''ve seen some beautiful stones on here that are SI2 and gorgeous. I''m not doubting Whiteflash''s claim that the stone is ''eye-clean'' as their reputation is 2nd to none. It is just harder for me to imagine buying a diamond, having it shipped, and find out that it did not live up to my expectations. I really don''t want to waste anyone''s time or inconvenience anyone in the process.

I guess then what I''m asking is, being a well informed-PSer, if you were in the market for a stone in this range, would it be one that you would take a chance on? or would would you keep searching?

 

[Gemma12]

Hey CC,

1. I would trust whiteflash, they are pretty reputable.

2. As Alj says, if you receive the stone and feel that it is not eyeclean you can return it.

3. If you are looking at SI stones, I''m guessing ''mind clean'' is not a concern for you-if it is then you may have to consider higher clarity stones as all SI stones will have some inclusion visible at 40x.

4. Looks like a great stone, you should put a hold on it!

 

[iheartscience]

I would totally go for it-getting it shipped to you isn''t really a big deal, and if you find out that it isn''t eye clean to you, you can just ship it back. It''s actually pretty cheap because I believe WF has you use registered, insured mail to send stuff back. I think to ship my ring to WF for resizing it was about $25. It may be less for you because that diamond''s price is less than my ring.

Also, try looking at the regular picture of the diamond before you click on "Enlarge" and see how hard it is to spot the inclusion. And imagine that picture a lot smaller (what, around 6 mm?) because it will be the actual diamond size. It''s going to be even harder to spot the inclusion then!

I say go for it-I think that''s a really good price for such a beautifully cut, close to 1 carat diamond! Worth risking $25!

 

[Dreamer_D]

I''m pretty picky, but looking at my own .81ct WF stone and seeing how sparkly it is, I can''t imagine that you will see those inclusions with everyday use. If you plan to take extreme close up pictures of your diamond, though, you may be able to see them... but not everyone is crazy like that!

I am, and I like that my diamond looks good magnified a tonne. But I went down to a J color and got VS2, so compromises are always made in the name of budget!

I say order it and see what you think... I bet you will love it!

DD

 

[CarbonCrew]

Date: 4/8/2008 10:22:07 PM
Author: dreamer_dachsie
I''m pretty picky, but looking at my own .81ct WF stone and seeing how sparkly it is, I can''t imagine that you will see those inclusions with everyday use. If you plan to take extreme close up pictures of your diamond, though, you may be able to see them... but not everyone is crazy like that!

I am, and I like that my diamond looks good magnified a tonne. But I went down to a J color and got VS2, so compromises are always made in the name of budget!


I say order it and see what you think... I bet you will love it!


DD

Hah, funny that you would respond to this post. I was just looking in the "Show me the Ring" forum and saw your AWESOME ring and I was like "Dang that is really nice, I wonder what the clarity is on it?" and here you are asnwering that very question. How do you like your J color stone as opposed to others you may have looked at?

 

[angel777]

I have an SI2 stone from Whitelfash that is eye clean and its gorgeous.
If that is the only thing stopping you, I''d definitely get it shipped to you and check it out with your own eyes.
Judging this stone with your own eyes will be better than any pictures.

 

[swingirl]

I would be very comfortable with this SI2. It looks like the inclusions are all located in the same area and are white. Unless you walk around with a loupe attached to your ring finger who would ever notice the white specks? Some people are bothered by just knowing they're there. But if WF gives their thumbs up I think you are safe. If you are concerned get it and have them ship it to you to inspect before you have it set. I think it's a beautiful stone!

I own a VVS1 and recently bought an I1. I am happy with both but I like the price I got on the I1 better!

My opinion--it's a beautifully cut stone. Good color, not low at all. The SI1 puts in as a great value. You could spend $1k more by going up in clarity.

 

[butterfly 17]

It would depend on the actually inclusions, including location and size. I think I might be uncomfortable with the inclusion location of this stone.

But if Whiteflash says it''s eye clean, then I would believe them.

I am going through this right now, I was told the diamond was eye clean, but someone else at the office said she could see something, so I am waiting to speak to that person to find out.

Always remember, an eye clean stone is not the same thing as a mind clean stone, so if you have doubts now, this may not be the stone for you. I need to take my own advice sometimes!

 

[DeeDeDee]

I agree with the majority here about just checking it out for yourself. I bought an SI2 from WF , and had exactly the same concerns you have. My main surprise was that as I had never seen an unset diamond, it was just mesmerizing to play with one!

To look at one from all angles, to feel the weightlessness and to actually be able to view the hearts pattern on the underside (I believe they still send out a kit containing an idealscope with their ACAs..) is all so worth the extra trouble of having to ship it back. (I sent mine back only because we had them set it for us)

someday, I will live my dream of dribbling loose diamonds from hand to hand like sand...

 

[Dreamer_D]

Date: 4/8/2008 10:48:45 PM
Author: CarbonCrew

Date: 4/8/2008 10:22:07 PM
Author: dreamer_dachsie
I''m pretty picky, but looking at my own .81ct WF stone and seeing how sparkly it is, I can''t imagine that you will see those inclusions with everyday use. If you plan to take extreme close up pictures of your diamond, though, you may be able to see them... but not everyone is crazy like that!

I am, and I like that my diamond looks good magnified a tonne. But I went down to a J color and got VS2, so compromises are always made in the name of budget!


I say order it and see what you think... I bet you will love it!


DD

Hah, funny that you would respond to this post. I was just looking in the ''Show me the Ring'' forum and saw your AWESOME ring and I was like ''Dang that is really nice, I wonder what the clarity is on it?'' and here you are asnwering that very question. How do you like your J color stone as opposed to others you may have looked at?

That is funny! And that''s cool you like my new rock... I am blown away by the optics on this stone, and I''m sure the one you are considering would be the same. All I see is sparklyl.

As for color, I love it. Something about ideals that I wasn''t aware of before getting mine is that they pick up the colors around them... poorly cut stones (or even well-cut non-ideals I think) don''t do this, they just look white. But my stone looks lavender in the bathroom, and yellow in the living room, and grey in my car... and through those base colors is sparkle sparkle sparkle. And the fire in the right lighting is very impressive. So through all that, how can I even see the body color?? I can''t. If I look at it sideways and compare it to my D/F color ECs on my three-stone, I can see that my RB is a little more... warm?? It is such a subtle difference that is is not even noticable to me and I loooove my stone. I will always buy Js and I plan to upgrade to a 1.8ct over the next three to four years. All I''ve hread from my friends etc is that my stone is blindingly sparkly, no one has even remotely asked about color.

A caveat: I use an ultra sonic cleaner on my ring every day, so my stone is very clean. The optics wouldn''t be as good if it weren''t clean, so I think the masking effects of sparkle for color or inclusions won''t be as good if you dont keep it clean. Someone else commented on this with their stone too.

Keep us posted, I can''t wait to see what you get!

DD