Would you consider going to an I1 clarity grade for H&A studs?...

[bem3231]

So I''ve been looking for diamond studs. 2.4 - 2.5 cttw would be about my ideal size. I had been looking at smaller stones in the H/I SI range thinking that I would purchase from a vendor with a lifetime tradeup policy and work my way up to my ideal size.

Recently a pair of H&A studs have been made available to me by a very well-reputed dealer. They are 2.4 cttw I/J I1''s and are within my current price range. The dealer has called them in. looked at them, and told me that they face up white and look great. I have asked more detailed questions about the inclusions (ie: whether they are black or white, how eye-clean or not they are, etc.) and will hear back from him tomorrow.

In the event that he says that the inclusions do not detract significantly from the overall beauty of the stone, my question is should I consider these I1''s in order to get into my ideal cttw? What other questions should I ask before I decide? This dealer also has a lifetime tradeup policy (and a generous return policy), so I could tradeup in quality over time.

I''ve read a lot of past threads on I1''s and I know that it varies greatly from stone to stone. I''m just curious to get some feedback before I make my final decision.

Thank you everyone!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

As I''m sure you know already, clarity is a totally personal preference. Some only want VVS to IF even if it means a small stone, some (like me) prefer VS, others love the value of SI, and others want the size they can get by going with I1. I would never consider it if there wasn''t a full value trade-in policy, because I am sure if I had doubts about something at the beginning, I, for sure, would want to trade eventually.

 

[bem3231]

Hi Diamondseeker...

Yes, there is a full-value trade in policy. I know that if I did end up going that route I would want to trade in eventually, too. Actually, I''ve only been considering vendors with a lifetime full-value tradeup, because regardless of whether I go this route or with a higher grade I know myself well enough to be pretty certain that eventually I''ll want to trade up whatever the case may be!

I agree that clarity is a personal preference. In my e-ring I went with an F VS2, but for earrings I''m willing to compromise more... I''m just trying to figure out *how* much more I''m willing to bend?!...

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I do have a tendency to change my mind, so trade-in policies were made for me!

If I had an F VS2 e-ring, I''d probably go to H color and SI1 on the earrings. But that''s just me! My ring is around a G-H VS1 and my earrings are H VS2.

 

[Kaleigh]

I traded in a pair that I bought pre-PS for a pair that are 3 CTW and are H I1''s. Never thought in a million years I''d go for this clarity, but am here to say they are very clean. They sparkle like crazy, and the cut is excellent. I am thrilled with them. Perfect size and if I want to trade them again, I can. But doubt I''d do that.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Date: 1/16/2008 9:50:10 PM
Author: Kaleigh
I traded in a pair that I bought pre-PS for a pair that are 3 CTW and are H I1''s. Never thought in a million years I''d go for this clarity, but am here to say they are very clean. They sparkle like crazy, and the cut is excellent. I am thrilled with them. Perfect size and if I want to trade them again, I can. But doubt I''d do that.

However, we may want to clarify that this is your second pair...I think your 2 ctw pair is higher color and clarity, right?

 

[Kaleigh]

Date: 1/16/2008 9:54:27 PM
Author: diamondseeker2006

Date: 1/16/2008 9:50:10 PM
Author: Kaleigh
I traded in a pair that I bought pre-PS for a pair that are 3 CTW and are H I1''s. Never thought in a million years I''d go for this clarity, but am here to say they are very clean. They sparkle like crazy, and the cut is excellent. I am thrilled with them. Perfect size and if I want to trade them again, I can. But doubt I''d do that.

However, we may want to clarify that this is your second pair...I think your 2 ctw pair is higher color and clarity, right?

Man do you have a good memory or what. Yes and yes.

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

I have a pair of AGS0 (Ideal)/H & A/Branded, H & I color and I1 clarity, 2.09ctw earrings (gawd what a mouthful!

). They are remarkably clean and are stunning. Matched the stones from two seperate vendors here on PS. Absolutely no regrets. For what it''s worth, my ER center stone is an H VS1 and my eternity ring stones are G VVS1.

cheers--Sharon

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Date: 1/16/2008 9:57:47 PM
Author: Kaleigh

Date: 1/16/2008 9:54:27 PM
Author: diamondseeker2006

Date: 1/16/2008 9:50:10 PM
Author: Kaleigh
I traded in a pair that I bought pre-PS for a pair that are 3 CTW and are H I1''s. Never thought in a million years I''d go for this clarity, but am here to say they are very clean. They sparkle like crazy, and the cut is excellent. I am thrilled with them. Perfect size and if I want to trade them again, I can. But doubt I''d do that.

However, we may want to clarify that this is your second pair...I think your 2 ctw pair is higher color and clarity, right?

Man do you have a good memory or what. Yes and yes.

Lol! Half the time I call my kids the wrong names, but for some reason I can remember diamonds.

 

[iheartscience]

If they look good and face up relatively clean and white I would totally go for it. To me that means that there are no super glaringly obvious inclusions, and there are probably white/feather inclusions instead of black/carbon inclusions, unless the black inclusions could be covered with a prong. And because you''re going with a vendor with a lifetime upgrade policy, I don''t think you have anything to lose, really!

 

[belle]

if the stones are very well cut......heck yes! as long as the inclusions aren''t significant enough to effect the sparkle there is no doubt. unless you *need* them to be ''mind clean'' (it doesn''t seem like you do if you are even considering them!) then go for it. no one should be *that* close to your ears to see inclusions anyway!

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 1/16/2008 11:20:32 PM
Author: belle
if the stones are very well cut......heck yes! as long as the inclusions aren''t significant enough to effect the sparkle there is no doubt. unless you *need* them to be ''mind clean'' (it doesn''t seem like you do if you are even considering them!) then go for it. no one should be *that* close to your ears to see inclusions anyway!

Ditto and thritto that, I would in a heartbeat ( and am a very happy I1 owner anyway!)

 

[Rhea]

Yes, I''d do it. If the cut is good and the inclusions aren''t that obvious then why not. No one is going to inspect your ears that closely and it gets you to your ideal size in a snap.

 

[bem3231]

All of these replies are very helpful - thanks everyone! It''s great to hear that some of you have had positive I1 experiences!!

 

[Jenn5504]

I would in a heartbeat if the cut was awesome!

 

[WinkHPD]

Date: 1/16/2008 9:59:12 PM
Author: canuk-gal
HI:

I have a pair of AGS0 (Ideal)/H & A/Branded, H & I color and I1 clarity, 2.09ctw earrings (gawd what a mouthful!

). They are remarkably clean and are stunning. Matched the stones from two seperate vendors here on PS. Absolutely no regrets. For what it''s worth, my ER center stone is an H VS1 and my eternity ring stones are G VVS1.

cheers--Sharon

LOL! I think I remember one of those mouthful stones...

Many I1''s are totally eye clean from the top, and many are eye clean to casual observation with the inclusions visible only to VERY intense observation, much too intense for anyone not VERY well liked by you to be that close.

Other I1''s have inclusions visible accross the street. It is a MUST SEE kind of decision, but well worthy of consideration!

Wink

 

[canuk-gal]

Date: 1/17/2008 1:07:52 PM
Author: Wink

Date: 1/16/2008 9:59:12 PM
Author: canuk-gal
HI:

I have a pair of AGS0 (Ideal)/H & A/Branded, H & I color and I1 clarity, 2.09ctw earrings (gawd what a mouthful!

). They are remarkably clean and are stunning. Matched the stones from two seperate vendors here on PS. Absolutely no regrets. For what it''s worth, my ER center stone is an H VS1 and my eternity ring stones are G VVS1.

cheers--Sharon

LOL! I think I remember one of those mouthful stones...
Wink

HI:

Yes Wink! I love it still, and so does everyone else who see''s them. You were a great help when buying these earrings!!!!!

cheers--Sharon

 

[bem3231]

I really appreciate everyone''s feedback. I just heard back from the vendor - no black inclusions. The ''worse'' of the two has a white feather on the side that you can see if you look for it. That''s good news! Still thinking...

 

[kcoursolle]

I''d definitely consider it, but on a case by case basis!! No big black inclusions, but a big feather by the girdle would be okay in earrings.

 

[strmrdr]

Date: 1/16/2008 10:24:47 PM
Author: thing2of2
If they look good and face up relatively clean and white I would totally go for it. To me that means that there are no super glaringly obvious inclusions, and there are probably white/feather inclusions instead of black/carbon inclusions, unless the black inclusions could be covered with a prong. And because you''re going with a vendor with a lifetime upgrade policy, I don''t think you have anything to lose, really!

yep

 

[777_LDY]

I also wanted to chime in because I have a pair of 3 ctw G/H I1''s that I adore! I agree that it is a must see before you buy, I''d even say take a look at them under a scope so you know exactly what your getting, but after getting my earrings I never knew I''s could be so beautiful. They are very eye clean, soooo sparkly, and I also have zero regrets (except maybe the settings but that''s a whole different topic!). It''s nice to hear that others have beautiful I stones too! Hope it all works out for you.

 

[BriBee]

I basically agree with what everyone else has said. I''m in the camp that I don''t find it necessary to pay for something you can''t see, so if the I1''s are fairly eye-clean, I''d go for it. Also, since they''re earrings, the closest someone would get to seeing them on your ears might be 2 or 3 feet...? So even if there are visible inclusions from about 6 inches away, I would still consider them since no one will probably be getting that close to the stones when you''re wearing them.

 

[Fly Girl]

Yes, I would absolutely consider those I1s. In that size, I really couldn''t afford not to.

 

[isis~goddess]

i bought some 2 ct I1's last year and I hated them! they were a better than average cut too, but i just couldn't get past those inclusions. i felt like people could see them from a mile away. they probably couldn't, but if i can see them in the mirror, well, that's all i needed to see. i sent them back. i know I1's are a sticky subject, for one, they give you a price break, and they CAN be a good deal depending on the nature and placement of the inlcusion, but i think you just really have to see them first before buying and really be comfortable with it. i think the bigger the stone, closer you should stay to VS.

 

[Lynn B]

Date: 1/17/2008 7:47:30 AM
Author: Addy
Yes, I''d do it. If the cut is good and the inclusions aren''t that obvious then why not. No one is going to inspect your ears that closely and it gets you to your ideal size in a snap.

Exactly.

I would only add that if you see them, and they make YOU happy... then go for it! And ENJOY! I would SOOOOOOOO give them a looksie.

 

[bem3231]

I am *so* grateful for everyone''s comments and for sharing your I1 experiences with me (good and bad!). It''s Jon at GOG who found these for me. His recommendation is to go this route with the knowledge that I can keep upgrading if I like.

I''m waiting for the Sarin reports for them before I make a final decision, but your feedback has helped a lot!

 

[bem3231]

By way of an update, I received the Sarin reports for these today and they look pretty good - 1.3 (ex, ex, ex, vg) and 1.8 (ex, vg, vg, vg). Decisions, decisions... Oh, and they are listed as H/I''s rather than I/J''s.

 

[beaujolais]

Some I1''s are lovely. Some VS2''s have way too many inclusions. I just bought a lovely rb I1 from Jon. If GOG has it, it''s probably a great I1.

 

[bem3231]

That''s great to know, Sonomacounty - do you have any photos of it by chance? Jon''s just great, isn''t he?

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 1/18/2008 11:33:49 PM
Author: bem3231
By way of an update, I received the Sarin reports for these today and they look pretty good - 1.3 (ex, ex, ex, vg) and 1.8 (ex, vg, vg, vg). Decisions, decisions... Oh, and they are listed as H/I''s rather than I/J''s.

Sounds really promising, you must be getting so excited!!!