Which Diamond? Inclusions, inclusions, inclusions!

[dashingblue]

Hi all!

This is my very first post. I''m looking for an e-ring to propose to my girlfriend and after much research on the Internet it looks like PriceScope is the place to be!

I''ve narrowed down my search criteria (G SI1 ~1ct) and I''m considering some of Whiteflash''s ACA diamonds. However, I''m confused about what inclusions are ok and which to avoid when looking at SI1 clarity. It would be great if I could get some advice on what the pros and cons are for the stones I''ve listed below. They are all G SI1 and have a variety of inclusions and distribution of inclusions. I''ve included some of my (newbie) observations. I''m guessing most of these inclusions become unnoticeable in normal non-dark field lighting without any magnification - but are there any that don''t or have other undesirable effects? I don''t mind if the inclusions are visible under a loupe but I''d like something ''eye-clean''. Which would you go for?

Carat 1.007
Depth % 61.4
Table % 56.8
Crown Angle 34.6
Star 53
Pavilion Angle 40.7
Measurements 6.42x6.45x3.95
Girdle Thin to Medium Faceted
HCA 1.1
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2192331.htm

My notes: Lots of clouds and inclusions on the outer part of the stone, visible crystal inclusions on ASET and IS. Lots of visible specks on the 40x photo.

---

Carat 1.023
Depth % 61.5
Table % 56.6
Crown Angle 34.7
Star 55
Pavilion Angle 40.7
Measurements 6.45x6.49x3.98
Girdle Thin to Medium Faceted
HCA 1.1
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2192298.htm

My notes: Inclusion in the middle - appears as white on the IS - light leakage? Hard to read inclusions on cert. 40x image looks clean. The hearts looks uneven in the H&A photo.

---

Carat 1.024
Depth % 61.2
Table % 55
Crown Angle 34.6
Star 53
Pavilion Angle 40.7
Measurements 6.51x6.52x3.99
Girdle Thin Faceted
HCA 1.0
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2219614.htm

My notes: Inclusion in the middle (less visible in ASET and IS than the next stone below), lots of inclusions (visible in 40x photo). IS appears to be less bright compared to next stone below?

---

Carat 1.035
Depth % 60.9
Table % 55.7
Crown Angle 34.7
Star 53
Pavilion Angle 40.7
Measurements 6.55x6.57x3.99
Girdle Thin to Medium Faceted
HCA 1.0
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2275610.htm

My notes: Big inclusion in middle hiding in darkened facet in centre on 40x photo. Will this be visible even with normal lighting?

---

Carat 1.052
Depth % 61.9
Table % 56.5
Crown Angle 34.7
Star 55
Pavilion Angle 40.9
Measurements 6.50x6.54x4.03
Girdle Thin to Medium Faceted
HCA 1.8
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2275608.htm

My notes: Twinning Wisp - how bad an inclusion are these? Will they affect the diamond''s structural integrity? Visible in 40x photo.

---

Carat 1.04
Depth % 61.4
Table % 55.6
Crown Angle 34.8
Star 54
Pavilion Angle 40.7
Measurements 6.51x6.53x4.00
Girdle Thin to Medium Faceted
HCA 1.1
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2270374.htm

My notes: 2 large bubble like inclusions - visible in 40x photo and on ASET. One of them not shown on cert?

---

Thanks!

p.s. what does the Star measurement on the Whiteflash website refer to? Is it related to the Star facet?

 

[Stone-cold11]

yap, star number is referring to the star facet size.

As for eye-clean and structural integrity of inclusions to the stone, you will have to ask WF on it, no way to judge that just by images and plots.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 4/16/2010 12:05:43 PM
Author:dashingblue

Hi all!

This is my very first post. I'm looking for an e-ring to propose to my girlfriend and after much research on the Internet it looks like PriceScope is the place to be!

I've narrowed down my search criteria (G SI1 ~1ct) and I'm considering some of Whiteflash's ACA diamonds. However, I'm confused about what inclusions are ok and which to avoid when looking at SI1 clarity. It would be great if I could get some advice on what the pros and cons are for the stones I've listed below. They are all G SI1 and have a variety of inclusions and distribution of inclusions. I've included some of my (newbie) observations. I'm guessing most of these inclusions become unnoticeable in normal non-dark field lighting without any magnification - but are there any that don't or have other undesirable effects? I don't mind if the inclusions are visible under a loupe but I'd like something 'eye-clean'. Which would you go for?

Carat 1.007
Depth % 61.4
Table % 56.8
Crown Angle 34.6
Star 53
Pavilion Angle 40.7
Measurements 6.42x6.45x3.95
Girdle Thin to Medium Faceted
HCA 1.1
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2192331.htm

My notes: Lots of clouds and inclusions on the outer part of the stone, visible crystal inclusions on ASET and IS. Lots of visible specks on the 40x photo.

---

Carat 1.023
Depth % 61.5
Table % 56.6
Crown Angle 34.7
Star 55
Pavilion Angle 40.7
Measurements 6.45x6.49x3.98
Girdle Thin to Medium Faceted
HCA 1.1
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2192298.htm

My notes: Inclusion in the middle - appears as white on the IS - light leakage? Hard to read inclusions on cert. 40x image looks clean. The hearts looks uneven in the H&A photo.

---

Carat 1.024
Depth % 61.2
Table % 55
Crown Angle 34.6
Star 53
Pavilion Angle 40.7
Measurements 6.51x6.52x3.99
Girdle Thin Faceted
HCA 1.0
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2219614.htm

My notes: Inclusion in the middle (less visible in ASET and IS than the next stone below), lots of inclusions (visible in 40x photo). IS appears to be less bright compared to next stone below?

---

Carat 1.035
Depth % 60.9
Table % 55.7
Crown Angle 34.7
Star 53
Pavilion Angle 40.7
Measurements 6.55x6.57x3.99
Girdle Thin to Medium Faceted
HCA 1.0
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2275610.htm

My notes: Big inclusion in middle hiding in darkened facet in centre on 40x photo. Will this be visible even with normal lighting?

---

Carat 1.052
Depth % 61.9
Table % 56.5
Crown Angle 34.7
Star 55
Pavilion Angle 40.9
Measurements 6.50x6.54x4.03
Girdle Thin to Medium Faceted
HCA 1.8
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2275608.htm

My notes: Twinning Wisp - how bad an inclusion are these? Will they affect the diamond's structural integrity? Visible in 40x photo.

---

Carat 1.04
Depth % 61.4
Table % 55.6
Crown Angle 34.8
Star 54
Pavilion Angle 40.7
Measurements 6.51x6.53x4.00
Girdle Thin to Medium Faceted
HCA 1.1
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut-loose-diamond-2270374.htm

My notes: 2 large bubble like inclusions - visible in 40x photo and on ASET. One of them not shown on cert?

---

Thanks!

p.s. what does the Star measurement on the Whiteflash website refer to? Is it related to the Star facet?

Hi Blue and welcome!

Regarding inclusions - with a trusted vendor such as WF, especially with their signature brand ACA, you should not find any SI inclusions are going to pose a problem either for durability or beauty. With stones which are an unknown quantity such as those on the virtual listing, sometimes grade setting clouds in SI clarity grades can negatively affect performance so it is always best to check with an expert in these cases. With a WF diamond or diamond from any of the trusted vendors just voice your concerns to them and they will be pleased to address them.

Twinning wisps - will not normally pose any kind of durability issue but again check with WF to be certain.

The stars at the top of the WF pages normally denote their in house grading structure, only ACA brand get 5 stars.

There is no reliable way to judge whether any of the diamonds are in fact eyeclean so it would be best to contact WF and ask one of their experts to evaluate each diamond and discuss them with you to ascertain suitability.

 

[dashingblue]

Thanks for your replies! I''ll get in touch with Whiteflash.

 

[researcher]

Keep in mind the definition of "eye clean". I think it''s from 10-12 inches away. So, when you speak to WF ask them if they can easily see the inclusions with the naked eye, from a close distance. Also, ask whether your setting will hide them. When my stone was loose I could usually find the visible inclusion if I really searched for it up close, but now that it''s set it''s completely hidden. I trust WF 100%!

 

[Collee]

I totally agree with asking and trusting WF about the eye-clean inclusion evaluation. I purchased a D SI2 from GOG. I was initially intimidated by the SI2 grading but Jon and the independent appraiser assured me that although there were inclusions, the stone was eye-clean. I opted to not look at the magnified views as I did not want to focus on the inclusions and their placements. Stone is now set and I cannot see (regardless of lighting conditions) ANY inclusions.

The SI gradings (as long as the stone is eye-clean) is a GREAT bang for the buck.