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All About SI2 Clarity Diamonds: Lauren B Diamond Education
Today's Diamond 101 Tutorial is all about SI2 clarity diamonds. This clarity grade is the trickiest of all; while there are opportunities to find great values here, there is also a good chance to end up with an undesirable stone when engagement ring shopping. In general we recommend our clients to consider anything in the VS1 to SI2 range for most diamond shapes and as you get into the SI range(slightly included) it is crucial to have a diamond consultant guide you to the right stone. Watch along with this video and read the text below as we go into detail about this subject
Here is a lineup of three excellent cut diamonds with SI2 clarity grades per the GIA grading system. Let's focus on the two stones on the ends as you need to AVOID at all costs. The one on the left has heavy black crystal inclusions which can easily be seen by the naked eye as shown in the video. These dark spots are hard to miss and distract from the diamond's beauty. On the right side is perhaps an even worse SI2 clarity diamond that is so heavily included with clouds that it lacks transparency and gives off a hazy/milky appearance. You will notice that it lacks brilliance, fire and the overall luster that a diamond is known for. Keep in mind that a diamond having an excellent cut grade does not ensure it will have a great sparkle as evidence her.
Now let's SWIPE left to what we consider an excellent SI2 clarity diamond. Not only is it 100% eye clean with only scattered transparent inclusions throughout, it is also very crisp and has an excellent luster/sprarkle. These are the type of SI2 clarity diamonds that we we keep in our inventory and under no circumstances would we offer a client anything like the first two examples. We carefully inspect each diamond for each aspect of clarity to ensure a top sparkle and no distracting inclusions.
**GIA grading reports will not state if a diamond is eye clean or has a hazy appearance and is something you can only view in a real life visual and with an expert's approval. Keep in mind if you see an SI2 clarity grade diamond priced much lower than other similar options, there is a reason for that and would likely fall in the category of either 'not eye clean' or hazy.
Here is a lineup of three excellent cut diamonds with SI2 clarity grades per the GIA grading system. Let's focus on the two stones on the ends as you need to AVOID at all costs. The one on the left has heavy black crystal inclusions which can easily be seen by the naked eye as shown in the video. These dark spots are hard to miss and distract from the diamond's beauty. On the right side is perhaps an even worse SI2 clarity diamond that is so heavily included with clouds that it lacks transparency and gives off a hazy/milky appearance. You will notice that it lacks brilliance, fire and the overall luster that a diamond is known for. Keep in mind that a diamond having an excellent cut grade does not ensure it will have a great sparkle as evidence her.
Now let's SWIPE left to what we consider an excellent SI2 clarity diamond. Not only is it 100% eye clean with only scattered transparent inclusions throughout, it is also very crisp and has an excellent luster/sprarkle. These are the type of SI2 clarity diamonds that we we keep in our inventory and under no circumstances would we offer a client anything like the first two examples. We carefully inspect each diamond for each aspect of clarity to ensure a top sparkle and no distracting inclusions.
**GIA grading reports will not state if a diamond is eye clean or has a hazy appearance and is something you can only view in a real life visual and with an expert's approval. Keep in mind if you see an SI2 clarity grade diamond priced much lower than other similar options, there is a reason for that and would likely fall in the category of either 'not eye clean' or hazy.
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Virtual Ring Design Consultation
View our exclusive ring designs and loose stone inventory in real time with a Lauren B design consultant!
How It Works:
1
Create an account
Fill out the appointment information, an account will automatically be
created for you.
2
Select a date & time
All times are EST (Eastern Standard Time) and appointment lengths are up
to 45 minutes long.
3
SELECT RING DESIGNS & LOOSE STONES
Once you schedule your appointment, you can pre-select your favorite
designs from our Virtual Appointment Ring Gallery.
4
Email confirmation
Once your appointment is scheduled you will receive an email with
instructions and a weblink to join. We recommend connecting from a computer with a strong internet
connection for optimal viewing.