Looking For D-F SI2 Diamond For $20K

How To Evaluate A Good SI2 Diamond

Q:

Hi Liz,

I am looking for a 2.0 – 2.10 carat diamond. I 2.0ct, D color, ideal cut, SI2 diamond for $19K. Is this a good deal? I saw it in a store and it’s beautiful. I’ve been told that this SI2 is eye-clean. Thanks.

Frank

A:

Hello Frank,

Unfortunately, I cannot provide any advice on that diamond. I have no information about it’s cut proportions, symmetry, clarity or what gem lab it was graded by. Additionally, many SI2’s are not eye-clean.

Can you provide more information?

Kind Regards,

Liz

Q:

Hi Liz,

Thank you for the email. The diamond was GIA certified, ideal cut, 2.03, D color, SI2 for $19k. I have seen H and I colored diamonds in person and the yellow tint is obvious to me. I want something D-F color with either SI1 or SI2 for around $20k with 2 carats.

Thanks,

Frank

A:

Frank,

GIA doesn’t have an ideal cut, they have an ‘Excellent’ cut grade.

Please understand that evaluating a diamond is much more involved than simply listing out the basic four C’s (cut grade, color, clarity and carat weight). Diamonds are evaluated and ultimately valued on a multitude of minute criteria.

I cannot say whether your 2.0ct D SI2 round brilliant is a good diamond or not. GIA ‘Excellent’ cut grade has a very large variance of proportion sets that allow for some not-so-great diamonds to enter into the mix. Additionally, many SI2’s are in fact not eye-clean. They may even pose some structural vulnerability leaving the diamond at higher risk of cleaving or chipping. Who knows? I haven’t seen the GIA report and thus cannot see it’s cut proportions or inclusions/blemishes. I haven’t seen a magnified picture to ascertain whether it is eye-clean. I haven’t seen an ASET image to evaluate light performance and overall optical symmetry. All of these factors come into play when properly evaluating a diamond.

Furthermore, the angles and measurements on any diamond grading report are meant to be used as a guide, not the ultimate seal of approval. These numbers are averaged out. For example, the pavilion angle is one of the most critical angles when considering how well a stone reflects light back through the crown. In the lab, the technician measures the entire circumference of the stone and comes up with an average. This average is what is listed on the report, however this doesn’t necessarily mean that the stone is cut symmetrically all the way around (the symmetry on the report does not refer to this. Symmetry is the overall appearance of the stone; for example the concentric positions of the table and culet for a round stone).

I would strongly advise searching for diamonds with actual magnified pictures to assess cut and clarity at a minimum. ASET or ideal-scope images are an added bonus for light performance confirmation. For your diamond requirements and available budget, I found the following two diamonds that would be suitable for you:

2.01ct F SI2 GIA triple Excellent that fits within AGS ideal cut grade proportions from Zoara for $19,451.00: http://www.zoara.com/diamonds/p_round_excellent_cut_f_si2#p=1834421

2.09ct F SI2 GIA triple Excellent that fits within AGS ideal cut grade proportions from Ritani for $18,189.00: http://www.ritani.com/diamonds/round-diamond-2-09-Carat-F-color-GIA-certified/D-D1QPH1

If you don’t mind a few inclusions, then an SI2 clarity grade is a great way to maximize carat weight in a diamond. Here is an example of a gorgeous 2.09ct F SI2 GIA triple Excellent diamond for only $18K. Although technically not eye-clean, the inclusions are well camouflaged within the crisp dark arrows of the diamond. Once again, cut is king and becomes even more critical when considering lower clarity grades.

The first diamond is a GIA triple Excellent diamond that also happens to fall within AGS ideal cut grade proportions. As you can see in the magnified diamond image, the diamond shows excellent optical symmetry (contrasting arrows) and looks relatively eye-clean. The majority of the inclusions are crystal/clouds in the center of the diamond, but these are spread out and appear gray. There are some minute darker inclusions, but these will be very hard to see in real life without magnification. However, I still wouldn’t necessarily say that this diamond is eye-clean.

The second diamond from Ritani is also a a triple Excellent diamond that also falls withing AGS ideal specs. In the HD video you can see some larger crystal inclusions. So, although the inclusions are larger, the diamond appears cleaner in terms of clarity. This diamond has a slightly better cut than the Zoara, and shows excellent optical symmetry. This diamond also has strong blue fluorescence which makes the diamond slightly cheaper as well, though the fluorescence takes nothing away from its beauty and light performance.

The GIA plotting diagram of the Ritani 2.09ct F SI2 shows that the majority of the crystals are under the kite and star facets (not directly under the main table facet), and are camouflaged by the crisp dark arrows for contrast. This is an excellent example of purchasing an ideal cut diamond with an SI2 clarity grade and minimizing the impact of the internal inclusions of the diamond. Note: crystals are enclosed circles and clouds are depicted as dotted circles. It may be difficult to see in the image, but the inclusions plotted under the main table facet are mostly clouds with one small crystal.

Kind Regards,

Liz

Q:

Liz,

Thanks for taking the time to respond. I admit, this is overwhelming and much more involved than I initially thought. Which diamond would you choose?

Thanks once again,

Frank

A:

Hi Frank,

Since you are looking for D-F, 2.0ct + with clarity grade of SI1/2, and a budget of less than $20K, any diamond that falls within this category will in all likelihood not be eye-clean. However, if it were me, I’d choose the 2.09ct F SI2 from Ritani for two reasons. The cut is better and the inclusions (though larger) are mostly under the kite and star facets, so not as noticeable to the unaided eye. The cut grade is ideal, and thus will face up crisp white and offer gorgeous brilliance. A very nice diamond for what you are looking to achieve.

Liz

Q:

Thank you so much Liz! You’ve been so helpful!

Frank