Realistic variations

[Talk Sense Please]

I did a search with the following criteria

Shape Round
Carat 1 to 1.1
Color G to H
Clarity SI1-SI3

and it is about $2000 on average of a jump between SI1-SI2 G to H. Unless I don't know her better, my girlfriend is not the type to get a magnifying glass and critically examine the diamond ring. So if I get a diamond on the cheaper end, is it going to be noticeable to the naked eye at these levels? Expert opinions sought please.

Ben

[Yosef]

Hi Ben,

Prices range a lot in the qualities you provided because they are very different. The difference between SI1/SI2 or SI2/SI3 are huge, compared to say VVS1 and VVS2. Also SI3 does not exist for GIA or AGS diamonds, so you're probably looking at EGL diamonds, which also carry a discount.

EGL diamonds are not "worthless" but they are gamed by some less-then-honest diamond sellers who will resubmit stones hoping to get a better grade. Unfortunately they destroy EGL's reputation for the honest sellers. EGL-USA is much better then any of the EGL-International labs. So if you're pricing out a 1 carat EGL-International SI3 vs a GIA SI1, the price difference will be huge. That's because the EGL-Int'l one is most likely an I1 clarity, and the GIA is most likely graded strictly as a SI1.

If you're looking for an "eye clean" diamond you will most likely be disappointed with a poor SI3. That's not to say all SI3's are bad, it's just that chances are it will have an eye-visible inclusion.

[Mervyn L. Cohn ASA]

I did a search with the following criteria

Shape Round
Carat 1 to 1.1
Color G to H
Clarity SI1-SI3

and it is about $2000 on average of a jump between SI1-SI2 G to H. Unless I don't know her better, my girlfriend is not the type to get a magnifying glass and critically examine the diamond ring. So if I get a diamond on the cheaper end, is it going to be noticeable to the naked eye at these levels? Expert opinions sought please.

Ben

So far you have it right, BUT you need to choose a well cut stone to have it really give a high Brilliance and Sparkle. You can do this by checking its eCS, The closer the eCS is to 1.000 the closer the diammond will be cut to the IDEAL PROPORTIONS. you can check this at the e-praise FREE calculator. To find a high quality stone in the price range you speak of you had better change your sights or find more money