Included1 (I1) Diamonds Are A Great Option
When looking for a diamond for that perfect ring, any shopper is going to want to be able to get the best possible deal. They are going to shop around at various dealers looking for current sales and clearances. Another option is to look for a diamond of a slightly lower clarity grade in order to get the best deal on a diamond.
Before moving forward, here is some clarification on a couple of the clarity grades that the GIA utilizes for diamonds.
- Slightly Included- This grade has two different levels; SI1 and SI2. The diamonds given one of these grades is going to have noticeable inclusions to a trained eye under 10x magnification. These inclusions can affect the transparency and brilliance of the stone.
- Included- This grade has three different levels to it; I1, I2, and I3. Diamonds that are given one of these grades are going to have inclusions that will be obvious under 10x magnification. These inclusions are going to affect the brilliance and transparency of the stones.
Is It Possible To Find An Eye Clean I1 Diamond?
The VS2, SI1, and SI2 diamonds are going to be the best options for a shopper. This is due to the fact that there is a high risk in that an I1 diamond is not going to be eye clean, but that doesn’t mean that they don’t exist at all. An I1 diamond is going to be a great value for your money, but it will take some searching.
An I1 grade is the final clarity grade where a shopper will be able to find eye clean diamonds. It is not going to be something that you are going to find right away, but you can do it. You are not going to want to go below this grade because I2 and I3 diamonds are at no time going to be eye clean. The I2 and I3 clarity grade diamonds should be avoided at all costs.
Diamond Clarity
Let’s talk about diamond clarity for a minute. In order to be able to find the right diamond for purchase, you need to have a healthy understanding of diamond clarity and how it is graded. The VS2 diamonds are the cream of the crop and that is where we will start our explanations.
VS2 diamonds are almost always eye clean. There are some VS2s that are going to have some inclusions, but they are going to be few and far between. There are going to be those few who are going to be on the cusp and they are going to have other characteristics that will make them VS2 graded.
SI1 and SI2 diamonds are the ones that may be eye clean and maybe not. They are going to be a great option for the price that you will be able to find them at. SI1s are going to be slightly better quality than the SI2s, but they are very close.
These slight variations between the grades are why it is so important to look at the diamond before you buy it. There are a few online sellers who will be able to offer you the opportunity to view the diamond before purchase. Take your time to find one of these because a diamond is not one of those things that you don’t want to buy sight unseen.
It is because of these slight differences that you will be able to find an I1 diamond that is eye clean. It will just require a little bit of looking and shopping around.
What To Look For In An I1 Diamond
Like with any grade, there are going to be the bottom and the top of the grade. The bottom of the I1 barrel is going to be diamonds that have dark crystal inclusions that will be visible to the naked eye. They are also going to have a look to them that is considered “overall dirty.” They may have dark crystal inclusions in combinations with this dirty look, or they may have one or the other characteristics.
The I1 diamonds that you are going to want to look out for are going to have:
- The inclusions that it has are going to be whitish in color or they are going to be close to the color of the stone itself.
- It will possibly also have twinning wisps or feathers. As long as they are not prominent when viewing the stone, this is acceptable.
In Conclusion
An I1 diamond is going to be a great option when you are looking to get a great diamond on a budget. Everyone wants an eye clean diamond and when looking for an eye clean I1, it will take some time and research. The best thing that you can do is to find the right dealer.
You are going to want to find one that is going to allow you to view the diamond under magnification. This will allow you to view the diamond in a way that is important so that you can fully understand what you would be getting for your money. You also want to find someone that is going to answer any and all questions that you may have. Take your time and be patient so that you can find as close to eye clean as possible. Happy shopping!