It's very difficult to answer your questions - it's a matter of degree as in many things, and what is "acceptable" for you (you did buy the stone, at the end of the day) it may not be for others. In general, colour trumps everything - including clarity - in coloured diamonds, but a Fancy Dark stone is not very desirable, particularly when it's a mixture of colours such as yours, resulting in what I guess is an olive green colour which is rather dark.

The question is whether it is a nice looking, lively stone or it ends up being relatively dark and lifeless. I don't know - you do, and seem to be liking it. Your judgement beats mine or that of anybody else who has not seen the stone.

As to "Investment value" - I'd forget about that angle with diamonds at all; if you really are determined to put some money in fancy colour diamonds, pick pure colours or very rare ones (blue, green, red, pink, purple).

And by the way - welcome to CDI!

Hi ANF, thanks for joining us! Do you have photos of your new diamond beauty?

If I put it all together, I'm guessing your GIA description is something like Fancy Dark Grayish Yellowish Green? The color you describe sounds like dark olive. Interestingly, I understand there is debate by some gem experts about GIA not using "olive" as a legitimate color descriptor. Like brown, olive is a blended color made from several colors. The argument is: if GIA recognizes brown and other complex colors, why not olive? In fact, some colored diamond aficionados would love to have GIA use olive as a legitimate color on its own. Still, I am fairly certain that GIA does not recognize olive as a color in its grading system, hence, the official color description for these types of diamonds is made of several colors or color modifiers.  

I agree with OMC; if you are looking for an "investment" diamond, remember that generally the value of a fancy diamond increases with the strength and purity of color. And, the stronger and more rare the color, the more valuable the stone. Very slight differences in color can make huge differences in value.

Remember, when compared to all gemstones, diamonds are not by any means the rarest stones. Although diamonds possess highly-valued characteristics – like durability, dispersion and brilliance – and these characteristics make diamonds fabulous jewelry stones, only the scarce, exceptional diamonds are coveted by collectors.

The good news is, if you find a complex color that you like in a diamond, you can have quite an impressive and beautiful stone for a fraction of the cost of the investment types (if there really is such a thing). I happen to love the off-color brownish yellows and yellowish browns – they appear pleasingly golden to my eye and look better against my skin than many of the more pure and pricey colors. But, they are not for everyone. Will my stones bring big-bucks at auction after I am gone? Probably not. However, I love them anyway.

My guess is that the reason you are writing here is because you see something in your new diamond that makes you unsure about your purchase. If so, don't be afraid to follow your instincts. If you love the diamond without any consideration for value, keep it and enjoy your gemstone for years to come.

However, if something is nagging at you, or, if you plan to sell this diamond and recoup your expenses down the road, you may want to reconsider. Since you mention it, there are eye-clean SI2s and botheringly visible SI2s. GIA-graded diamonds are judged for clarity based on what is physically present at 10X magnification, which does not necessarily jive with what you see without magnification. I am sure you know that different inclusions/blemishes have different visible characteristics. Some are easily seen, some may be near-impossible to detect with the unaided eye. Some impact the overall beauty of the gemstone, others do not. Basically, all SI2s are not created equal. Only you know your tolerance level.

Certainly, there are no hard and fast rules, however, I'd say that in your diamond's size and color class, NO, size does not trump clarity in terms of value. In gemstones, the total sum of the parts is what counts. Junk comes in all sizes. So do true jewels. And then there is everything in-between. Remember, there are a gazillion diamonds to be had in every color of the rainbow, from industrial-grade-quality to museum-quality. Quality, or value, is determined by several factors, some of which you mentioned.

Regardless, your diamond should make your heart sing for what it is, not because someone else, or even an entire industry, perceives it to be of "value."

Forget about the size, forget about what you "know" about diamonds – just look at the diamond as if you were seeing it for the first time. Maybe it is in a museum. Or set into a ring on someone's hand. Now, when you "see" it,  does the stone make you smile inside? Can you tear your eyes from it? Do you think about it later? If you answer, "yes," then you've made the right decision to keep the diamond... lucky you!

Hope this WAAAAY too long post helps!

Wow guys, this is the place I have been looking for!  I think I may be amongst people who love colored diamonds as much as I do .  You have all been VERY helpful.  I have talked to too many diamond dealers who would tell me almost nothing and I have read and read but your help reinforces what I shyly knew.  If I am being honest I was DAZZLED by the three carat size and I love every hue of green, but I already have a one carat of the same size SI1 and a small cloud does bother me in it.  I suspect a bigger cloud may may grow to out weigh my love of the size and color of the stone.  I will include a picture here just so you guys can get a gander - don't spare my feelings! 

I second some of the things that were said above:  the purer the color, the better; if there is a mixture, darker is less desirable (and they don't sparkle as much! - isn't that the point of them, though?)  I have bought some diamonds for investment, but I wear them. 

I'm looking for the cloud in your stone and the only thing I can see that might be a cloud is something to the left of dead center in the diamond, half way between the edge of the table and the girdle.  Is that it?  Also keep in mind that the diamond is super magnified on the screen.  Unless it's a huge cloud, chances are that no one will see it when they glance at it.  OMC was also correct when he stated that clarity is not as big an issue with colored stones.

If you have the stone in your possession, can you take a photograph of it in daylight?  I'd love to see it.

Hey guys, thanks for the all the feedback and especially the welcome!  I have looked for people to help me sort out colored diamonds for about a year!  I am really glad to have found you  .  I can't take a pic in daylight because I don't get good focus.  Anyway, I made the decision to return the diamond because I have too much uncertainty and you guys helped me realize I ought to choose one that makes me feel delighted beyond a doubt.  I will miss the 3.39 carat size  but, the cloud was pretty hard to miss (dark oval in the center), so it is what it is.

Thanks for the welcome.  I would be happy to see some stones of that color, or orangey colors.  But I have discovered I am in the market for better clarity.