win diamond earringsfancy colored diamonds colored diamondsfancy colored diamonds yellow diamond jewelryfancy colored diamonds loose pink diamondsfancy colored diamonds engagement rings fancy colored diamonds fancy colored diamonds fancy colored diamonds loose diamonds fancy colored diamonds diamond movies
Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.
Did you miss your activation email?
May 23, 2012, 03:54:54 PM
Home Help Search Calendar recent diamond posts recent posts unread posts Login Register

News: DBL  opens brand new colored diamond website!  Now, you can search through millions of dollars of incredible Natural Fancy  Colored and Colorless diamonds with facilities found nowhere else! Search diamond  rings, and loose  diamonds by color, Intensity of yellow, carat weight, price, and diamond  shape. SEE FORUM RULES and our PRIVACY POLICY. DiamondsbyLauren photobucket  page . DiamondsbyLauren Youtube  Channel
 
 
Our Toll Free Number 1-877-952-8736. International callers 001-212-382-3770.

+  coloreddiamond.info
|-+  DIAMOND & GEMSTONE INFORMATION
| |-+  GIA Reports, Diamond Color Grading, Cut Questions
| | |-+  How do we select nice I1 Diamonds		 « previous next »
Pages: [1] 2 Go Down Print
Author Topic: How do we select nice I1 Diamonds  (Read 6402 times)
Diamondsbylauren
Administrator
Hero Member
*****
Offline Offline

Posts: 8069



WWW
« on: February 25, 2010, 10:07:01 PM »
Below are 8 candidates.
Since I love cushions and emerald cuts, that what I selected for this experiment.
I spent an hour this afternoon looking through hundreds of parcel papers. Each one contained an I1 diamond.
I was looking for stones that exhibited a noticeable pleasant personality.
And ones where the imperfection was less obvious

As in so many other diamond grading related things, there are no absolutes.
For example- black carbon is bad, right? Yes, some black carbon stands out lie a sore thumb.
Of course, unless it doesn't.
A few of these stones have "soft" black carbon spots tucked away were they are hard to spot.
"White imperfection is less noticeable"- again the same holds true.
There are white feathers that are totally innocuous- hard to see even with a loupe at times.
But other white imperfections stand out like flags.


it's an interesting assortment with colors ranging from D to M in sizes from .90 to 1.54cts

* i1_comparison.jpg (102.29 KB, 545x1600 - viewed 126 times.)
Logged
David
Check out our YouTube Channel
Trinkette
Hero Member
*****
Offline Offline

Posts: 7211
« Reply #1 on: February 25, 2010, 10:26:40 PM »
More pics, please.  Kiss
Logged
clgwli
Administrator
Hero Member
*****
Online Online

Posts: 3190
« Reply #2 on: February 26, 2010, 09:00:44 AM »
I cannot wait to see more pictures.  I have a larger SI2 carbon spot that I don't notice unless in the right lighting and at the right angle.  So I know for sure that some carbons aren't so bad if they are in the "right place".  I do have some meele that is I1 as well and again if tucked in the right place I don't notice unless I am looking very closely for them.

So I am so excited to see more about this. 
Logged
Elaine aka Squiggly
elaine@diamondsbylauren.com
Sparkly-OCD
Hero Member
*****
Offline Offline

Posts: 941
« Reply #3 on: February 26, 2010, 11:36:09 AM »
I personally endorse David's selection of I1 diamonds.  I have purchased two; Tweety  tweety and my new Y-B  radiant .  Both diamonds are eye clean, without a hint of an I1 type inclusion, and sparkle like crazy.  I'm hoping that one day pray , David will find an I1 pink-brown that I can afford, because I know that it will meet his strict criteria and be gorgeous. 
Logged
Let us so live that when we come to die even the undertaker will be sorry.  -Mark Twain
saqsay1
Hero Member
*****
Offline Offline

Posts: 3309
« Reply #4 on: February 26, 2010, 01:30:19 PM »
i just recently traded in my 2.09 y-z radiant that was an i1 and it was very hard to spot the flaw. it definately changed my opinion about I1's
Logged
"If the US government were placed in control of the Sahara Desert, it would run out of sand in 25 years."
ebedner
Full Member
***
Offline Offline

Posts: 127
« Reply #5 on: February 26, 2010, 02:06:48 PM »
I would love to see more photos too.  I love that third one from the top.  But then again it looks like a Daussi Cushion so of course I would!  Smiley
Logged
My very own DBL piece is coming soon! 4/18/10 Can't get here soon enough!!  Cheesy
shiba
Sr. Member
****
Offline Offline

Posts: 375
« Reply #6 on: February 26, 2010, 08:47:17 PM »
Yup, more pics please!  I have no problem with an I if the inclusions are not visible, or are feathers that are difficult to find.  Actually, it makes my dreams come into the realm of possibility.

saqsay1, which one was yours? 
Logged
saqsay1
Hero Member
*****
Offline Offline

Posts: 3309
« Reply #7 on: February 27, 2010, 09:37:18 AM »
hi shiba. david said my 2.09 yz I1 is back up on the site but i haven't seen it yet.its a radiant. very pretty but i wanted a true FY, so i got one...........
Logged
"If the US government were placed in control of the Sahara Desert, it would run out of sand in 25 years."
annie1
Administrator
Hero Member
*****
Offline Offline

Posts: 3935
« Reply #8 on: February 27, 2010, 10:12:58 AM »
I love David's I1 diamonds.  I'm quite thrifty (my husband would say cheap  Wink ) by nature, and these lower clarity stones almost always seem like great deals.

The cushion in my ER is an SI2, and I haven't seen the inclusions in quite some time.  It's been awhile because I haven't looked for them with a loupe, at just the right angle, in the noon sun, facing east, with a badger on my head, while standing on one foot, and singing Mary Had a Little Lamb, and that's pretty much what it takes to find them now that the stone is set.   Grin
Logged
duckie  Annie  duckie
DBL Technical assistant, CDI Moderator
Check out DBL's new items!
ah2bqat
Hero Member
*****
Offline Offline

Posts: 3060
« Reply #9 on: February 27, 2010, 11:52:46 AM »
ME, too, Annie!  David helped me save on cost and maxed on sparkle for the little RBs in Mum's ring - the first thing we did together.  I've never been happier with any 'white' diamond, and I was afraid of lower clarity stones. gimi David's convinced me - he and Sam can pick I1's for me all day!
Logged
Auntie Dammit Heart DBL!
shiba
Sr. Member
****
Offline Offline

Posts: 375
« Reply #10 on: February 27, 2010, 12:54:30 PM »
saqsay1 - hopefully it will be up soon.  Would love to see it.
Logged
Diamondsbylauren
Administrator
Hero Member
*****
Offline Offline

Posts: 8069



WWW
« Reply #11 on: February 28, 2010, 06:54:26 PM »
HI everyone!
Sorry for the slow reply- we've been under some snow here....heheh


AAAnyway- let's start with a stone that is in the category of a black carbon garden that is planted pretty much dead center.
You can see it pretty clearly in this photo


Another aspect that the photo depicts is how your eye focuses on the actual mirror like flashed that make up the sparkle. It's actually difficult to focus on the black carbon.
This is true when louping the diamond- as well as viewing it at 12 inches and arm's length

Let's have a look at the stats:
ITEM #: R3266
Cushion Cut Diamond, Loose

  WEIGHT: 1.29ct
  SHAPE: Cushion Cut
  COLOR: G
  CLARITY: I1
  MEASUREMENTS: 6.94 x 6.11 x 3.78 mm
  TOTAL DEPTH: 61.9%
  TABLE SIZE: 61%
  POLISH: VG
  SYMMETRY: G
  FLUORESCENCE: NONE

Price: $4495

I love this look- its a "matchbook" l x w  A dazzling cushion
Another great aspect of this cut is the depth- which results in a stone that looks as large as many 1.50ct stones.



When we consider the huge difference in price compared to an SI2- I1's that look good make great sense to me.....

BTW- if we are labeling the "line up" photo with number one at the bottom, and number 8 on top, this stone is number 2
Logged
David
Check out our YouTube Channel
Diamondsbylauren
Administrator
Hero Member
*****
Offline Offline

Posts: 8069



WWW
« Reply #12 on: February 28, 2010, 07:58:17 PM »
Here's the heart shape, #5 on the photo.
Again, here the cut is awesome- a fine example of a heart shape, in terms of cut.
Great definition, and a very tailored outline and model.

The imperfection here consists of dispersed black spots- and a white imperfection ever so cleverly positioned right in the cleavage
Put it all together, it's an I1- but each f the components of the imperfections comprising the grade are each not visible with the naked eye.


ITEM #: R3269
Heart Shape Diamond, Loose

  WEIGHT: 0.90ct
  SHAPE: Heart Shape
  COLOR: E
  CLARITY: I1
  MEASUREMENTS: 5.84 x 6.42 x 3.85 mm
  TOTAL DEPTH: 60.0%
  TABLE SIZE: 59%
  POLISH: G
  SYMMETRY: G
  FLUORESCENCE: NONE

Price: $2695

* r3269a.jpg (64.75 KB, 600x550 - viewed 94 times.)

* r3269b.jpg (41.45 KB, 600x400 - viewed 90 times.)

* r3269c.jpg (71.51 KB, 600x592 - viewed 95 times.)
Logged
David
Check out our YouTube Channel
Diamondsbylauren
Administrator
Hero Member
*****
Offline Offline

Posts: 8069



WWW
« Reply #13 on: February 28, 2010, 08:08:14 PM »
Hers's 1.56 Emerald Cut number 3 on the it parade
ITEM #: R3268
Emerald Cut Diamond, Loose

  WEIGHT: 1.56ct
  SHAPE: Emerald Cut
  COLOR: F
  CLARITY: I1
  MEASUREMENTS: 7.44 x 5.56 x 4.17 mm
  TOTAL DEPTH: 75.0%
  TABLE SIZE: 68%
  POLISH: VG
  SYMMETRY: VG
  FLUORESCENCE: NONE

Price: $6995

Here's a case where the photos show an aspect to this I1 - which is also possible in other I1 diamonds.
That being: In bright lighting- or direct sunlight, the spot is visible.
In "normal" or room lighting or indirect it's not easy to see.
The cut is very nice for personality
It manages to have a good size for it's weight despite a relatively high depth of 75%
I don't "disqualify"  stone simply due to a number like that.....yet I'm still not sure if we'll keep[ this one....

* r3268a.jpg (73.95 KB, 600x652 - viewed 81 times.)

* r3268b.jpg (65.84 KB, 600x639 - viewed 89 times.)
Logged
David
Check out our YouTube Channel
Diamondluvr
Hero Member
*****
Offline Offline

Posts: 3139
« Reply #14 on: March 01, 2010, 08:09:55 AM »
All 3 are lovely for I1's!  For some reason I am really drawn to the heart shape, my grandma has worn one as a pendant for years and have always loved how it looked.
Logged
She has spent her life best... who has enjoyed it most.
saqsay1
Hero Member
*****
Offline Offline

Posts: 3309
« Reply #15 on: March 01, 2010, 11:53:29 AM »
i like the sweet shape of the heart, as long as the inclusions aren't to obvious, it could be a keeper.
the EC, the spot doesn't bother me, but are those dark areas because of the depth? if so that could be a problem IMHO. otherwise, i am a huge sucker for a nice EC................
Logged
"If the US government were placed in control of the Sahara Desert, it would run out of sand in 25 years."
webmistress
Admin
CDI Member
Hero Member
*****
Offline Offline

Posts: 4561



WWW
« Reply #16 on: March 01, 2010, 12:54:28 PM »
I can tell you that when I've seen diamonds like these in person, the imperfections are just lost in the sparkle. I remember opening the paper to the booger diamond. i did not recognize her because I couldn't see the booger.
Logged
Webmistress for http://diamondsbylauren.com
DBL Web Designer, CDI Administrator

  Dare to be different. See colored diamond rings.
Diamondsbylauren
Administrator
Hero Member
*****
Offline Offline

Posts: 8069



WWW
« Reply #17 on: March 01, 2010, 03:02:00 PM »
Many more photos, as well as video coming up later today....
Logged
David
Check out our YouTube Channel
sherylsbuys
Sr. Member
****
Offline Offline

Posts: 349
« Reply #18 on: March 01, 2010, 04:38:25 PM »
Although I am a big fan of I1 stones, I'm not sure that I would keep the Emerald cut I1 stone.  To me, it looks like the black inclusion is more noticeable since it's near the center of the stone.  But that's under magnification,  it might be different with the unaided eye.
Logged
Diamondsbylauren
Administrator
Hero Member
*****
Offline Offline

Posts: 8069



WWW
« Reply #19 on: March 01, 2010, 04:43:13 PM »
I'm also not sure about that one....I did get some more photos and a video of it today.....
Logged
David
Check out our YouTube Channel
Trinkette
Hero Member
*****
Offline Offline

Posts: 7211
« Reply #20 on: March 01, 2010, 05:07:41 PM »
I don't know about this diamond in particular, however, for me, emerald cuts and Asschers need to be REALLY clean so that I'm not distracted by any goobers. I am much less forgiving of the poor step cuts. Not fair really...  Undecided
Logged
Mikla
Hero Member
*****
Offline Offline

Posts: 2588
« Reply #21 on: March 01, 2010, 06:54:15 PM »
I totally agree, T.  Step cuts should have better clarities for me, too.  But the brilliant cut ones are much more forgiving.

Mikla
Logged
Diamonds make me jump for joy! bliss

My Gallery Images
Diamondsbylauren
Administrator
Hero Member
*****
Offline Offline

Posts: 8069



WWW
« Reply #22 on: March 01, 2010, 07:41:55 PM »
Here's one I know I like...incredibly bright- and easily looks well over a carat based on it's dimensions


ITEM #: R3265
Cushion Cut Diamond, Loose

  WEIGHT: 0.91ct
  SHAPE: Cushion Cut
  COLOR: F
  CLARITY: I1
  MEASUREMENTS: 6.15 x 5.83 x 3.19 mm
  TOTAL DEPTH: 54.7%
  TABLE SIZE: 64%
  POLISH: VG
  SYMMETRY: G
  FLUORESCENCE: NONE

Price: $2895

The deal here with imperfections is that we're looking at dispersed white imperfections-you can point them out in the photos. In real life not so easy- it's a dazzling stone.
Logged
David
Check out our YouTube Channel
annie1
Administrator
Hero Member
*****
Offline Offline

Posts: 3935
« Reply #23 on: March 01, 2010, 10:33:49 PM »
I think that last cushion is a keeper!  It's a popular size, and the inclusions aren't that bothersome.
Logged
duckie  Annie  duckie
DBL Technical assistant, CDI Moderator
Check out DBL's new items!
clgwli
Administrator
Hero Member
*****
Online Online

Posts: 3190
« Reply #24 on: March 02, 2010, 08:59:18 AM »
I could easily do the last diamond you have there.  It looks fabulous for an I1

The one stone I know I could not do at all is the emerald cut.  I need those to be VS1 or above.  There usually isn't enough in them to "hide" flaws.  Now I have seen one that was okay to me, but it was hidden in a corner.
Logged
Elaine aka Squiggly
elaine@diamondsbylauren.com
Pages: [1] 2 Go Up Print 
« previous next »
Jump to:  

Powered by SMF 1.1.16 | SMF © 2011, Simple Machines Subscribe to RSS Feed http://coloreddiamond.info/images/rss-icon.jpg