HI Everyone!
Most readers and participants of this forum have probably seen the chart that shows the clarity scale.
IF VVS1-2 VS1-2 SI1-2 I1-2 P1-2
This all makes it seem very neat and tidy. A VVS1 is better than a VVS2. Period.
Based on that assumption, an I1 is a very very bad diamond.

In fact, it's these very assumptions that drive diamond prices to a large degree.
As far as the market is concerned, all things being equal, a VVS1 is more expensive and a VVS2 by a small percentage. The VS1 is slightly less again- and so on, down the clarity scale.

I'm quite sure that many consumers with a fair amount of diamond knowledge feel that a VS1 is better than an SI1.

Of course all things are generally NOT equal when grading diamonds.

Most agree the Cut of a diamond has a HUGE impact on it's desirability. We're not even going to touch on that here.
Let's speak strictly about clarity.

To show what I'm talking about, the diamond below was graded I1 by GIA


Below I've pointed out the two areas that constitute the I1 grading of this diamond.


There are two specific areas of imperfection.
The area I'm calling the "Garden" is easily visible in my photos. Not so much in person- but when the diamond was loose you could pick it out if you tilted exactly the right way.
Still, if I was grading the diamond for clarity- and it did not have the gletz, I'd say it was no worse than SI1.


Here's another aspect of clarity grading which is often misunderstood. A diamond's clarity is graded ( by GIA) based on the presence of imperfection- not on it's visibility
I've seen a 3 carat plus round diamond which was graded by GIA as a VS2- yet the imperfection was pretty easy to see without a loupe! It was simply a matter of luck and positioning. There was a tiny black spot but it was oriented and positioned so it sat right above a large facet which highlighted it.


Going back to the Emerald Cut diamond above:

Sure, it's an emerald cut, which might show imperfection more easily than a round- but I still feel the garden is a lot less noticeable than a "hard" imperfection- such as the "White Gletz"


To get the best use of this particular diamond, we put it in a bezel.

Now, I have a hard time seeing either of the imperfections without the loupe.


The point: A diamond's clarity can be an issue. Sometimes an I1 has a single concentrated spot- right in an area so that it becomes the only thing you see.
But clarity, in itself- is not a valid method of comparison. Not all VS2's are better than Si2's

Reputation is everything!

I looooove the EC ring, by the way

Sylvie,

You need to remember that you're not a diamond dealer, people will be very hesitant to buy something from you, no matter if you asked only $100 USD for it, they don't want to lose money if they don't get what they paid for. I'm not saying that's what you are doing, but people who don't know you are going to be careful buying a diamond from you. I hate to ask - and if you don't want to answer my question - but how much did you spend on the diamond?

Not to steer away from the topic, but aren't rounds in general more than fancy shapes? It's one of the reason why I didn't consider a round for my ER.  Wanted more for my buck.

Thank you David and Snowflake. I understand people hesitate to buy from me cause I'm not a diamond dealer and the asking price was too high.

I think that my dream to buy an OEC is over...

Oh Stci, cheer up!  I agree with Snowflake - if I were you I'd try to sell it locally and/or lower your selling price.  If you really want to get a different diamond, then get what you can for yours, and then save for the new one.  THE DREAM IS NEVER OVER!!!

Ppl will only pay what they are willing and think its worth.
This notion of a diamond as an 'investment' is flawed IMO.

A good point Pip..... which brings us back on point of the subject of the thread, however indirectly.


We don't advocate the buying of diamonds as "Financial Instruments". Nor do we advise people to borrow money to buy a diamond.

Yet, if a person has achieved the ability to command the type of money it takes to buy a diamond, it does not depreciate in the same manner as other things one buys.
The initial hit is always a big one.
It's the same with buying a new car. The moment you drive it off the lot and it loses a lot of value- mostly because now you're the seller.

The main reason is that established dealers offer buyers far more advantages. Therefore,  if a private individual, and a dealer are offering identical items, the dealer will normally command a higher price.

Once you've owned the thing for a while, the same condition still exists as far as dealers getting higher prices.
But here's where some important differences between diamonds, and other things you buy come in.
Going back to the car comparison-

These are really rough numbers ( I'm going by recollection) but who knows, maybe they are not that far off....
IN the case of cars, I'd say current prices are about 2-3 times the cost they were in 1987.
I seem to remember buying a Pontiac 6000 for about $13K in 1987.
To my recollection, that's about right for a lot of diamonds as well.
There are things that have gone up a lot more- including very large important diamonds, and fancy colored diamonds.

But in general- for the most commonly sold diamonds, I'd say dealers of diamonds today are paying 2-3 times more than they were in 1987

.......imagine if your 1987 car was identical in every way to the newest model.

It's quite conceivable most cars bought in 1987 are worthless today.
Not so if we're talking about any well cut diamond of a decent size from 1987.

What I'm saying is- hold a diamond over time and it will not depreciate like many other things we buy.

Now- to the point of the thread....
Another huge aspect in this is your purchase price.
A person who spends $10,000 on their diamond has that to recover in terms of financial investment.
Thank goodness stci didn't spend $5000 on a diamond she wanted to sell today.....
The great thing about buying a well cut I1 is that it's far easier for many people to achieve.

I would truly hope stci does one of two things
1) Decide she enjoys her current diamond-then it will be providing her with joy.
2) Decide she really wants something else, and bite the bullet. Lower the price- sell the diamond and move on.

stci- please don't take offense- I want you to really love your diamond! or get the one you do love.

I'm sorry I pulled this thread so off track, David.

I thought it might be a good opportunity to help stci understand more about her diamond and the diamond market, but I'll stick to pm's from now on! I've pulled a few threads off track, I swear I'll be an  from now on!