Eye-Clean is
not a very good term to describe Diamonds. You'll often hear this phrase from Jewelers when talking about Diamond Clarity.
"This Diamond is Eye-Clean!" (Does Eye-Clean make the Diamond sound better than it really is?)
Eye-Clean is supposed to mean that there are no eye-visible Inclusions in the Diamond (from the top view).
But here's the problem...
Who's eyes are we talking about? Your eyes? My eyes? The fact is, we all have different eye-sight and vision. We all see things differently.
Some of us wear Glasses, some wear Bifocals. Some are Near-Sighted, Far-Sighted, and even Half Blind. So when we're talking about such a vague term as Eye-Clean, how do we know if it really is Eye-Clean?
I've run across people that can see Inclusions in an SI1 Clarity Diamond. Their eye-sight was impressive, like a very powerful microscope. So what's that mean?
It's not Eye-Clean to them!
My eye-sight is fine. I don't wear glasses, but my eyes are sensitive to bright lights (like Night Driving). Lights I can see, Microscopic Imperfections I can't!
So if all of our eyes see things differently...
How is Eye-Clean supposed to pan out?
It doesn't!
Some will see the Inclusions, others won't!
In my book, Eye-Clean refers to Diamonds that are SI2 Clarity or higher (Diamonds that you need a microscope to see the Inclusions).
Eye-Clean Means...
Eye-Clean is a term that basically means a normal person with 20/20 Vision can hold a Diamond (book length away) and look directly down into the Diamond (called the face up position), and they won't see any visible Carbon Spots (Dark Black Spots that look like Pepper) in the Diamond. Keep in mind, this is only when viewed from the top of the Diamond (the Crown). Not the side view!
SI2 Clarity or higher falls into the Eye-Clean Category. But a lot of Jewelers will push the envelope and call I1 Clarity Diamonds Eye-Clean. Some I1 Diamonds do face up well, but all I1 Clarity Diamonds have eye-visible Inclusions in them. That's why they are called I Clarity! Calling them Eye-Clean is not very truthful.
Most Diamonds are Eye-Clean
To an untrained eye, most Diamonds are Eye-Clean (unless they have major Black Spots or Cracks in them). Most people won't see any Inclusions in the Diamond unless they are pointed out to them. And even then, some still find it difficult to see those little Flaws.
No matter what, Eye-Clean is a Very Misleading and Tricky Term. Eye-Clean should NOT take the place of an actual Clarity Grade.
Beware!
If the Jeweler says "The Clarity is Eye-Clean!" Beware! Ask them what the Real Clarity Grade is. Is it an SI2? Or is it an I1? What's their definition of Eye-Clean?
I would always advise getting the Clarity in writing. Either with a Jewelry Appraisal or a Diamond Certificate. Just to be safe!
If you look at Eye-Clean Diamonds with a Jeweler's Loupe or under a 10x Microscope, sure, you'll be able to spot their Inclusions easily. But to the naked eye... Nope! That's what Eye-Clean means.
Here's the Great thing...
As we age, our eye-sight gets worse. So the longer we live, the more Eye-Clean Diamonds become. :) Sweet! A bonus for getting old!
Let's just hope that the guy who Graded the Diamonds has good vision. (What's his eye-sight like?) All the more reason to Buy Certified!
(G.I.A. is the best!) Certificates will always tell you what the Real Clarity Rating is.
SI2? Yes!
I1? Probably!
Eye-Clean? Questionable...
At least from the face up position! We hope!
If you look at your Diamond and see Inclusions you'll know the answer.
Is it Eye-Clean?
Or is it Eye-Dirty?
You be the judge!
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