Continuing on about Magnification...
I'm always blown away with people buying loose Diamonds, but I'm more blown away with other Jewelers selling loose Diamonds. Why? Because I'll ask the customers that have been out shopping for loose Diamonds all over the city, if they've ever seen a Diamond under a Microscope?
80% of them say NO!
This is down-right shocking to me.
How can other Jewelers expect to sell loose Diamonds without letting the customer see what it is they're buying? I don't get it. It's like selling a Car without lifting the hood! Shame on them! (Note: Other Jewelers that are our direct competition "Keep it up!")
Don't buy a loose Diamond from a Jeweler that doesn't offer you a closer look under the scope. It's just common sense. Avoid it. All it means is that the Jewelers either don't think you're serious about buying, don't care about making a sale, or is just trying to hide the quality of that Diamond. I tend to believe they're covering it up.
Run away fast!
A Microscope will allow you to view the Diamond at all angles with the correct lighting. You'll be able to see the Inclusions inside the Diamond and spot the Blemishes on the outside. You'll be able to see if the Diamond is Cracked or Chipped or has huge black spots in it. You'll be able to look at the Girdle to see whether it's too thin or too thick. You'll be able to view the Diamond from the bottom and side and look at the Depth of the Diamond and the Height of the Crown.
Use the Scope, don't be scared of it. Compare Diamonds of other qualities to really see the difference. Do NOT buy a loose Diamond, even if it's Certified, if you haven't scoped it with a microscope! Scope it! When you buy it, scope it! When you get it set or sized, scope it! Learn to identify the Unique Characteristics about your Diamond. Don't let yourself get ripped off and don't allow the Jeweler to Switch your Diamond!
3) Understand Clarity and What Inclusions are
You can hear all day to Buy VS Clarity, but if you don't know what a VS Clarity Diamond is, then Clarity doesn't mean squat to you. It makes it pretty useless, this is why I recommend a hands on approach. Instead of hearing all about the Quality and Clarity, learn the easy way... learn by seeing the difference!
Have the Jeweler grab a bunch of Different Clarity rated Diamonds, grab the Diamond Chart that lists all the Clarities and Grades, and high-tail it to the microscope! You're going to view each and every Clarity to really see what they're talking about. I would advise starting with the lowest Clarity Grade first, then working up to the better and best!
Starting with the I Clarity Diamonds, I always have people look at the Diamond, then look at the Plot (Reference Diagram that marks the Inclusions), then look at the Diamond again. I point out the Inclusions on the Certificate Plot and then show them where they are in the Diamond under the microscope. With the microscope the Plot doesn't look like such a mystery anymore. On paper, a Plot looks like a puzzle, but you'd be surprised at how many of those microscopic flaws seem to disappear under magnification.
Don't judge a Diamond by how the Plot looks. And don't buy a Diamond solely based upon it's Clarity Rating.
All Diamonds are different. Let your eyes be the judge. So many things affect the beauty of the Diamond other than just Clarity. Color, Cut and Size play big roles!
Compare Diamonds
Look at I Clarity Diamonds, then move on up to SI Clarity. It's so fascinating to watch people's expressions when they go from I Clarity to SI. The difference almost blows them away. I hear "Wow!" and "Oh My God!" a lot! It's like night and day, you have to see it to believe it. An I Clarity Diamond has eye-visible Inclusions in it. I will say that most Certified Diamonds will not be I Clarity Diamonds. Usually only higher Clarity Diamonds like SI or VS will be Certified. (Notice I said "Usually")
SI Clarity Diamonds have small inclusions in them, visible only under a 10x Microscope. You'll see pin-points and clouds and feathers and other identifying marks. Generally SI1 Diamonds (Which is the highest of the SI Clarity Diamonds) are a good Clarity choice to buy. They have smaller inclusions than the SI2 Clarity Diamonds and look much better than any I Clarity Diamond. SI Clarity Diamonds are also the most affordable Diamond to buy and still get a good quality. SI Diamonds are pretty, until you scope a VS Clarity Diamond!
So what does a VS Clarity Diamond do? Read on...
