IF IS NOT I
IF CLARITY, I COLOR, I CLARITY, F COLOR? WHAT?
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Why do they make things so confusing?
Let’s get to the point: IF is NOT I, nor F!
GOT IT?
GOOD!
There’s a lot of I’s and F’s when it comes to Diamond Grading. And misunderstanding these IF’s could be a HUGE, HUGE MISTAKE!
IF
If stands for Internally Flawless (one of the BEST grades there is in Diamond Clarity)… (FL is actually the BEST. FL is Flawless).
I
I stands for both I Color, and I Clarity, but I Clarity is generally written with a number after it, like I1, I2 and I3.
F
F stands for F Color, but some people mistake it as Flawless (it isn’t!). F is Color!
Understand?
Don’t worry… many people get confused with all the F’s and I’s. So let’s take a look at the actual Diamond Charts.
Below is a Diamond Clarity Chart showing both IF and I’s…
Now, let’s take a look at the GIA Diamond Color Charts. You’ll see both F and I below…
So if you’re Shopping and Comparing Diamonds, especially Loose Diamonds for an Engagement Ring, slow down and take a closer look. Is it Color or Clarity that they’re talking about? Look at the Grades. See what they are.
Because an IF, I is NOT in the same Classification as an I1, F. BIG DIFFERENCE!
Let’s compare these two similar sounding stones… (Diamonds sold by James Allen)
Here’s the Details of these Stones…
CARAT WT, CLARITY, COLOR, CUT, CERT, FLUORESCENCE | PRICE | VIEW |
1.09, IF, I, EXCELLENT, GIA, NONE | $7,010 | VIEW |
1.04, F, I1, EXCELLENT, GIA, NONE | $4,380 | VIEW |
See! There are Big Visible Differences between them. One stone is Virtually Flawless, while the other Diamond is Full of Dark Flaws and Massive Inclusions!
Granted, there is also a Huge Difference in Price…
The IF Diamond is almost $3,000 MORE than the I1 Diamond. But, you do get what you pay for! :)
Don’t Make this Mistake!
You don’t want your pretty little Fiancee to see Large Black Spots in her Stone. That may not Render a Smile.
So IF is IF, and I is I, and F is F…
GOT IT?
GOOD! :)
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