WHY SI1 CLARITY?

SI1 really is the ultimate clarity.

No, it’s not the top, but it’s certainly not the lowest clarity either.

SI1 sits right in the middle.

And that’s what makes them so ideal.

SI1 is an above average clarity grade that makes it the most popular, affordable, and best selling diamond quality on the market.

Let’s define what SI means…

GIA says:

“Slightly Included (SI), or Slightly Imperfect grades on the GIA clarity grading scale for diamonds with inclusions and surface blemishes which are usually invisible to the unaided eye, but which can be seen easily or very easily under 10x magnification; inclusions are often centrally located and noticed immediately in larger sizes and in some fancies they can sometimes be seen without magnification.”

There are two grades in the SI category abbreviated SI1 and SI2. SI1 clarity usually has fewer and less obvious flaws under magnification. Most people can’t see anything with the bare eye unless you loupe them.

SI2 though, has more obvious flaws to the eye. Usually they face up fine, but the inclusions (black carbon spots, clouds, cracks, feathers) can be seen from a side view.

Fred Cuellar, author of “How to buy a diamond” states:

“SI1 (Slightly Included) has inclusions or blemishes larger than a grain of salt when viewed under 10x magnification and these inclusions can be carbon or fractures. Almost all SI1 diamonds are “eye-clean”, which means the flaws can’t be seen with the naked eye. Good quality.”

SI1 is the lowest clarity there is where the flaws are unseen with the eye (using no microscope or a 10x jeweler’s loupe). This makes them highly desirable and it keeps the cost down.

Compare prices of a SI1, F, diamond, to a Flawless, F, diamond below…

CARAT, CLARITY, COLOR, CUT, POL, SYM, FLUOR	PRICE	VIEW
1.00, SI1, F, EX, EX, EX, NONE	$6,120	VIEW
1.03, FL, F, EX, EX, EX, NONE	$11,160	VIEW

Big difference in price…

But zero difference in appearance. This just shows that most people spend money on something they can’t see.

When viewed under magnification (and those images above are actually 20x magnified), you can easily see the difference between them. But side by side on the finger, they’d look exactly the same.

IDENTICAL!

Except for price!

SI1 diamonds look great, they don’t have visible black spots or cracks, and there’s definitely an abundance of them (meaning, you’ll find them everywhere and the competition and demand keeps the price low).

And… Since you’re saving money on clarity, you’ll be able to afford a much bigger carat weight, a better color, or a better cut…

Fancy that…

So while SI1 clarity diamonds aren’t perfect, they are the ‘perfect’ clarity to buy.

And if you want 1 more reason why…

Identification

When you view an SI1 diamond under a microscope you’ll easily be able to pick out a few of the characteristics and marks inside (like birthmarks or freckles). These flaws have been inside the diamond since formation (a billion years ago), and will be in there forever more. They will never change, shift, grow, shrink… they will look exactly like that until the day you die.

So it makes scoping your diamond (comparing what you see to what’s on a diamond plot), and seeing those same flaws your entire life, satisfying. It’s peace of mind… You can identify your own stone (Which also helps prevent diamond switching!)

This is much more ideal than buying a flawless diamond that has nothing inside to identify (Which makes them look like a CZ).

I’d take an SI1 diamond anyday. Just view them under magnification before you buy them. Get familiar with your specific diamond’s fingerprints.

All diamond flaws are unique, interesting, and individually graded.

Making SI1 – the BEST clarity grade ever!

Check out these beautiful SI1 clarity diamonds here at James Allen.

Cheers! :)