{"id":4297,"date":"2023-09-18T08:00:09","date_gmt":"2023-09-18T12:00:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.jewelry-secrets.com\/Blog\/?p=4297"},"modified":"2023-09-18T11:36:26","modified_gmt":"2023-09-18T15:36:26","slug":"si3-clarity-diamonds","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.jewelry-secrets.com\/Blog\/si3-clarity-diamonds\/","title":{"rendered":"SI3 CLARITY DIAMONDS"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"SI3<\/div>\n

There is an interesting clarity grade on the market that few customers know about, and often, those that do, find out the hard way.<\/p>\n

\nI’m talking about SI3 clarity diamonds<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

SI3???<\/h2>\n

\nThe SI3 clarity grade is highly unique<\/strong>, questionable<\/strong> and only one grading company<\/strong> in the entire world uses it…EGL<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\nThat reason alone could definitely make an SI3 purchase, an SI3 regret!<\/strong><\/p>\n

\nLet’s dive in and see what an SI3 really is…<\/p>\n

SI3 clarity:<\/h2>\n

\nSI3 is a clarity grade devised by EGL<\/a> (European Gemological Laboratory<\/strong>) and it’s supposed to bridge the gap<\/strong> between SI2 clarity diamonds and I1 clarity diamonds.<\/p>\n

\nTake a look below to see where an SI3 clarity is supposed to fall…<\/p>\n

\"SI3<\/p>\n

\nThe problem is… There is no SI3 clarity.<\/strong> GIA devised the clarity grading chart that everyone uses to grade their diamonds with. The GIA clarity chart is below…<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n\"GIA<\/p>\n

\nYou see, there is no SI3 anywhere to be found.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\nThe main reason for EGL to add in an SI3 clarity grade does make sense <\/strong>though. There are some borderline <\/strong>diamonds with borderline <\/strong>clarity. Sometimes a diamond sits right on the line between an SI2 and an I1.<\/p>\n

\nSI3 is considered a diamond that looks better<\/strong> than a normal I1 clarity stone, but yet not good enough<\/strong> to qualify as an SI2.<\/p>\n

\nThe truth is, any clarity grade could have this opinionated issue<\/strong>. There are always diamonds sitting on the fence<\/strong> and a tough decision has to be made about the actual clarity and quality of that particular diamond.<\/p>\n

\nEGL decided to add in this borderline clarity rating to ease the transition<\/strong> of these two grades. It smooths the line between visible inclusions<\/strong> and invisible inclusions<\/strong>. Let’s take a look at the invisible ones first…<\/p>\n

SI2 clarity diamonds:<\/h2>\n

\nIn an SI2 clarity diamond, all of the flaws should be invisible<\/strong> to the bare eye when viewed from a top down position (peering down into the table, or window of the diamond<\/strong>).<\/p>\n

\nBut, you will see flaws if you tip that stone on it’s side and peer through the pavilion <\/strong>(base of the diamond).<\/p>\n

\n\"SI2<\/p>\n

\nThese inclusions are visible now, under 10 magnification (microscope<\/a> or a 10x jeweler’s loupe<\/a>), but not when you’re just looking at the diamond with just your eyes.<\/p>\n

\nNow let’s look at the visible inclusions…<\/strong><\/p>\n

I1 clarity diamonds:<\/h2>\n

\nIn an I1 clarity diamond, you will<\/strong> see flaws in the stone just by looking directly down into the stone. No hiding the inclusions.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\nYou’ll see black spots<\/a>, lines, cloudy areas, pinpoints, cracks, fractures, breaks and more. Take a look at an I1 clarity stone below…<\/p>\n

\n\"I1<\/p>\n

\nSo the general rule of thumb is this:<\/strong> If you can see flaws looking down into the diamond, it’s an I1 clarity diamond or worse (I2, I3).<\/p>\n

\nIf you can only see the flaws from a side view, then it’s probably an SI2 clarity diamond.<\/p>\n

\nThis is normally <\/strong>the case. But there are always some exceptions <\/strong>to the rule, of course. I know some people who have extra-ordinary eyesight and they can see flaws in an SI1 clarity diamond<\/a>.<\/p>\n

SI3 changes things:<\/h2>\n

\nThis is EGL’s exact verbiage and definition of an SI3 clarity diamond taken directly from their website:<\/p>\n

Diamonds graded as SI-3 (‘slightly included”) contain clarity characteristics that are very easy to see under 10X magnification. The SI-3 category lies between the SI-2 and the I-1 grade.<\/p>\n

\nSI-3 was introduced to the diamond trade in 1992 to better serve the changing needs of the marketplace.<\/p>\n

\nWhile not all labs have adopted SI-3, EGL USA began using it on its diamond grading reports in 1997.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

They are saying from this very brief text, that in an SI3 clarity diamond all the flaws are only visible under 10x magnification<\/strong>. They will be very easy to see, but you shouldn’t see any with the unaided eye.<\/p>\n

That’s a strong statement.<\/p>\n

But is this true?<\/h2>\n

\nIn my dealings with SI3 diamonds… NO! That’s not entirely true<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\nAll the SI3 clarity stones that I’ve ever seen do have eye visible flaws<\/strong> and imperfections in them easily seen from the top down view.<\/p>\n

\nSo while EGL is saying that SI3 takes up a portion of the SI2 clarity range and the flaws are only microscopic, I have yet to see this<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\nSI3 takes up more of the I1 clarity grade<\/strong> instead of being a borderline stone.<\/p>\n

\nAn SI3 Diamond is really an I1 Diamond<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\nEvery jeweler that I’ve ever talked to feels the same way. Ask around… Call any jewelry store and see what they say about SI3’s. You’ll get an ear full<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

I call it what it is… an I1 diamond!<\/strong><\/p>\n

EGL uses the GIA’s grading system to rate their diamonds (although they are very lax), but they also add in that SI3 to act as a buffer for lower quality diamonds<\/strong>. I believe that this extra clarity grade serves a much better purpose for jewelers though…<\/p>\n

\nIt helps sell more diamonds.<\/strong><\/p>\n

GIA standards:<\/h2>\n

\nEveryone shopping for diamonds gets a rough education in the 4C’s<\/a>: cut<\/a>, color<\/a>, clarity<\/a> and carat weight<\/a>. Consumers hear from salespeople all the time that you should buy a diamond of at least SI clarity<\/strong> or higher.<\/p>\n

\nThis “SI clarity<\/strong>” sticks in people’s minds. They hear SI and think “This is a good quality of diamond<\/strong>“. Frankly, I find it misleading<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\nCustomers don’t realize that the 3 on the end of SI changes everything<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\nYou can’t shop and compare prices of SI3 clarity diamonds unless you only compare<\/strong> them to other SI3 EGL certified diamonds. EGL is the only one that gives this rating, so unless the jewelry store you’re shopping at sells EGL certified diamonds, you won’t be able to effectively compare diamonds<\/strong>, quality or price.<\/p>\n

\nIf you want to shop and compare an SI3 diamond, compare it to an I1 instead<\/strong>. That’s what everyone else would call these stones…<\/p>\n

\nSo while SI sounds good, that 3 just confuses people<\/strong> and makes them think they’re getting a better clarity stone. And here’s the real kicker: They’re paying more, too!<\/strong><\/p>\n

The price goes up:<\/h2>\n

\nBy calling it an “SI3<\/strong>“, it suddenly makes the diamond seem more valuable than an I1 clarity diamond. So what happens is you end up paying more for that stone than you really should have. All because it sounds better<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\nHow sad!<\/strong><\/p>\n

\nIf you want a diamond that has eye visible inclusions, buy an I1 clarity diamond instead (and save the money<\/strong>).<\/p>\n

\nI1 clarity is not all that bad… As long as you know you’re buying an I1 stone and have no problems with the inclusions, all is good. There are some great looking I1 clarity diamonds out there, you just have to search for them (As I did here at James Allen with excellent cut I1 clarity diamonds<\/a>).<\/p>\n

Get GIA’s opinion:<\/h2>\n

\nWhat we’ve always done (the jewelry stores that I’ve worked at), is send any “SI3<\/strong>” diamonds that we get from EGL to GIA to obtain a real diamond report<\/strong> for that stone. GIA will tell you what the actual diamond clarity is<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\nIn every instance so far<\/strong>, I’ve seen them come back as I1 clarity<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\nNow I’m sure there are some exceptions to this rule. I’m sure you can and will find SI3 diamonds that do have “invisible<\/strong>” inclusions in them (even SI2’s don’t claim that), but as of yet, I haven’t seen any<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\nI’d be very surprised to see an EGL SI3 clarity diamond come back as something higher in clarity like a GIA SI2.<\/p>\n

\nThat would be crazy…<\/p>\n

\nAnd I’ll tell you why…<\/p>\n

\nIf the stone was better than an SI3<\/strong>, EGL would just call it an SI2<\/strong> and make the diamond more valuable.<\/p>\n

See my logic?<\/h2>\n

\nBut they know it’s not an SI2, so they call it an SI3 instead.<\/p>\n

\nSI3 sounds better, sells better, gets more money, and there is no stigma<\/strong> attached, like calling the Diamond an I clarity (the lowest clarity on the market).<\/p>\n

\nIt’s a win-win situation<\/strong> for jewelers that sell EGL diamonds. They sell like hotcakes.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\nNot all jewelers sell EGL stones. Some jewelers just don’t want that questionable clarity<\/strong> brought up. It’s an image thing.<\/p>\n

\nBut some jewelers I’m sure, will take full advantage of this better sounding clarity grade<\/strong>. You can’t blame them either… The diamonds are already on the market. They are certified<\/strong>. And if it helps sell the stone, why not?<\/strong><\/p>\n

My advice:<\/h2>\n

\nIf you want an SI3 stone, buy one. Especially now since you know what SI3’s are (I1 diamonds)…<\/p>\n

\nBut if it were me, I would stick to GIA standards<\/strong> and buy at least SI2 or higher<\/a> (I actually recommend SI1-VS1<\/a>).<\/p>\n

\nGIA says there is no SI3, and I agree.<\/strong><\/p>\n

SI3 regret:<\/h2>\n

\nIs this purchase a regret?<\/strong> Maybe, maybe not… You probably will pay more. You might have been mislead<\/strong>. You may not be getting the quality you think you’re getting… And you will have a much tougher time trading in<\/strong> or upgrading <\/strong>that diamond. Jewelers will only give you the equivalent to what the stone really is: an I1 clarity.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\nThose are the facts.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\nWhen GIA includes the SI3 category into their strict grading system<\/strong>, I’ll take it seriously<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\nUntil then, don’t listen to the fluff. SI3’s are I clarity diamonds<\/strong> and nothing more. Just look at the flaws… You’ll see! <\/strong><\/p>\n

\nSee more eye clean diamonds here at James Allen.<\/a><\/p>\n

\nCheers! :)<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

There is an interesting clarity grade on the market that few customers know about, and often, those that do, find out the hard way. I’m talking about SI3 clarity diamonds. SI3??? The SI3 clarity grade [Read More…]<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":4304,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9,7,29,3],"tags":[503,1662,1661,1660,1659,1657,1658],"class_list":["post-4297","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-certification","category-clarity","category-diamond-guide","category-diamonds","tag-diamond-clarity","tag-egl-certificates","tag-egl-diamonds","tag-i1-diamonds","tag-si2-diamonds","tag-si3-clarity","tag-si3-diamonds"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jewelry-secrets.com\/Blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4297"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jewelry-secrets.com\/Blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jewelry-secrets.com\/Blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jewelry-secrets.com\/Blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jewelry-secrets.com\/Blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4297"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.jewelry-secrets.com\/Blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4297\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jewelry-secrets.com\/Blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4304"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jewelry-secrets.com\/Blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4297"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jewelry-secrets.com\/Blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4297"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jewelry-secrets.com\/Blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4297"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}