Ask LB: What Constitutes an "Eyeclean" SI2 Diamond?

For this post, we will be taking a closer look at SI2 clarity diamonds. This clarity grade is the most puzzling of all to decipher, so watch and read closely! 

In case you were curious, SI stands for Slightly Included, which means that there are some imperfections present within the diamond. While there are opportunities to find great values here, there is also a good chance you will end up with an undesirable stone. We primarily recommend our clients to consider anything in the VS1 to SI2 range for most diamond shapes, however once you get into the SI range it is crucial to have a diamond consultant guide you to the right stone. Watch along with the video and read the text below as for more in-depth information about SI2 quality diamonds.

Here is a lineup of three excellent cut round brilliant diamonds with SI2 clarity grades (per the GIA grading system).
The two outermost stones should be AVOIDED at all costs: The one on the left has heavy black crystal inclusions which can easily be seen by the naked eye. These dark spots are hard to miss and distract from the diamond's overall beauty.
On the right side is perhaps an even worse SI2 clarity diamond that is so heavily included by clouds that it lacks transparency and instead displays hazy/milky appearance. You will notice that it lacks brilliance, fire and the overall luster that one should expect from a diamond. Keep in mind that a diamond having an excellent cut grade does not guarantee a crisp overall sparkle with inclusions like this present.

Keep watching to see what we consider an excellent SI2 clarity diamond. Not only is it 100% eye clean with only scattered transparent inclusions throughout, it is also very crisp and has excellent luster/sparkle. These are the type of SI2 clarity diamonds that we keep in our inventory - and under no circumstances would we offer a client anything like the first two examples! We carefully inspect each diamond for each aspect of clarity to ensure the utmost brilliance and no distracting inclusions.

BUYER BEWARE: GIA grading reports will not state if a diamond is eye clean or has a hazy appearance and is something you can only view in a real life visual and with an expert's confirmation. Keep in mind if you see an SI2 clarity grade diamond priced much lower than other similar options, it is more than likely that the diamond would fall in the category of either "not eye clean" or hazy.

For more loose diamond information, click here!