4 replies to this topic

[MIKEP]

After months of searching I have narrowed my choice down to a diamond I found on Blue Nile. On paper (GIA Cert) it looks great here are its stats:

1.03 Carat
Colour Grade = D
Clarity Grade = VVS2
Cut Grade = Excellent
Polish = very good
Symmetry = Excellent
Fluorescence = none

I have compared it to the AGA cut rules and charts off this site and it falls into a 1A grade. Again, on paper, it looks great. I have seen similar diamonds in stores with lower grading then above and they seemed just great! I have only one concern, on the GIA cert it references the presence of a "needle" should I be concerned? It seems to affect the price of the diamond, similar sizes with similar stats sell at a marked premium ($1000-$2000 more). Will this needle affect the overall "look" of the diamond? Or am I being overly picky..

Mike

[denverappraiser]

A needle is an inclusion inside the diamond that consists of a different mineral that grew there before the diamond did. They're quite common and, in a VVS2, it's going to be VERY small. It's nothing to worry about and it's not the reason for the discount. Show us some links to what you're considering comparable that costs $2k more and we'll take a stab at an explanation. It may be as simple as shopping at different stores. Not everyone charges the same prices.

[davidelevi]

Just to reinforce what Neil just said - there is no way you will see a VVS2 needle in any conditions without a loupe (and even then, you'll have some fun finding it).

[LaurieH]

What they said. It sounds like a great diamond. I'll give you my superquick, GIA educated run-through on Clarity:

Flawless and Internally Flawless: no explaination necessary
VVS--MINUTE inclusions visible under 10x magnification or better, NOT visible at all to the unaided eye
VS--MINOR inclusions visible under 10x magnification or better, NOT visible to the unaided eye
SI--NOTICEABLE inclusions visible under 10x magnification or better, MAY BE visible to the unaided eye
I--OBVIOUS inclusions visible under 10x magnification or better, MAY BE visible to the unaided eye and/or compromise the integrity of the stone

Keep those in mind--MINUTE, MINOR, NOTICEABLE, OBVIOUS in mind when you're looking at that, and you can rest assured that when it comes to the diamond that you are looking at, neither nature (type) nor location of the inclusion is going to have any negative impact on the appearance whatsoever. You've got a gem, so to speak. If you're happy how it looks in person on top of that, then you can't go wrong!

Congrats in advance!

[IntermezzoDesigns]

update?