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It is the golden rule of many industry professionals that VS2, SI1 and SI2 are the diamond clarity grades to go for if you’re looking for budget-friendly eye-clear diamonds.
The Included diamond grades, I1, I2 and I3 stones, fall below this zone as they are almost never eye-clean which is also why they are even cheaper. Diamonds higher up on the clarity scale, while often containing no visible inclusions, can get pretty expensive.
So, does this mean that I1 clarity diamonds should just be avoided at all costs or do they have some value?
Let’s investigate:
What Are I1 Diamonds?
Briefly, for those unfamiliar with diamond clarity grades, a stone’s clarity evaluates how many and how big (if any) are the internal blemishes and inclusions inside the stone itself. The fewer they are, the clearer the stone.
GIA Clarity Scale is the industry standard.
The basic grades maintained by most gemological institutes are as follows:
IF (Internally flawless) and FL (Flawless) – these have virtually no internal inclusions, even when viewed under an x10 magnification.
VVS1 & VVS2 (Very Very Slightly Included) – these have some minor inclusions that can only be observed with magnification but are invisible to the naked eye.
VS1 & VS2 (Very Slightly Included) – these also only have minor inclusions that are invisible to the naked eye but are easier to notice with magnification.
(Slightly Included) – these have more and bigger inclusions. Whether they are visible to the naked eye depends on their position in the stone and their color (which the grading method doesn’t account for).
I1, I2 And I3 (Included) – these are the stones that have many and large inclusions that are almost always visible to the naked eye.
So, as you can see, I1 clarity diamonds are at the bottom of the scale. So, should you just avoid them altogether?
Well, as we briefly pointed out, the color of the inclusions and their position in the diamonds isn’t actually a part of the grading method. This is a major factor to keep in mind as there is a huge difference between a colorless inclusion that’s by the side of the stone and a dark black inclusion that’s in a diamond’s center, just below the table. The latter will be painfully visible even to the layperson, while the former may very well remain invisible even to a professional’s naked eye.
Because each subsequent clarity grade up on the clarity scale often comes with a significant increase in price, looking for eye-clean, beautiful diamonds among the lower grades is an excellent way to save on your diamond’s price.
Can I1 Diamonds Be Eye-Clean?
This is the big question most people ask when wondering about I1 clarity diamonds. The reason VS2, SI1 and SI2 diamonds are considered the best choice for budget-friendly eye-clean stones is that it’s relatively easy to find a cheap SI2 stone which is nearly eye-clean (and it’s very easy to find an eye-clean VS2 stone).
However, is it the same for I1 diamonds?
One of the defining qualities of I1-3 stones is that their inclusions are so numerous and so large that they affect the stones’ brilliance, sparkle, and appearance. However, for some rare I1 diamonds it is still possible to find them with colorless inclusions that match the stone’s own shapes and colors so well that they remain invisible to the naked eye.
Here are a couple of great examples of I1 stones on the James Allen store that are so close to being eye-clean that it’s mind-boggling – this 1.00 carat G-color stone and this 1.04 carat I-color one. Both have quite a lot of large inclusions but because they are colorless and because they match so well with the rest of the stone, they are essentially unnoticeable. Remember to view them at their normal size (they’re 20x magnified in the video) and you’ll barely notice any inclusions.
So, would we advise you to look for eye-clean I1 diamonds instead of VS2, SI1 or SI2 stones? After all, they are even cheaper, right?
Well, admittedly, finding an eye-clean I1 diamond would be such a jackpot that many would buy it just because of that. But that’s also kind of the problem – eye-clean I1 diamonds are so rare that looking for them can be quite the time-consuming endeavor. After all, why spend multiple hours to look for a slightly cheaper diamond? Time is money too, isn’t it?
Because of the sheer rarity of eye-clean I1 diamonds, we’d advise you to stick to VS2, SI1 and SI2 stones when looking for budget-friendly eye-clean diamonds. Nevertheless, if you’re looking for a cheap stone that’s close to being eye-clean, I1 is a good grade to consider.
I1 Diamonds and Shapes
Do certain diamond shapes cover an I1 diamond’s inclusion better than others? Well, this is mostly a case-by-case question.
The shape, cut and color of a stone can certainly make its internal inclusions more visible or harder to notice, but there isn’t one shape that’s best for that. Certain inclusions can be painfully visible on a round cut diamond but barely noticeable on a heart cut stone, and vice versa. Whatever diamond shape you’re looking for, finding an eye-clear I1 stone in it will be a challenge.
With that in mind, round cut and princess cut stones may be a better option to find I1 diamonds, simply because they are more numerous.
The Value Of An I1 Diamond
In terms of direct value that the diamond industry ascribes to I1 stones, it isn’t very high. At the end of the day, they are located at the lower end of the diamond clarity scale. Funny enough, it could be said that eye-clean I1 diamonds are “highly valued” by many customers precisely because they are so rare and because their price is so affordable.
Still, they are diamonds and it’s not like they are devoid of any actual value. When placed in the right setting and with the right embellishments around it, an I1 diamond’s inclusions can be mostly hidden. This makes I1 stones ideal for jewelry types and designs that don’t accent the diamond’s clarity too much. They are also great as side stones or with smaller melee diamonds.
Any earring, necklace, bracelet or even ring that has heavily ornamented design and doesn’t put its diamonds front and center is a good choice for an I1 diamond. Otherwise, especially for ring designs that are meant to showcase a diamond’s quality, we’d suggest a higher clarity grade.
Having said all this, it’s important to remember that the quality of workmanship and the type of setting can significantly add to any diamond’s price.
The Importance of Seeing the Diamond Clearly
Included diamonds are a great example as to why it’s very important to see the diamond in person before you make a purchase. There are a few online stores out there such as James Allen, Blue Nile and Brian Gavin that have excellent HD picture and video representation of their stones – in those cases you can be significantly surer that what you’re seeing is what you’re going to get.
Whether you’re buying the diamond in person or online, it’s important to know how to buy an I1 diamond. Yes, both online and in person you can (and should) look at the stone’s certification, it’s official grading, and any graphics that showcase its dimensions, cut, and even ones that accent its inclusions.
It’s also important to take a good magnified look at the whole diamond. This is one thing that many people skip when they are buying a stone in person, probably because they don’t want “to bother” the salesperson. Well, that’s what they are there for – to let you “bother” them.
The opposite is even more important, however – to see the diamond in its actual size and with the naked eye. This, reversely, is something that a lot of people forget to do online as they just look at the stone’s magnified images. Seeing how the stone looks in real life and in its actual size, especially from all sides, is very important when evaluating its visual quality.
To Wrap Things Up…
I1 clarity diamonds are in a very weird and fascinating place in the diamond world. Yes, they are on the lower end of the clarity scale, they are very rarely eye-clean, and they are much cheaper than other diamonds.
However, they do have their place in diamond jewelry and finding an eye-clean I1 stone can be a diamond-hunting highlight on its own.
FAQs
Is a I1 clarity diamond good? ›
I1 has the fewest or smallest imperfections, while I2 and I3 have bigger and more noticeable flaws. We recommend sticking exclusively to I1 diamonds. Lower clarity grades will always have readily visible flaws or flaws that can make your diamond break.
Is I1 clarity bad for a diamond? ›An "eye-clean" diamond will have no flaws visible to the naked eye. (All diamonds, even F clarity stones, will contain microscopic flaws). Typically, I1 clarity diamonds will have large and numerous visible flaws that will very likely impact their appearance, so most aren't eye-clean.
Is I1 clarity good for diamond earrings? ›No. If you find a vendor offering I clarity diamonds, we understand the price is likely to be compelling, but the bottom line is that these diamonds are poor quality; even I1 clarity diamonds require rigorous analysis to ensure they are even passable for a piece of fine jewelry, much less an engagement ring.
Is an I color diamond good? ›But I-color diamonds are a very good option, especially for yellow and rose gold engagement rings. I-color diamonds will look brightest in round brilliant diamonds and other well-cut brilliant diamond shapes like ovals, cushions, and princess cuts in sizes up to about one-carat.
Will an I1 diamond sparkle? ›Many people are concerned that the inclusions within an SI-2 or I-1 clarity diamond will affect the sparkle factor. This is an unnecessary concern, because the inclusions of a diamond to not effect sparkle.
What does I1 clarity look like? ›I1 translates to “Included to the first degree.” Gems with this clarity grade have noticeable imperfections you can uncover with a jeweler's loupe. Even if you don't use a glass or loupe at 10x magnification, you might still be able to spot the blemishes. These flaws are nearly always visible to the naked eye.
Is I1 a real diamond? ›I1 clarity describes the clarity of a diamond with small inclusions visible to the naked eye. I1 clarity diamonds offer an affordable alternative to high clarity diamonds which demand much higher prices. An understanding of clarity grades will help before buying an engagement ring.
Which is a better clarity of diamond SI or I 1? ›On the diamond clarity scale, SI grades are closer to the bottom with only I (Included) grades lower. The SI range is broken down into two grades: SI1 and SI2. The difference between these two is in the amount, size, and how noticeable the inclusions are when viewed, with SI1 being the better grade.
Which diamond is better H or I? ›If you're buying a diamond under 1 carat, you might consider choosing an I, J, or K color diamond. Going over 1 carat? We recommend H color-grade diamonds or higher.
Which diamond clarity shines the most? ›Because diamonds reflect white light, colorless diamonds produce the best sparkle and fire. In fact, the more color a diamond has, the less likely it is to reflect white light. And as a result, will produce less sparkle. A D-color diamond is the highest quality, and will offer the greatest sparkle.
Which is better VS2 or i1? ›
The clarity grades given by agencies like the GIA basically tell you how big of an issue these inclusions are. SI1 clarity diamonds should have slightly worse inclusions than VS2 clarity diamonds.
What is the best to worst diamond color? ›The color scale begins at D and ends at Z. D-E-F diamonds are considered 'colorless', G-H-I-J diamonds are 'near colorless', and K to Z diamonds have slight traces of color.
Is G or I color diamond better? ›Why is G the most popular color grade for diamond engagement rings? G-color is the top diamond color grade in the near-colorless color range. These are diamonds that professionals can tell have a slight tint of color but that appear colorless to the rest of us.
Are I diamonds too yellow? ›Are I Color Diamonds Too Yellow? It's important to remember that some people are more sensitive to color than others, but generally speaking I color diamonds are a great choice for most buyers and will face up white in white gold, platinum, yellow gold, or platinum settings.
What clarity diamond is best value? ›Bottom Line: VS2 clarity diamonds offer the best value. VS2 diamonds have small inclusions, but are usually not visible to the naked eye. It will look like a flawless diamond. VS2 diamonds can cost as much as 30% less than Flawless clarity grades.
Is I1 clarity Better Than SI2? ›SI stands for "Slightly Included." Just below SI1 and above I diamonds, SI2 clarity diamonds are on the lower end of the clarity scale. However, that doesn't mean you should avoid them. These diamonds offer an affordable price point, and their flaws are often not visible to the naked eye.
Does clarity matter for small diamonds? ›For stones one carat or smaller, VS or even SI grades are pretty standard. In small stones (those below half a carat), clarity doesn't matter as much. Color grades will be more noticeable. When buying a diamond, it's essential to look closely at the stone.
What does diamond clarity I1 mean? ›The I1 clarity grade is assigned by gemological laboratories (such as GIA and AGS) when the diamond has inclusions that can be seen easily at 10X magnification. This is true even for an unskilled lay-person who's using the loupe for the first time.
What is the difference between SI1 and I1 diamond? ›Diamonds receive grades on each of the Four Cs from a gemological laboratory. Their clarity grades can range from "Flawless" (F) to "Included" (I). "Slightly Included" (SI) is on the lower end of the range and has two subdivisions. SI1 has the fewest and smallest inclusions, while SI2 has more and larger inclusions.
Which is better I1 or I3 diamond clarity? ›I1 clarity have the least amount of eye-visible inclusions, whereas I2 diamonds have very visible inclusions. I3 diamonds are the lowest clarity grade possible prior to industrial drill bit use. As the inclusions present in I1-I3 diamonds detract from the beauty of the gems, Do Amore does not sell them.
Which is better VS2 or I1? ›
The clarity grades given by agencies like the GIA basically tell you how big of an issue these inclusions are. SI1 clarity diamonds should have slightly worse inclusions than VS2 clarity diamonds.
Which diamond clarity is best? ›What is the best diamond clarity? The best diamond clarity rating is Flawless (FL). These are the rarest diamonds in the world; less than 0.05% of all diamonds are Flawless or Internally Flawless.
What is the lowest quality diamond? ›I3 diamond clarity represents the lowest diamond clarity grade available.
Is I1 clarity better than SI2? ›SI stands for "Slightly Included." Just below SI1 and above I diamonds, SI2 clarity diamonds are on the lower end of the clarity scale. However, that doesn't mean you should avoid them. These diamonds offer an affordable price point, and their flaws are often not visible to the naked eye.
Is Costco diamond jewelry good? ›Overall, Costco diamonds are of decent quality and offer great value, as long as they're GIA certified. You can find a ring for 50% less than at other big-name jewelry stores. But compared to online retailers, Costco cannot match their selections, customization, or service.
What are I1 inclusions in diamonds? ›The I1 clarity grade is assigned by gemological laboratories (such as GIA and AGS) when the diamond has inclusions that can be seen easily at 10X magnification. This is true even for an unskilled lay-person who's using the loupe for the first time.
What is the classiest diamond cut? ›1. ROUND BRILLIANT DIAMOND. By far the most popular cut is the Round Brilliant, with it's fifty-seven perfectly aligned facets it's brilliance really does out-shine the others. Total internal reflection is the key here; light travels through the stone giving optimum sparkle and scintillation.
Which diamond clarity sparkles the most? ›Because diamonds reflect white light, colorless diamonds produce the best sparkle and fire. In fact, the more color a diamond has, the less likely it is to reflect white light. And as a result, will produce less sparkle. A D-color diamond is the highest quality, and will offer the greatest sparkle.
Which diamond shape sparkles the most? ›Round Cut Diamonds Sparkle The Most
The standard round cut diamond comprises 57 facets (58 including one on the bezel). This cut heightens the diamond's sparkle and shine. Because round diamonds have the largest number of facets, they create the most sparkle.
Out of the 4 C's of diamonds, the cut of the diamond is the most important. This is followed by color, clarity, and carat weight.
Which diamond is better G or I? ›
E and F are also in the colorless part of the scale. G, on the other hand, is the highest grade in the near-colorless range, which also includes H, I and J. In this case, “near-colorless” means that a G color diamond might display a very faint yellow tint when it's viewed and graded by an expert gemologist.