What is an eye-clean diamond and which is the best store to buy from?
Well in this guide you’ll get to learn all thing surrounding ‘eye-clean diamonds including:
- What is the meaning of Eye-Clean?
- Is an Eye-Clean diamond cheaper or expensive?
- How do I choose the best Eye-Clean diamonds?
Here is a list of all my best picks. For more information about buying tricks and tips and the FAQ keep scrolling.
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Where Buy the Best Eye Clean Diamonds
Here is a list of reliable online retailers that we recommend for you. You can depend on them to get you nice diamonds that are eye-clean.
What Does Eye-Clean Mean?
An eye-clean diamond is one that does not show any visible inclusion to the naked human eye. However, under 10x magnification and depending on the clarity grade of the gemstone, the diamond inclusions are visible.
Diamond Clarity
To clearly comprehend what eye-clean means, you need to know all there is about diamond clarity. If you are new to diamonds, then there are a few terms you must understand like clarity. 4Cs is the diamond grading system and Clarity is one of them. This system was created by the leading gemology and jewelry resource in the world. It is well known as the Gemological Institute of America. The grading system consists and focuses on diamond clarity, carat weight, cut quality, and diamond color.
RECOMMENDED: Diamond Clarity and Grading Scales
If you hear eye-clean diamonds, we are referring to how clear the diamond is. That is its clarity. Diamonds have blemishes or natural inclusions. Inclusions are particles of crystals and carbon. They get trapped in the diamonds as the diamonds grow deep down in the ground. GIA has an official clarity scale. Check below:
Diamond Inclusions
For diamond cutters, it is their goal to cut the stones such that they are as clear and flawless as possible. To reduce the appearances of the inclusions, diamond cutters facet the stones. Just like white speckles, minute inclusions are also light. Other inclusions can also be big and dark. Black inclusions are normally unappealing and are commonly found in diamonds whose clarity grade is lower. It is common in I1 and SI diamond grades.
So diamonds that are eye clean have close to no inclusions or very tiny inclusions. These tiny ones can only be seen when using a Gemscope lens. Most of the eye-clean diamonds start at the clarity of VS2. This grade means very slightly included. Even so, it is possible to find an eye-clean SI1 and SI2 diamond.
It is easy to find SI1 clarity diamonds that are eye-clean. However, it is quite rare to find SI2 clarity diamonds that are eye-clean. It is additionally difficult to find I1 clarity eye-clean diamond. This is because diamonds with lower clarity grades have inclusions that are more eye-visible. This should not worry you. Here will take you through the steps of picking out eye-clean diamonds from lower clarity grades. More so we will show you how to save money in the process.
Are Eye Clean Diamonds Expensive?
Pricing eye-clean diamonds is not dependent on only one factor. Since these diamonds range from I1clarity to flawless, then pricing is generalized.
Pricing eye-clean diamonds depends on the other details of the diamond. These is all the 4C’s. so if the other 3C’s other than clarity is better in grading then the stone will be expensive.
Carat weight refers to how heavy a diamond is. It is most times associated with the stone size. While it is easy to get the size of a round diamond in its carat weight, it is not the same for each diamond shape.
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A good example is this round and emerald-shaped diamonds. They are both VVS1 and 1 carat loose diamonds. However, they have a distinct difference in their face-up sizes. For emeralds, they retain more diamond rough after cutting. As for round diamonds after cutting they have more discarded.
For colorless diamond grades, color grades play a very big role. There are grades such as D, E, and F. when buying a brilliant-cut diamond, don’t go for a high color grade. This type of diamond reflects a lot of light hence no need for more color. It is also difficult to notice the difference between two grades of color when they are put alongside each other. When the color grades are alternated, you can tell the difference.
For instance, F and E color grades look identical. Even so E grade color will cost more than the F grade. Unless you specifically want a high color grade or have enough money to spend, then do not go for high color grades. To get better prices for eye-clean diamonds, go for near colorless grades. Furthermore, look for brilliant or faint yellow shapes.
Cutting techniques also determine the value. Various cutting techniques on diamonds make them costlier than others. Diamonds with step-cut shapes such as Asscher cut and emerald cut shapes require a higher clarity grade. This is because the facets are longer flashes of light. This reveals the inclusions that are unseen in the brilliant cut. Brilliant cut diamonds have different shapes such as princess cut, round, cushion cut, radiant, and many more.
A step-cut diamond is quite cheaper. Furthermore, you will get a better deal if you buy from James Allen. They also allow you to have 360 view of the inclusions.
RECOMMENDED: Princess Cut vs Round Cut Diamonds
The different shapes also cause the difference in cost for eye-clean diamonds with similar grades. The most expensive diamond shape is the round cut. These diamonds are commonly known as round brilliant diamonds. Furthermore, it is the most popular shape in the market since it can easily be shaped to precise proportions and symmetry to achieve the best brilliant-cut for the price.
Such diamonds are referred to as the ideal cut diamonds. For round diamonds, the ideal cut is the best quality of cut. This makes them top the list of cut grade systems at GIA. The American Gem Society (AGS) uses the terms Excellent Cut diamonds while the GIA uses Ideal cut diamonds in all their reports. The two terms mean the same and are interchangeable. They mean high quality.
Some diamond shapes allege to be ideal cuts such as cushion cuts or princess cut diamonds. The grading systems at GIA only recognize round diamonds as ideal. Any other ‘ideal’ shape is only cut to the exact perimeters for their specific shape in order to get the best brilliance. They are normally in a range.
RECOMMENDED: What Are Cushion Cut Diamonds?
The chart below shows the average price of different diamond shapes whenever buying a VS2 diamond graded with a G color.
High clarity in eye-clean diamonds ranges from VVS1, VVS2, IF, and F. their costs increases depending on how high the tier is. To save you some money, go for eye-clean diamonds that have low clarity grades.
Tips for Buying Eye-Clean Diamonds
Other than getting the best price for eye-clean diamonds, there are other tips for you when buying diamonds that have no inclusions when seen by the naked eye.
Lab-Grown Diamonds
When it comes to diamonds, we all want a good stone, but paying the price for it is quite hard. There is no cheap price for quality diamonds. There is no bargaining the price or large discount attached to any quality diamond. If you come across such adverts, you are probably looking at low diamond grades or fake diamonds.
When buying a 1-carat diamond engagement ring that has a nice grade, you will pay approximately $2000 on the lower side. However, if you want to save money and still keep a good grade diamond then go for synthetic diamonds.
Synthetic diamonds are those diamonds created in the lab. Most people consider them fake. They are real diamonds only 20% cheaper than natural diamonds.
RECOMMENDED: Where to Buy Lab Created Diamonds
Gemologists came up with a technique to recreate the natural conditions under which diamonds are formed then use them in the lab. While natural diamonds take billions of years to grow, lab-created diamonds only take weeks. Since they are easy to make and are readily available, they cost less. However, they do not have any value when reselling in the market.
It is hard to get any jeweler to buy back a lab-grown diamond. Additionally, there are upgrade benefits that are not allowed by the sellers, unlike real diamonds.
Online Diamond Viewing Technology
If you are looking to save a substantial amount when purchasing an eye-clean diamond online, go for a retailer that offers you a wide range to choose from. Moreover, you should be able to see what you plan to purchase. Take your time before making the choice. It may be long but it is worth it.
I’d advise you to go Blue Nile or James Allen if you want to see a close-up of loose diamonds. Both retailers allow you to select your color grade, cut grade, clarity grade, and carat weight. Additionally, they have a vast range of diamonds to pick from.
At James Allen, there is the 360 viewer technology put in place. You can use this technology to look through the lower clarity grade diamonds. Since they have over 2000 different types of eye-clean stones, you can be sure to get a stone perfect for you.
At Blue Nile, however, you can only use the 360 viewer technology on a few of their stones and not all. There are filters given for those stones with the 360 viewer. For credibility, they offer AGSL or GIA-certified diamonds.
By now we know that no matter where you purchase from, a VS2 clarity diamond will be clean to the eye. I once got a 1-carat diamond that had VS2 clarity. I added SI1 and SI2 clarity diamonds. They all had color ratings and certification. Using James Allen’s viewer, sorting eye-clean clarity diamonds to those that are not was an easy task.
Warranties & Return Policies
When buying from an online retailer always put into consideration the return policy and the warranty. A good warranty is one that covers routine maintenance such as, rhodium plating for white gold diamonds, resizing, prong re-tipping, and stone tightening. It is even better if it is a free lifetime warranty. This saves you a lot of money as the years go by.
Currently, it is safer to make an online purchase than it was before. The payment options have expanded past the information on your credit card. A good example is Paypal.
One more thing to consider is the return policy. Always look for a favorable return policy. Different companies have different return policies. For instance, at Blue Nile and James Allen, there is no return policy in place for special orders. This means you need to be extra careful and keen when making a special order from them. Whiteflash has a virtual selection with flawless and internally flawless diamonds. For these pieces, there is a 10-day return policy. there is a 30-day return policy on any piece not labeled ‘virtual’
Do not forget to understand the return process. It is at times difficult for people to reach the nearest FedEx. This is even after they are given a free shipping label by the company. You, therefore, need to know the whole return process. Retailers like Ritani normally arrange for FedEx to pick the jewelry from your house.
It is important to pick a company with a trusted and reliable return policy and processes. This decision helps you to protect your money and yourself in case you do not like what was delivered to you.
FAQ On Eye-Clean Diamonds
Does An Eye Clean Diamond Need a Certification?
It is always good to get a certified diamond more so if it is from AGS or GIA. I always advise you to avoid diamonds certified by IGI even though most recommended retailers sell them. The thing about IGI certified diamonds is that they have a looser guideline that they use to grade diamonds. You may get a diamond with SI2 grade from a lab then take the same stone to GIA and it comes back I1 graded.
Getting diamonds certified from credible labs such as AGS and GIA assures you quality for your money. For even better results, check appraisals on reselling.
Are Diamond Inclusions Bad?
No, they are not. The upside about inclusions is that they prove your diamond is real. This is one of the ways to separate real diamonds from diamond simulants. Common diamond simulants include moissanite and lab-created white sapphires. Differentiating them from real diamonds gets harder when the clarity grades are eye-clean.
RECOMMENDED: Types of Diamond Inclusions
Inclusions in a diamond are what make your diamond unique. Since inclusions occur naturally, then a diamond that has them can never be similar to any other diamond on earth. This is the footprint on the stone.