You might be wondering what a SI diamond is, and you might be wondering which grade of diamond to purchase. Some of the characteristics you should look for when purchasing a diamond are listed below. A certificate provides additional information from the Gemological Institute of America/American Gem Society (GIA/AGS). An SI diamond certificate is worth more money than an SI2 diamond certificate. The distinction between a SI and an SI1 diamond is critical to understanding diamond grading. According to the Diamond Grading System, a diamond-graded SI is worth several hundred dollars more than a diamond-graded SI2.
A diamond with an SI1 grade will have very few inclusions. When viewed under a 10x magnification, these will be visible. If the conditions are right, they may also be visible to the naked eye. The cost will be an essential factor to consider regardless of the clarity grade. The price of an SI1 diamond will be higher than that of an SI2 diamond. The higher price, on the other hand, is well worth it. However, keep in mind that a higher clarity grade does not necessarily imply a higher price tag on the item.
What Is SI Diamond?
SI1 and SI2 are the first and second positions in the SI scale, respectively (slightly included one and slightly included 2). Compared to an SI2 diamond, an SI1 diamond has fewer, more minor, and less noticeable inclusions. In nature, the size of the inclusions is usually medium, and their location can be anywhere on the planet (in the center under the table or on the sides near the girdle). SI diamonds are more likely to have inclusions centered on the diamond. The number of SI2 and SI1 inclusions can vary depending on the sample, and it can be a single inclusion or a series of inclusions. Rather than a slew of more minor inclusions, you can expect one grade-setting inclusion in most cases.
Among the 4Cs, clarity is the most important. Diamond clarity can be classified into SI1 or SI2, depending on the location of inclusions. While they’re not visible to the naked eye, they may be noticeable under 10 x magnifications. SI diamonds are generally not the highest quality stones, but they can save you a lot of money. However, if you’re not careful, you can still find a diamond with an SI1 grade.
It is considered a high-quality stone when the diamond has a SI rating. On the other hand, its price tag may indicate the presence of inclusions. Inclusions are tiny blemishes, and they can easily detect under a 10x magnification microscope. There are numerous other characteristics of a diamond that can raise or lower the price of a diamond beyond the price of a SI diamond. The clarity grade, on the other hand, is an important consideration. If you’re looking for a high-quality diamond, consider purchasing one with an SI1 clarity grade.
SI/ Slightly Included
SI diamonds, which are less than VS2 (or very slightly included 2), can be a good value for money for the budget-conscious buyer. This range accounts for less than half of all gem-quality diamonds globally. An SI diamond can be 10% to 20% less expensive than a VS diamond. They’re in high demand, especially SI1 because the inclusions aren’t visible and allow customers to focus on the other C’s like carat and color.
Diamonds with clarity grades of SI are trendy among buyers because these stones are significantly more affordable than diamonds with higher clarity grades. Check out this article to learn more about SI clarity, how it compares to other clarity grades, and when purchasing SI-clarity diamonds is good.
A trained grader can see inclusions in SI stones under 10 x magnifications, but they are not visible to the naked eye. Fewer than 10x magnification, the I1, I2, and I3 categories have inclusions that are obvious to a skilled grader, in contrast with the VVS1, VVS2, VS1, and VS2 categories, which have inclusions that are more minor and less noticeable for the trained grader to see under 10 x magnifications. Depending on the number of inclusions and the prominence of their placement within the stone, a grader will determine if the stone is SI1 or SI2 in classification.
All other factors being equal, most consumers and potential diamond buyers are aware that, even if they only have a basic understanding of diamonds, a stone with fewer inclusions is typically more valuable, and vice versa. A SI stone could be the equivalent of a unicorn in its rarity for some buyers. What exactly do I mean? Overall, depending on the size and location of the inclusions, SI stones can provide a significant increase in value for your money.
Diamond With SI Clarity
Diamond clarity grades describe anything that interferes with the free passage of light through a diamond, such as inclusions and imperfections, among other things. They are graded on a scale from “Flawless” (F) to “Included” (I), with several levels of excellence in between. The grades are F, IF, VVS1, VVS2, VS1, VS2, SI1, SI2, I1, and I2. The grades are F, IF, VVS1, VVS2, VS1, VS2, SI1, SI2, I1, and I2.
SI is an abbreviation for “Slightly Included,” which does not necessarily imply a poor grade. SI diamonds will provide the best value for your money in many cases. These are the clarity grades that we consider to be the least clear.
SI diamonds have imperfections in common with all diamonds, including flawless diamonds. Compared to diamonds with higher clarity grades, these flaws are more significant and more numerous in this type of diamond. Some flaws will be visible to an expert who examines the diamond closely. Although it’s unlikely you’ll notice anything at the distance from which you usually view your ring.
SI-quality diamonds are available from a variety of jewelers. However, each jeweler’s selection of SI diamonds may vary. This is especially important because, depending on the jeweler’s inventory, the imperfections may be better or worse.
With Clarity’s diamond search, you can find the largest inventory of SI1 and SI2 clarity diamonds at the best possible price. Combine the clarity of the diamond with the other 4Cs to see if SI is the right clarity range for you based on your price range and budget. The importance of clarity, like everything else, is entirely dependent on your personal preferences.
Under 10x magnification, the diamond may have obvious inclusions or imperfections that are visible.
Larger diamonds, above 0.5 CT, may have visible inclusions, which can often be seen without 10x magnification.
Can You Tell Me Whether A SI Diamond Is Of Good Quality?
SI is an abbreviation for “Slightly Included,” which does not necessarily imply a poor grade. SI diamonds will provide the best value for your money in many cases. These are the clarity grades that we consider to be the least clear. SI diamonds have imperfections in common with all diamonds, including flawless diamonds.
Which Should You Choose Between A VS Diamond And A SI Diamond?
VS and SI clarity grades are the “Goldilocks” of clarity grades because they are neither too expensive nor too full of unsightly spots visible every time you look at your diamond. If you’re considering purchasing a diamond, you’ve probably already narrowed down the clarity grades you’re looking for to the “Goldilocks” zone of VS and SI: not too expensive, but not too full of unsightly spots that will be visible every time you look at your diamond either.
As a result, the most popular clarity grades are VS, which stands for very slightly included, and SI, which stands for slightly included. However, it would help if you still narrowed it down a little further. Each of these grades is subdivided into VS1 and VS2, and SI1 and SI2 for each of the other grades.
Even though all four VS and SI diamond grades are technically “eye clean,” meaning that they have no easily visible inclusions when viewed face-up, in practice, some of these diamonds appear significantly better than others.
Never fear; we’ve compiled everything you need to know about VS and SI diamonds into one (perhaps a little lengthy) blog post for your convenience. Please continue reading to find out the differences between VS1 diamonds, VS2 diamonds, SI1 diamonds, and SI2 diamonds to make an informed decision about which one to use for your diamond engagement ring.
Are SI Diamonds Genuine Gems?
Yes! Even though an SI1 diamond isn’t flawless, both SI diamond grades are stunning and extremely valuable. Most of the time, no one will come close enough to even notice or identify the inclusions in the first place. Like the majority of other high-quality diamonds, SI diamonds will appreciate over time.
What Is The Monetary Value Of SI Diamonds?
You can expect to pay more or less (per carat) for a larger or smaller diamond depending on its size. A 0.50-carat SI1 clarity diamond in the same shape and color range will cost between $900 and $2000, depending on the cut and clarity. A 2 carat SI1 diamond will cost between $12,000 and $25,000, whereas a 1 carat SI1 diamond will cost between $12,000 and $25,000.
What Is A Si 2 Diamond, And How Does It Work?
Slightly included to the second degree (SI2), diamonds have inclusions visible under a 10X magnification, indicating that they are slightly included. Some SI2 diamonds have no visible inclusions. However, a more significant proportion—approximately 70%—does not appear to be free of contaminants. That is why it is necessary to examine SI2 diamonds thoroughly.
Conclusion
SI diamonds have a small amount of inclusion. The clarity scale at the GIA is divided into two categories: VS1 and SI2. Although VS1 diamonds have fewer inclusions than SI diamonds, they are visible to the naked eye. Blemishes are another name for these diamonds. Inclusions are similar to black pinpoints, which resemble blemishes. Air pockets are the source of these problems. Although SI1 diamonds are the most popular among online and local buyers, the clarity scale is not black-and-white. A clear SI1 diamond will be worth more than a VS2 diamond eye-clean. You’ll be glad you paid attention to the SI diamond clarity scale experts! Remember to read the grading scale the next time you’re considering buying a diamond. You’ll be amazed at how much of a difference it makes.
