If you’re looking for a mid-range diamond, the SI1 clarity diamond will provide a balanced blend of affordability, beauty, and clarity. But without enough information, you might end up with a really bad diamond. In this article, Afshin Shaddaie breaks down everything you need to know about the SI1 clarity diamond to ensure you’ll get the best deal.
Click here to skip straight to the section about whether it is a good idea to buy an SI1 clarity diamond.
What Is SI1 Clarity Diamond?
The SI1 clarity diamond is a slightly included diamond with visible inclusions when viewed through a standard x10 jeweler’s loupe. In many cases, the blemishes on an SI1-clarity may be visible even without magnification. You might even see inclusions like crystals, feathers, and clouds. See below for types of SI1 clarity inclusions.
The SI1 clarity diamond is ranked 7th out of the ten clarity gradings from the GIA. Although this may technically make this grading one of the lowest, this clarity ranking is among the most popular, as many consider it the lowest acceptable ranking for quality diamonds.
Regardless of their shape, nearly half of the SI1 diamonds on the market are eye-clean, attracting many potential buyers and collectors.
Expert Notes: The “SI” in SI1 stands for “Slightly Included,” while the “1” means “to the first degree.” This means the SI1 clarity is one step above the SI2 clarity diamond.
SI1 Clarity Diamond Pricing
Although there is a market value for SI1 clarity diamonds (see below), it is important to note that SI1 diamond prices will also vary based on the (types and locations of the) inclusions. So, shoppers should be careful who they buy their SI1 clarity diamonds from. If you find a bargain deal, do some research first, as the unscrupulous seller might be giving you a bad SI1 diamond.
Here’s a chart of the current market prices for a round brilliant cut diamond with J color and SI1 clarity:
| Carat Wieght | AVG Market Price |
|---|---|
| 0.50-Carats | $800 |
| 1-Carat | $3,800 |
| 1.50-Carats | $8,400 |
| 2-Carat | $16,000 |
| 2.50-Carats | $20,000 |
| 3-Carat | $37,500 |
| 4-Carat | $62,000 |
| 5-Carat | $97,500 |
| 6-Carat | $117,000 |
The above chart is only for round-cut diamonds. Other cuts will be a little bit cheaper.
Important Note: Unlike the higher clarity graded stones, the price for an SI1 clarity will vary from stone to store based on the positioning of the inclusions. Only shop at a trustworthy location if you buy an SI1 clarity or lower.
Is it a Good Idea to Buy an SI1 Clarity Diamond?
Yes. Buying an SI1 clarity diamond can be a really good idea if you’re looking for an entry-level, eye-clean diamond at a very good cost. It is usually preferred by younger couples who want a larger carat-sized engagement ring but don’t have the budget to spend too much.
That being said, the SI1 clarity diamond comes with a considerable risk if you’re not shopping with someone you’re certain you can trust. Here are a few things that can go very wrong with an SI1 clarity diamond if you’re not careful:
- You can buy a bad SI1 clarity diamond with inclusions in all the worst locations on the diamond (and the worst types of inclusions). This will make the inclusions extremely visible and the diamond harder to sell down the line.
- You may end up with a diamond with an inclusion that is too close to the edge. This critical flaw is something that an expert can detect in a second, but a regular consumer will not discover it until it’s too late. Inclusions close to the edge pose a great risk to the integrity of the diamond.
- Buying a mounting that wasn’t correctly designed for the SI1 clarity diamond. There are many creative tricks to hide the diamond inclusions using the setting (like using the prongs to cover them, a wider bezel, a backed gallery, etc…)
The above-mentioned items are only a few of the issues that can arise when shopping for an SI1 clarity diamond. Unfortunately, there are a lot more issues that can arise.
Summary: DO NOT BUY an SI1 clarity diamond or lower unless you’re buying it from an expert who knows what he’s talking about and has enough online reviews to prove trustworthiness.
Shop SI1 Clarity Diamond Rings
Here are some of the SI1 clarity diamond rings in our collection. Click here to view all of them.
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Vintage Mid-Century 1.23ct Diamond Taconic Ring. Circa 1950$11,000 -
Art Nouveau 18k Yellow Gold Lion Head Diamond Ring$2,800 -
1.05ct Diamond and Sapphire Halo Vardo Ring$7,300 -
Antique Edwardian Two Stone Diamond Orrville Ring. Circa 1900$2,800 -
Antique 0.85ct Five-Stone Diamond Platinum Bellevue Ring. Art Deco, Circa 1920$7,300 -
4.60ct Antique Cushion Cut Diamond Platinum Halo Ring$55,000 -
1.07ct Antique Pear Shape Diamond Double Halo Ring. Allwood Ring$12,000 -
1.83ct GIA Olinville Ring. Circa 1935, Antique, Art Deco Era$17,000 -
Vintage Mid Century 0.50ct Old European Ring. Circa 1950$4,000
Are SI1 Diamonds Eye-Clean?
Yes, an SI1 diamond can technically be eye-clean (without using a jewelry loupe).
But of course, most of the SI1 diamonds will not be eye-clean. In fact, to get a good eye-clean SI1 clarity diamond, you will usually have to search around and analyze each gemstone carefully. Or have a jeweler-friend or trustworthy jeweler help you out.
Here are two examples of an SI1 clarity diamond. The left one is a great option to buy, while the right one is a really bad idea to buy:
Important Note: If a jewelry loupe is used, the inclusions on an SI1 clarity will always be easy to find.
Additionally, some SI1 clarity diamonds will be eye-clean from the top but not from the sides or underneath.
Q: If two diamonds are graded as SI1-clarity, how can such big differences exist between them? A: It all depends on where the inclusions are found on the diamond. If the inclusions are on the side, they could look perfect to the eye even though they have the same number of inclusions.
The Best Shapes for SI1 Diamonds
As we mentioned, the shape of the diamond will strongly impact whether an SI1 clarity diamond appears eye-clean or not.
With SI1 and SI2 gems, you should avoid emerald and Asscher shapes, rose cuts, and almost all custom step-cut diamonds. These diamonds usually feature a higher crown, open facets, and a large table.
| Diamond Cut | SI1 EYe-clean Score |
|---|---|
| Round Cut | 10/10 |
| Princess Cut | 8/10 |
| Oval Cut | 8/10 |
| Cushion Cut | 9/10 |
| Radiant Cut | 5/10 |
| Pear Cut | 8/10 |
| Asscher Cut | 3/10 |
| Emerald Cut | 2/10 |
| Heart Cut | 4/10 |
| Rose Cut | 4/10 |
Types of Inclusions in an SI1 Diamond
There are many different types of inclusions that you’ll see on an SI1 diamond. While some are minor mineral inclusions, others are flaws on the surface or in the gem’s crystal structure. In this section, we’ll cover the most common inclusions.
In addition to the size percentage of the inclusion, the position of the inclusion will also make a massive difference to the desirability of the gemstone.
1. Crystal Inclusions
Crystal inclusions are mineral crystals embedded within the diamond. The diamond contains another diamond in its structure if the crystals are colorless. However, the inclusions can come in various colors, from black to red to green. Colored crystals (especially black crystals) are more noticeable to the naked eye than their colorless counterparts, so you should try to avoid them when shopping for SI1 diamonds.
2. Cloudy Formations
A cloud-inclusion is a term that describes a wide range of crystals or pinpoints grouped closely together. Depending on the type of cloud inclusion, it can degrade the diamond’s appearance.
For instance, clusters of dense clouds may give the gem a hazy appearance and disrupt its light transmission features. But diffused clouds usually won’t negatively affect the gem’s quality.
Pinpoints or pinpricks are tiny black or white crystals embedded within the diamond. They resemble small dots and are visible with a jeweler’s loupe at 10x magnification.
You can usually expect to see many SI1 clarity diamonds with smaller clouds, but if you see a massive cloud, avoid it at all costs.
3. Twinning Wisps
Twinning wisps are a group of clouds, crystals, or pinpricks that develop during the gem’s formation process. The diamond might stop developing during its growth phase due to unsuitable conditions. When it continues growing in a new direction, twinning wisps could occur. Essentially, these inclusions combine different flaws that follow a chaotic pattern.
We recommend avoiding twinning wisps (if possible) when buying an SI1 clarity diamond, as they can become a significant structural issue in the future.
4. Feathers
Feather inclusions are small cracks or fractures within the stone. Depending on the angle, some feathers appear transparent and nearly invisible, while others look white when light hits the diamond.
Severe fractures can affect the gem’s durability, especially if they rise to the surface. When inspecting an SI1 stone with feather inclusions, ensure the imperfections aren’t near the girdle. Avoid gems with inclusions that have an unsightly color.
How are SI1 Inclusions Graded?
Five factors determine whether a diamond will receive an SI1 clarity grade. These are the inclusions’ nature, size, number, relief, and location.
- The inclusion size is arguably the most significant aspect of grading clarity. The larger the inclusions, the more they affect the gem’s appearance.
- The type of inclusion is also a big indicator for gemologists when they grade the diamond. Some types of inclusions will be heavily weighted while others will not.
- The overall location of the inclusion is another indicator for the gemologist. Each zone counts for a different amount. The closer the inclusion is towards the center, the worse the diamond will be graded. But if the inclusion is too close to the edge of the diamond, it will get a much worse grading. Of course, this is all up to the grader’s interpretation, leaving a lot of ambiguity and uncertainty.
- The number of inclusions is another factor that will impact a stone’s clarity and appearance. Lots of little inclusions can add up to a bad grade.
- Relief refers to the contrast between the inclusions and the stone. A higher relief level could make the gem appear darker.
SI1 Clarity vs. SI2 Clarity
SI1 and SI2 gems belong to the SI (Slightly Included) clarity grade but differ dramatically in quality. The SI1 category sits higher on the scale and features far fewer imperfections.
Although SI1 diamonds have inclusions, most are invisible to the naked eye. Jewelers often refer to SI1 clarity and higher when talking about eye-clean stones. SI2 diamonds, though, will always have visible imperfections without using a microscope or jeweler’s loupe.
SI1 Clarity vs. VS2 Clarity
With SI1 diamonds, you can uncover inclusions with a loupe or a microscope. VS2 diamonds only have slight inclusions that are hard to detect at 10x magnification. The VS2 category is above the SI1 class on the grading scale, and these diamonds are more expensive.
If you want the clean appearance of a VS2 gem but are on a tight budget, you can’t go wrong with an eye-clean SI1 diamond.
Tips for Buying SI1 Clarity Diamonds
After everything we’ve mentioned so far, here are our top tips for buying an SI1-clarity diamond.
- When online shopping, look at high-quality images that display the diamond (and the ring) from all angles. You’ll understand its performance when set in a ring and whether the shape suits you.
- Check the Clarity Plot. Ask the jeweler for a clarity plot of the diamond. The clarity plot maps all inclusions and pinpoints their location and nature.
- Work with a Reputable Company. Reputable jewelers will take care of their customers, ensuring that they get a good-quality stone at a good price. Also, before contacting the company, hone your negotiation skills to ensure you get the best possible deal.
- When looking for an eye-clean gem, aim for barely noticeable inclusions at the side of the diamond that don’t touch the edge. Avoid dark crystals and aim for spread-out blemishes that you can cover with the setting.
- Find the Best Shape. If you think the inclusions are too noticeable, ask to see a different diamond shape. Rounds, Ovals, and cushion cuts work wonders for masking imperfections in SI1 diamonds.
Talk to a Diamond Expert
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