Diamond transparency, can this be judged by a 360 video?

[Heidibrooke]

I am upgrading my diamond and have questions about transparency of diamonds. I bought a dud back in 2016 that had great numbers but was a SI1 based upon a cloud, no other inclusions. I’ve been searching and have learned that a clean SI1 is a red flag.

I have a new diamond in production at JA that is also a SI1, which has a plot of inclusions but has been verified eye clean. However, in chatting with a rep yesterday, I was informed that transparency can’t be assessed in their spotlighted 360 videos. This was surprising since I can tell some of their diamonds are foggy/cloudy, not crisp. Now I’m wondering if that’s due to a bad video or focusing error.

I have 30 days to return but it’s a little more challenging with an upgrade.

I feel like this diamond has good transparency but after speaking to that rep, I’m not sure. Was she right about not being able to see it in a video? I was feeling good about my choice.

1.08 Carat round diamond

This True Hearts TM diamond, 1.08 carat G color si1 clarity has ideal proportions and a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

 

[tyty333]

She is right IMO. You cant always see it in videos. There are other clues to look for though as you pointed out. SI2s with no
visible inclusions. Grade based on clouds not shown. You make a good point because I'm pretty sure not everyone recognizes there
could be a possible issue.

Ask the rep about the transparency on your stone. Hopefully, when it comes in they can give you an answer.
(I dont think its going to be an issue...but see my first paragraph!)

 

[Heidibrooke]

She is right IMO. You cant always see it in videos. There are other clues to look for though as you pointed out. SI2s with no
visible inclusions. Grade based on clouds not shown. You make a good point because I'm pretty sure not everyone recognizes there
could be a possible issue.

Ask the rep about the transparency on your stone. Hopefully, when it comes in they can give you an answer.
(I dont think its going to be an issue...but see my first paragraph!)

Thank you for your thoughts. I don’t think it will be an issue with this diamond because it has several inclusions that justified its SI1 rating. At least that’s what I’m hoping.

 

[Heidibrooke]

I’m sure there is a reason, but I wonder if transparency will ever become something that is graded by GIA or AGS.

 

[Heidibrooke]

This diamond, for example. Is this a cloudy diamond or just a bad video?

1.01 Carat round diamond

This True Hearts TM diamond, 1.01 carat G color si1 clarity has ideal proportions and a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

 

[flyingpig]

You cannot assess cloudiness or haziness with the JA video which is taken in a low intensity diffused light environment.
You need a relative strong and direct light source. Assessing diamond's transparency is not different from checking glasswares, iphone screen or lenses for cleanliness, or a glass of water for purity.

For an example, if a glass of water is contaminated with 1/4 drop of milk, you will not even notice in most cases. But take it to a strong light source, you will see scattering of light and cloudiness very easily.

And check the characteric of light return. The light reflection off of a clean mirror is very different from the light reflection of a finely scratched or dirty mirror.

After all, diamonds are just crystals.

 

[Heidibrooke]

You cannot assess cloudiness or haziness with the JA video which is taken in a low intensity diffused light environment.
You need a relative strong and direct light source. Assessing diamond's transparency is not different from checking glasswares, iphone screen or lenses for cleanliness, or a glass of water for purity.

For an example, if a glass of water is contaminated with 1/4 drop of milk, you will not even notice in most cases. But take it to a strong light source, you will see scattering of light and cloudiness very easily.

Makes sense. So the diamonds that look extremely hazy/cloudy on JA are probably just bad videos.

 

[flyingpig]

Makes sense. So the diamonds that look extremely hazy/cloudy on JA are probably just bad videos.

Could be focusing issue, lighting issue, cleaning issue, diamond clarity issue. Can be anything.

 

[Heidibrooke]

Could be focusing issue, lighting issue, cleaning issue, diamond clarity issue. Can be anything.

I watched a great video by Jonathan on GOG about how diffused lighting can mask cloudiness/haziness in a diamond. I’m feeling uneasy about the diamond I have coming. I have asked them to take a look at it and comment on the transparency now that they have it in their possession. There’s just some reason that diamond has been on the market for 21 months. I’m just sick over the whole process. I’m glad clouds aren’t the sole determining factor in the SI1 grading and it may turn out to be a fantastic stone for the price, but it’s the unknown.

 

[tyty333]

This diamond, for example. Is this a cloudy diamond or just a bad video?

1.01 Carat round diamond

This True Hearts TM diamond, 1.01 carat G color si1 clarity has ideal proportions and a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

Your diamond and this diamond are part of the True Hearts Collection which are their

"PREMIER COLLECTION OF PERFECTLY CUT DIAMONDS"​

which are supposed to "take sparkle to a whole other level!"

I hope that means that JA has already checked them for transparency issues but that would be an assumption on my part and
I'm too lazy to go check for sure.

 

[Heidibrooke]

Your diamond and this diamond are part of the True Hearts Collection which are their

"PREMIER COLLECTION OF PERFECTLY CUT DIAMONDS"​

which are supposed to "take sparkle to a whole other level!"

I hope that means that JA has already checked them for transparency issues but that would be an assumption on my part and
I'm too lazy to go check for sure.

Thank you. Yes, you would think. I went with a True Hearts diamond because it included an idealscope image. I should have done a lot more research on cloud inclusions.

 

[AnastasiaBeaverhausen]

Your diamond and this diamond are part of the True Hearts Collection which are their

"PREMIER COLLECTION OF PERFECTLY CUT DIAMONDS"​

which are supposed to "take sparkle to a whole other level!"

I hope that means that JA has already checked them for transparency issues but that would be an assumption on my part and
I'm too lazy to go check for sure.

Lol, the bold font and caps lock are just *chef's kiss*

 

[Heidibrooke]

Lol, the bold font and caps lock are just *chef's kiss*

Not sure what you mean?

 

[AnastasiaBeaverhausen]

Not sure what you mean?

O sorry! It's nothing about the diamond itself! I just felt that the language JA used to describe this collection coupled with the font/capitalization used started to sound a bit like a car salesman. E.g. "NO MONEY DOWN TODAY! BEST PRICES IN TOWN!"

 

[Ceilimom]

I am upgrading my diamond and have questions about transparency of diamonds. I bought a dud back in 2016 that had great numbers but was a SI1 based upon a cloud, no other inclusions. I’ve been searching and have learned that a clean SI1 is a red flag.

I have a new diamond in production at JA that is also a SI1, which has a plot of inclusions but has been verified eye clean. However, in chatting with a rep yesterday, I was informed that transparency can’t be assessed in their spotlighted 360 videos. This was surprising since I can tell some of their diamonds are foggy/cloudy, not crisp. Now I’m wondering if that’s due to a bad video or focusing error.

I have 30 days to return but it’s a little more challenging with an upgrade.

I feel like this diamond has good transparency but after speaking to that rep, I’m not sure. Was she right about not being able to see it in a video? I was feeling good about my choice.

1.08 Carat round diamond

This True Hearts TM diamond, 1.08 carat G color si1 clarity has ideal proportions and a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

I would keep looking, I see black spots on the video. The plot shows twining wisps with more not shown.

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

This diamond, for example. Is this a cloudy diamond or just a bad video?

1.01 Carat round diamond

This True Hearts TM diamond, 1.01 carat G color si1 clarity has ideal proportions and a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

Bad video I think - looks to be out of focus a bit?
The stone with the twinning looks OK to me. And the ideal-scope image is nice!

 

[Heidibrooke]

Bad video I think - looks to be out of focus a bit?
The stone with the twinning looks OK to me. And the ideal-scope image is nice!

Thanks Garry, for taking the time to look at the video and comment. I truly value your opinion!

 

[Heidibrooke]

I would keep looking, I see black spots on the video. The plot shows twining wisps with more not shown.

It has been verified eye clean and the idealscope image looks good. It’s a good value (just under $6k) if it’s truly eye clean and doesn’t have any transparency issues. Worst case, I will have to return it and start fresh.

 

[AnastasiaBeaverhausen]

It has been verified eye clean and the idealscope image looks good. It’s a good value (just under $6k) if it’s truly eye clean and doesn’t have any transparency issues. Worst case, I will have to return it and start fresh.

Sounds like it's worth seeing in-person!

 

[Sezacv]

Could be focusing issue, lighting issue, cleaning issue, diamond clarity issue. Can be anything.

I am wondering what will the ASET scope and Idealscope image looks like for a diamond with super ideal cut but with intense clouds.

I mean, could the image of these scopes tell us if the inclusion is affecting the light performance, even when the diamond is cut within the super ideal range which should give a beautiful scope images.

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

I am wondering what will the ASET scope and Idealscope image looks like for a diamond with super ideal cut but with intense clouds.

I mean, could the image of these scopes tell us if the inclusion is affecting the light performance, even when the diamond is cut within the super ideal range which should give a beautiful scope images.

Best not to use my scopes for other than their purpose

 

[Heidibrooke]

I am wondering what will the ASET scope and Idealscope image looks like for a diamond with super ideal cut but with intense clouds.

I mean, could the image of these scopes tell us if the inclusion is affecting the light performance, even when the diamond is cut within the super ideal range which should give a beautiful scope images.

I don’t believe so. I think diamonds with clouds mostly appear cloudy in certain lighting. I’m guessing that’s why a cloudy diamond could return a beautiful idealscope image in the right lighting. At least that’s my limited understanding of it.