SI1 Visible Inclusion with IGI Report - Please Help :(

[readeranon]

I have been engaged for 5 days now and I couldn''t have been happier with the ring. It has an IGI report with no plots shown, 1.03 carat, D color, SI1 clarity, but after I cleaned it with some detergent and a toothbrush, I notice an very, very visible feather inclusion visible from the table, so much so I was convinced I cracked it from the inside!

Now that I know it''s there, I can see it from 9 inches away even without my glasses! To further complicate things, my fiance bought the ring overseas and waited for 7 months before he proposed, I doubt the jeweler would want to do anything about it.

Here''s a picture of it and in some light, it is a solid, pure white color, almost like a spot of white paint:

I feel absolutely awful as my fiance went to a great deal of effort to get a stone with a certificate so we can have the assurance. I know IGI can be "soft" in their grading, but SI1 should be "eye clean" viewing unaided from the table by all accounts. I am so disappointed in them as I don''t have a 10X microscope nor "the experienced eye of laboratory gemologists", yet we have put our faith in IGI''s professional evaluations which have fallen very short.

I am considering having it independently appraised, but if the appraiser agrees it should be a lesser grade than an SI1, then what? Is it even possible to take IGI to task?

I don''t know what to do, I am heartbroken and am desperately seeking any comments, advice or assistance

any suggestions, any feedback, anything at all would be so greatly appreciated.

 

[Lorelei]

Hi there!

I have heard this situation so many times before so don't worry! First thing, not all SI clarity diamonds are eyeclean, this is the nature of the beast, plus the matter of eyecleanliness is subjective anyway, eyesights vary, many factors can affect this. Also it is natural to be able to see an inclusion easily once you spot it as your eyes automatically travel to it!

This thread explains and discusses the matter of eyecleanliness in diamonds and it might be helpful to you.

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/clarity-eye-clean-definition-interpretation-and-taste.30483/

I don't think you can do anything about it as in returning the ring or disputing the grade, diamond grading is subjective and done by humans so there again can be variables. You could certainly get an independant appraiser to take a look at it for you, it might give you some peace of mind concerning the inclusion.

Congrats on your engagement, I am sorry you are feeling bad but I would really suggest you get an appraiser to look at the diamond to give you their professional opinion on what you are seeing , you won't have damaged it by cleaning it.

https://www.pricescope.com/appr_list.aspx

Also is it possible there is some schmutz stuck on the diamond or prongs? I know this is a long shot but thought it might be worth mentioning. I can see a white area where the first arrow is pointing, is that what you mean, like a white spot? Otherwise I can't see anything else too well.

 

[readeranon]

Thank you so much for the prompt reply and your congrats on my engagement Lorelei.

Sorry - I should have explained the pics though! In the left pic, I have highlighted the size and location of the inclusion in red and on the right is the exact same pic with the highlight removed. It is a lot whiter and distinguishable in real life, but as my fiance insisted on a D colored stone (God bless him), I''d imagine it is less obvious than if it was in a warmer stone.

I didn''t think there would be much we could do about it either *sigh*, but I had to ask for another opinion. I am so grateful for the link to the info on "eye clean" and your words of comfort as they have put my mind at ease - particularly your assurance that it wouldn''t have been my doing while cleaning it as that was the part that freaked me out the most!

I''m typically VERY clumsy, the thought that I have broken the most beautiful thing I have ever been given crushed me. It wasn''t until I pulled the photos back up from the very first day and started noticing it in them that I realised it wasn''t me. It''s definitely not schmutz though ...

After reading your post, I probably won''t have it appraised; I think it may make it worse if the appraiser agreed with me.

Thank you again for your informative and kind reply, you have no idea how much better I feel about it

 

[Lorelei]

Oh sweetheart I am so glad I was able to help a little. I see the inclusion now you have pointed it out, I have one similar in my ring on the edge! There is no way you would have done that by cleaning the diamond so don''t worry about that! One bonus with this inclusion is it is white, sometimes in SI clarities you can get dark inclusions which are very obvious, those can really drive you bonkers!

I rather like inclusions in diamonds, they remind me of the geological origins of the stones and that they were made by nature. Also I am fond of them because if you ever need to have your diamond worked on and you leave it somewhere, you will be able to identify your stone easily because of it.

I hope this helped a little more - enjoy your lovely diamond and being engaged!

 

[readeranon]

Loreli, thank you - it certainly has helped more because I know now that I have a beautiful, unique gift that is both my fiance and the ring on my finger. I am sincerely grateful

Thank you!

 

[PamelaBling]

I agree, the ring is beautiful and the inclusion makes it yours. Nearly every diamond has characteristics that make it unique. The good news is no one would ever see it unless they had eyes like a wolf! Don''t worry about and just enjoy how much it sparkles. I can see that it is in a very pretty six prong setting, I bet it just looks gorgeous!

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 6/18/2009 10:40:24 PM
Author: readeranon
Loreli, thank you - it certainly has helped more because I know now that I have a beautiful, unique gift that is both my fiance and the ring on my finger. I am sincerely grateful

Thank you!

I am so touched that you took the time to post this and that I helped to make you feel better about things! Enjoy your lovely ring and being engaged!!!

If you have time, I would love to see some more pics of your ring please!

 

[readeranon]

Sorry it''s taken me a while to respond, I''ve just been sifting through my pics to find some really nice ones to post ... I kinda went overboard with the happy snaps!

It''s got six tiny prongs and a knife edge band - we did check out the Tiffany setting, but the band was a little chunky to me and the prongs are bigger, so my fiance had it made, he got it spot on! The ring is a size 7, I''m probably a little bigger, but with being clumsy and all, I prefer it being a little smaller - I''ve lost rings in sinks and bins before

<BR?

I still can''t get over how white it is, I''d never trade in a "D" color for anything! Ladies, please let me know what you think - I really value your opinion and have to say I''ve never seen a more supportive and informative community. I''m so glad I''ve found this forum, you''ve both been so wonderful.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 6/20/2009 9:34:54 PM
Author: readeranon
Sorry it''s taken me a while to respond, I''ve just been sifting through my pics to find some really nice ones to post ... I kinda went overboard with the happy snaps!

It''s got six tiny prongs and a knife edge band - we did check out the Tiffany setting, but the band was a little chunky to me and the prongs are bigger, so my fiance had it made, he got it spot on! The ring is a size 7, I''m probably a little bigger, but with being clumsy and all, I prefer it being a little smaller - I''ve lost rings in sinks and bins before

<BR?

I still can''t get over how white it is, I''d never trade in a ''D'' color for anything! Ladies, please let me know what you think - I really value your opinion and have to say I''ve never seen a more supportive and informative community. I''m so glad I''ve found this forum, you''ve both been so wonderful.

WOW!!! Its beautiful and I love the knife edge setting too, you have a gorgeous diamond and classic ring there, wear in the best of health and happiness always!!!