SI3 Clarity Diamonds: An Ultimate Guide

SI3 Clarity Diamonds: In the world of diamonds, clarity is paramount in determining their value and beauty. If you’re a discerning diamond shopper, you’re about to explore the realm of SI3 clarity diamonds and why they may not align with your standards for quality.

Welcome to our exploration of the SI3 clarity diamonds guide. While diamonds are undeniably alluring, SI3 clarity diamonds have unique characteristics that may fall short of expectations for those seeking perfection in their gemstones.

Whether you’re a seasoned diamond enthusiast or new to the world of gemstones, this Brightguide article will help you make informed choices when selecting the perfect diamond for your jewelry.

Join us on this enlightening journey through the world of SI3 clarity diamonds. By the end of this guide, you’ll have the knowledge to assess diamonds with discernment and make choices that align with your standards for quality and brilliance.

What is SI3 diamond?

The broader diamond clarity tier, which also includes flawless (FL) and SI2 diamonds, includes SI3 diamonds. How many flaws or inclusions are present in the diamond determines its clarity. When choosing a desirable diamond for your engagement ring, it is crucial to be aware of the differences between these grades. An SI3 diamond is one grade below an SI2.

SI3 diamonds are less expensive than diamonds with higher clarity grades, like SI1 or flawless (FL). This makes them a good choice for people who don’t want to pay the high price that comes with top-level clarity ratings.

How to read the SI3 clarity rating?

The diamond clarity scale has many grades, and the SI3 clarity rating is one of them. This rating helps show whether or not internal inclusions are present. There are different levels of internal inclusions in SI3 diamonds, which you need to understand. These flaws can be as different as the diamonds themselves, and it’s important to understand them when judging this grade.

What are these types of inclusions?

Here are the types of inclusions you may need to know to better understand the clarity of S13 diamonds:

1. Minor Inclusions: Internal inclusions in SI3 diamonds are common. These are small flaws that might not be obvious at first glance, which makes them a good choice for people who want a balance between price and clarity.
2. Common Inclusions: Small pinpoint spots, wisps, and other small flaws are common internal inclusions in SI3 diamonds. These traits are common for this level of clarity.
3. Natural Inclusions: SI3 diamonds often have natural inclusions that formed when the diamond was formed deep in the earth. These features are unique to each stone and make it even more unique.
4. Notable Included Items: There is some variation within the SI3 grading system despite the fact that most SI3 diamonds have inclusions that cannot be seen without a microscope
5. Slight Inclusions (SI2): The same type of inclusions as SI1, but more numerous, larger, and easier to see.

Getting a SI3 Diamond Grading Certificate

You can look at a SI3 diamond’s diamond certificate, which is also called a lab report, to learn more about how clear it is. This paper gives a detailed description of the diamond’s features, including its clarity grade and a diamond clarity plot that shows where the stone’s flaws are located.

When you’re new to the world of diamonds, talking to diamond experts or diamond graders can be very helpful. These experts can help you choose the perfect diamond for your engagement ring or other jewelry by answering your diamond questions and offering invaluable advice.

Why consider SI2 or SI1?

You might look into SI2 or even SI1 clarity diamonds if you want to move up from an SI3 diamond. Inclusions in SI3 diamonds may be clear enough to see with the naked eye. This makes them different from diamonds with higher clarity grades, like FL and SI1, where there are no inclusions visible.

SI3 diamonds typically have slightly more noticeable inclusions than SI2 diamonds, which may also have obvious flaws. It’s important to keep in mind that different grading standards, like those used by James Allen and Blue Nile, may have slightly different inclusion types. These flaws could be as small as pinpoints or as big as large cracks.

SI3 diamonds are different from most diamonds in this group because they don’t have flaws that can be seen with the naked eye. SI3 diamonds have flaws that can be seen when they are enlarged.

What the GIA Has to Say About Diamonds with a SI3 Clarity

The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) has a lot to say about SI3 clarity diamonds and where they fall on the GIA Diamond Clarity Scale. Since the GIA is the most respected organization in the diamond world, it has a lot to say about this subject. In their official diamond clarity scale, the GIA does not list SI3 clarity diamonds as a separate grade. This is what they say:

• The GIA says there is no need for a new clarity grade between SI2 and I1.
• Stores that sell SI3 diamonds are lying to customers by adding a grade to the SI diamond tier, which can lead them astray.
• Trustworthy labs shouldn’t issue diamond-grading reports with SI3 clarity grades.
• SI3 diamonds have visible flaws and aren’t considered eye-clean, which makes them less desirable to people who want higher-quality diamonds.

Because of the GIA’s position and knowledge, buyers should know the facts when picking out a diamond and give more weight to reputable grading organizations like the GIA.

Why Do Some Diamond Labs Offer SI3 Diamonds?

There are a lot of gem labs that grade diamonds, like GIA, IGI, EGL, AGS, and a bunch of “in house” certifiers. But not all of them are the same! Despite the fact that the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) does not recognize SI3 clarity diamonds as a separate grade, some grading labs do offer SI3 diamonds for different reasons.

These labs might decide to sell SI3 diamonds to appeal to a certain group of people who value price over higher clarity grades. By selling SI3 diamonds, these labs give people who want to buy a diamond but don’t have a lot of money an option.

A store would only sell you a stone with an SI3 diamond clarity grade to trick you. It’s impossible to avoid. It looks better to call a SI diamond a grade instead of just an I1 diamond. But if the most important diamond grading report in the world doesn’t give these clarity grades, then no other trustworthy lab should.

In the end, don’t buy a diamond ring from a store that says it has SI3 clarity.

Why should you not buy an SI3 diamond engagement ring?

Here are some reasons why you shouldn’t buy a SI3 diamond engagement ring:

There is no difference between an SI3 diamond and an I1 clarity diamond. 

• Diamonds with visible inclusions, such as SI3 clarity diamonds and I1, are regarded as lower quality.
• The Gemological Institute of America (GIA), which is the most respected organization in the diamond industry, does not recognize SI3 as a distinct clarity grade.
• Even though they are the same quality, SI3 diamonds often cost more than I1 diamonds.
• People who want better quality and looks should choose higher-clarity grades.
• It is always best to stay away from diamonds with an SI3 grade.
• The SI3 grade means that the diamond is not very good.
• The SI3 grade is mostly used to trick people into buying diamonds that aren’t very good.
• Good labs like GIA don’t recognize the SI3 grade, and customers shouldn’t either.
• An EGL diamond with a subpar grade, like an SI3 grade, might confuse a customer.

It is important to look past the misleading SI3 clarity grade when looking for beautiful diamonds. These diamonds are pretty much the same as I1 clarity diamonds, but they might cost more. You should choose diamonds with higher clarity grades if you want to get the most for your money.

SI3 diamonds aren’t eye-clean diamonds yet.

SI3 diamonds are still not a good deal and are not eye clean diamonds for a number of reasons.

A flawless diamond is free of all inclusions and blemishes only under 10X magnification. However, visible flaws and obvious inclusions are present in SI3 diamonds, and they can be seen with the naked eye.

The diamond clarity scale doesn’t recognize them as a real clarity grade, and neither do reputable diamond grading laboratories like the GIA. For better quality and look, it’s best to choose diamonds with higher clarity grades, like an SI2 or an SI1 diamond. It’s not a good deal to buy SI3 diamonds for more than I1 diamonds.

SI3 Diamonds tend to be more expensive than I1-graded diamonds

Because they cost more than I1-graded diamonds, SI3 diamonds aren’t a good deal for people who want to get the most for their money. This is why:

• Reputable diamond authorities like the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) do not recognize SI3 diamonds as a real clarity grade.
• GIA would rate an SI3 diamond as I clarity, which means it is of lower quality.
• SI3 diamonds don’t qualify as “eye clean” because they have visible flaws.
• Value-wise, it doesn’t make sense to pay more for a below-average diamond.

The quality of SI3 diamonds is about the same as I1 clarity diamonds. You can see that both grades are lower quality and may have visible inclusions. You should pick a higher clarity grade, like SI1 or SI2, for better quality and value for your money.

Tips to get a good deal on SI Clarity Diamonds

Here are some things you can do instead of buying SI3 diamonds if you want to get a good deal on SI clarity diamonds.

Watch 360-degree videos 

We can easily find eye clean diamonds and SI clarity diamonds at a good price by using 360-degree videos. With the help of this technology, we can get a good look at the diamond’s clarity and see if there are any inclusions or visible flaws. Here are three reasons why 360-degree videos can help you find quality diamonds:

• Inspection in detail: Flaws or inclusions are visible at 10X magnification, according to the GIA and AGS Clarity Grading Scale. With 360-degree videos, we can zoom in and look at the diamond from all sides, allowing us to spot any surface flaws or dark inclusions that might change the way it looks.
• Better Comparison: We can compare the color grades, diamond shapes, and overall quality of multiple diamonds by watching 360-degree videos of each one. We can then make an informed choice and find the best diamond in the SI clarity range.
• Transparency and Assurance: 360 videos make the diamond business more open because they let us see the diamond’s real condition before we buy it. Also, diamonds that come with grading reports from trustworthy labs give you even more peace of mind.

Read the return policy before you buy something.

When buying SI clarity diamonds, it’s important to look at the return policies and see if there are better deals available elsewhere.  Look for online diamond stores with a good return policy that lets you check out the diamond and send it back if you’re not happy with it.

You might also want to look into other SI stones from trustworthy diamond sellers. Look for diamonds that have received a reputable diamond grading laboratory’s grade, such as the GIA, to ensure quality and accuracy. It’s possible that these other SI stones are a better deal and give you more choices.

You can make an informed choice and find the best deal on SI-clarity diamonds by carefully reading through return policies and looking at other options.

Final Thoughts

Finally, when looking at diamonds with an SI3 clarity grade, it’s important to pay attention to what reputable grading organizations like the GIA say. Some people might be interested in buying a SI3 diamond, but it’s important to know what this clarity grade means and what problems it can cause.

• Internal Graining and Surface Graining: Internal and surface graining are common in SI3 diamonds, and they can affect the overall appearance of clarity. These flaws aren’t desirable and can make the diamond look less beautiful.
• Surface Blemishes and Pinpoint Inclusions: SI3 diamonds may also have surface blemishes and pinpoint inclusions that are visible to the naked eye. These flaws can make the stone less clear and less beautiful overall.
• Durability Risk and Cleavage Plane: Because SI3 diamonds have a cleavage plane, they are more likely to have durability problems. This could make the diamond more likely to break or chip, which would shorten its life and value.

When you think about these things, it’s clear that diamonds with an SI3 clarity grade might not be as good or valuable as diamonds with higher clarity grades. With SI1 clarity grades, you are more likely to find eye clean diamonds.

Looking for a wide selection of diamonds with superior clarity grades and expert guidance? Explore Blue Nile’s collection to find the perfect diamond that meets your standards of quality and beauty.