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It’s incredibly rare to find a completely flawless diamond. When you do, their relative rarity means that they’ll most likely cost a lot of money. But you don’t have to pay a lot of money to be able to own a good quality ring. In fact, most diamonds contain some imperfections, as these are perfectly natural, sometimes being present in the diamonds from the moment of their creation. What you need to do, as a buyer, is to ensure the diamond you buy isn’t negatively impacted by their inclusions. 

So what about SI1 clarity diamonds? In the wide world of diamond availability, are these the types of clarity grade diamond that you want to invest in? We’ll be covering the advantages and disadvantages of SI1 diamonds, so that you can choose the right diamond with ease. 

What Are SI1 Diamonds?

SI1 diamonds are a specific category of diamond clarity, which is determined by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). The GIA divides diamond clarity into six categories and eleven sub-categories:

  • Flawless (FL)
  • Internally Flawless (IF)
  • Very, Very Slightly Included (VVS) — VVS is divided into two grades, VVS1 and VVS2
  • Very Slightly Included (VS) - VS is also divided into two grades, VS1 and VS2
  • Slightly Included (SI) - SI is divided into SI1 and SI2
  • Included (I) - Included divides into I1, I2, and I3

SI1 diamonds will naturally have inclusions (internal blemishes) that can be seen at 10x magnification. SI1 diamonds may also contain an inclusion that you are able to see with your naked eye, as this clarity grade is no guarantee of an eye-clean diamond (which is an all-important factor to look for when buying). However, you can find SI1 diamonds that are eye-clean, such as this 0.908 ct H SI1 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Diamond offered by Whiteflash, which is a gorgeous example of how good an SI1 can look. 

0.908 h si1 whiteflash diamond

Image courtesy of Whiteflash

si1 clarity diamond - james allen

Image courtesy James Allen

An important thing to remember for diamond buyers of any experience level, is the clarity grade is not the only thing that determines the quality of a diamond. There is also cut and color to consider (alongside carat weight–but this doesn’t necessarily impact diamond quality).

An SI1 diamond, even though it is a lower graded clarity level, can look better than a VS1 diamond if it has a better color and a better cut. Some diamonds can have a yellow color to them, which makes them a little less desirable. 

Also, even though two SI1 diamonds may be graded the same, they can look very different. Skilled diamond graders will assess the number, size, location, and type of inclusion in their grading, which means a diamond will be analyzed in-depth. Their inclusions will never be the same, as no two diamonds are alike. 

The two most important things to look for are a high-quality cut, such as an ideal cut, and whether the diamond is eye-clean. An ideal cut SI1 will be able to deliver the same kind of fantastic light return as a much higher-graded diamond, such as a VS1 or VVS2. 

How to Choose the Right SI1 Diamond

The first thing to remember when considering an SI1 diamond is that SI1 clarity grading does not guarantee the diamond will be eye-clean. That means you really need to do your research on the diamond you’ve found, as well as the diamond retailer you are purchasing from. This is because not all diamond retailers will have the same standards for eye-clean diamonds. 

Because of this, each diamond you look at or inquire about should be assessed individually. Don’t assume because one diamond is also the same clarity grade as another, they will be of an equal quality. When assessing like this, ensure you’re able to find high-resolution diamond imagine and HD videos of the diamond. 

Over all our years of working with diamonds, we’ve learned a number of top considerations which will help you purchase the right SI1:

  • Cut is the most important quality of a diamond. Always choose the best cut SI1 available. These are usually Ideal cut diamonds.
  • AGS or GIA certification is vital. There is no need to look at diamonds that are advertised without either of these. 
  • Consult diamond inclusion plots. These are charts that show where and what type of inclusions are present in a specific diamond. 
  • Consider the shape of your diamond. Round cut diamonds are the best at concealing any inclusions, whereas Baguette or Emerald cuts will show them more easily. Round cuts will also ensure powerful scintillation due to the facet patterning, but this will only be done best by a high-quality cut. 
  • Always buy from a trusted retailer with years of verifiable industry experience.
  • Always check the certifications of the diamond that you are purchasing.
  • Peruse all documentation and diagnostics that have been included in the diamond’s description.

Where To Buy SI1 Diamonds

When looking for any type of diamond clarity, I would recommend beginning with experienced retail sites such as Blue Nile, James Allen and Whiteflash. These are some of the most respected sellers available, each with their own unique approaches and advantages. You can read about these diamond retailers in my reviews section here.

Trust is incredibly important when purchasing something like a diamond. These are big investments and usually done for important reasons, such as engagements, and so finding a retailer you can trust is crucial. 

In my opinion, when it comes to buying diamonds, trust is built through verifiable data. This data should be readily available on a diamond retailer’s site. For example, in their diamond listings, retailers should include:

On top of this, if you can find a retailer who offers consultations and has in-stock diamonds rather than a virtual inventory, so they can have their experts pull diamonds to analyze and verify quality for you, that is all the better. 

SI1 Clarity Diamonds: Diamond Expert’s Thoughts

Ultimately, while SI1 clarity diamonds are not the highest clarity graded, meaning they’re not the highest-quality, they can still be very worthwhile purchases. Because of this grading, they will be far cheaper than other diamonds. 

Remember, those who are looking for the highest-graded diamonds, such as Flawless and Internally Flawless, are usually considering rarity–which can be a highly attractive quality in diamonds, but will also come with incredibly high costs. However, the right diamond will always be the right one for you, which includes considerations for both the inherent qualities of the diamond, and your overall budget.

SI1 diamonds are quite appealing due to their price. However, if you’re buying a diamond for an engagement ring, it may be worth choosing a higher clarity grade, just to ensure that the diamond you’re getting is eye-clean. Consider a VS2 or higher for this kind of jewelry. Remember, finding an eye-clean diamond is the most crucial part of your diamond search. 

Now, if you’re looking for examples, we would recommend the A CUT ABOVE® diamonds by Whiteflash. There is also the Astor by Blue Nile or True Hearts by James Allen, each with their own bespoke beauty offerings and advantages.