I2, I3, and Salt & Pepper Diamonds: Eye-Clean or a Terrible Mistake?

When it comes to affordability and character, I2 and I3 diamonds offer a unique option for those willing to embrace visible inclusions in exchange for a striking and budget-friendly stone.

Navigate This Guide:

• 8 Quick Tips Navigating the World of I2 and I3 Diamond Engagement Rings: JewelerAI Buyer’s Guide
• Introduction to I2, I3 Diamonds
• The 4Cs of Diamond Quality: A Closer Look
• Understanding I2 and I3 Diamonds: Clarity Matters
•  I1 Diamonds: The Sweet Spot in Clarity
• The Unique Appeal of Salt and Pepper Diamonds
• Our Expert Take
•  7 FAQs

Before we dive deeper into the specifics, here are some practical tips to help guide your decision-making process:

8 Quick Tips Navigating the World of I2 and I3 Diamond Engagement Rings: JewelerAI Buyer’s Guide

• Tip 1: Prioritize Cut Quality

The cut of an I2 or I3 diamond is crucial. A well-cut diamond can significantly enhance the stone’s brilliance, making inclusions less noticeable. Opt for cuts with high-light reflection, such as the brilliant round, to maximize sparkle and mask imperfections. Finding diamond with inclusion shown on the table of a diamond is a priority. 

• Tip 2: Evaluate Inclusion Patterns

Examine the type and placement of inclusions in I2 and I3 diamonds. Some inclusions, if strategically located, can be less visible or even contribute to the diamond’s unique charm. Choose patterns that don’t significantly impact the stone’s overall aesthetics.

• Tip 3: Assess the Stone’s Color

Color plays a vital role in the appearance of I2 and I3 diamonds. A slight color tint can camouflage some inclusions, improving the stone’s visual appeal. Consider warmer colored diamonds that might make imperfections less discernible.

• Tip 4: Size and Shape Considerations

The size and shape of the diamond influence the visibility of inclusions. Larger diamonds or certain shapes like emerald or Asscher may highlight flaws, while smaller, round, or oval shapes might hide them more effectively.

• Tip 5: Examine Symmetry and Polish

Inspect the diamond for symmetry and polish quality. Good symmetry and a high-quality polish can enhance light performance, drawing attention away from inclusions and adding to the stone’s sparkle and visual appeal.

• Tip 6: Consider the Ring’s Overall Design

Take into account the entire design of the ring. An elaborate setting or additional design elements can draw the eye away from the diamond’s flaws, making a lower clarity grade more acceptable in the context of the ring’s overall beauty.

• Tip 7: View in Varied Lighting Conditions

Observe the diamond in different lighting environments. This practice will give you a realistic understanding of how the diamond will appear in everyday situations, outside the idealized lighting of a jewelry store.

• Tip 8: Factor in Personal Preference and Lifestyle

Reflect on your personal style and daily activities. An I2 or I3 diamond might be suitable if you prefer a more unique, character-filled stone or if your lifestyle doesn’t necessitate a flawless gem. Your comfort with the diamond’s appearance should guide your decision.

Now that you’ve got these practical tips, use Jeweler AI below to find the perfect engagement ring that suits your style and budget:

Introduction to I2, I3 Diamonds

Diamond clarity is never a cut-and-dried subject. There’s no ‘right’ place to be on the clarity scale because beautiful and eye-clean (meaning giving the appearance of flawlessness) are available at virtually every grade on the clarity scale.

Then again, there’s one place (or, according to some diamond grading labs, two places) where you won’t find a great selection of eye-clean diamonds: the I2 and I3 clarity grades. 

That doesn’t necessarily mean you won’t find anything there worth investing in. It just depends on who you are, what you like, and what you envision for your engagement ring. 

Here’s what you need to know. 

The 4Cs of Diamond Quality: A Closer Look

The four Cs, as you may already know, run as follows: Cut, Color, Clarity and Carat Weight. Color and Clarity refer specifically to the diamond’s inherent traits – i.e., what it came out of the ground with. Cut and, to a certain extent, Carat are both determined by the humans who turn the diamond from a rough stone into a fit-for-fine jewelry piece. 

Clarity is all about the presence (or absence) of inclusions – often minor flaws beneath a diamond’s surface that can present as black spots, clouds, hairline cracks or other unwanted features. 

A higher clarity grade means fewer inclusions – or, in the case of the FL and IF grades, none at all. 

Many inclusions are too small to be seen without a magnification tool, and only diamond graders tend to look at a diamond in that way. This is why you can shop further down the clarity scale (shown below) without signing yourself up for a poor, visibly included stone. 

Understanding I2 and I3 Diamonds: Clarity Matters

I2 and I3 are the lowest grades on the GIA’s clarity scale, which we consider to be far and away the best scale to use when shopping for diamonds. The GIA have the highest standards for grading in the industry, and you can trust that the clarity grade you focus on – provided it has been given by the GIA – will meet your expectations for quality. 

All diamonds are graded under 10x magnification, but when you’re right down at the low end of the chart, there’s a good chance you’ll see those inclusions with the naked eye. 

Defining I2 and I3 Diamond Clarity

According to the GIA’s own definitions, clarity grades of I1, I2, and I3 mean that inclusions are not just detectable under 10x magnification; it means they are obvious under 10x magnification. I3 is of course more severe than I2, which is worse than I1. 

The Impact of Inclusions on Beauty and Brilliance

For most people, a visible inclusion within a diamond is a dealbreaker. At best, it signals the diamond’s lower value and inferiority; at worst, it can impact light performance (sparkle) and fail to impress in the way that only a diamond can. 

For some people, however, inclusions enhance a diamond’s beauty. While these people may be in the minority, it’s fair to say that their reasoning is pretty romantic. Those inclusions are part of the diamond’s unique fingerprint and tell a story of its ancient formation under the earth’s surface under unimaginable conditions.  

I1 Diamonds: The Sweet Spot in Clarity

This one comes with a big caveat. I1 diamond can be a great choice if you’re looking for a smaller size of diamond. 

Just because I1 is part of the lowest classification on the GIA’s clarity scale, doesn’t mean every single diamond is going to be visually poor. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. 

You won’t struggle to find a good selection of eye-clean diamonds in the I1 range so long as you’re looking below the 1 carat range – ideally, below around 0.8 carats just to be sure. In smaller diamonds, the facets are also smaller, meaning it’s a lot easier to mask minor inclusions behind all that fire and brilliance any one carat diamond is capable of creating. 

That’s the other caveat: to feel comfortable investing in an I1 diamond, you’ll want to make sure cut quality is as strong as possible – no lower than Very Good on the GIA’s scale. 

So, yes, I1 Diamonds can be a sweet spot – but don’t take that for granted. 

Why Choose I1 Over I2 and I3?

I1 is the best of the Included grades, which offers the strongest possible guarantee of an eye-clean diamond, which is what the overwhelming majority of shoppers want. 

Finding the Perfect Eye-Clean I1 Diamond

As we mentioned, focused on a great Cut grade – Excellent or Very Good. Aim for a color grade that falls within the Near Colorless range, which covers G, H, I, and J color diamonds. This way, all your effort to find an eye-clean diamond at the I1 clarity grade won’t be undone by a yellowed diamond. 

Again, focus on smaller diamonds if you’re shopping from the I1 range. While I1 can be a great grade to aim for, it doesn’t apply to every diamond on the market. Those looking to invest in a bigger diamond need to accept that the 4Cs will need to climb higher up the scale as a result. 

The Unique Appeal of Salt and Pepper Diamonds

Diamonds with clearly visible inclusions – particularly a significant cluster of black spots – are sometimes referred to as salt and pepper diamonds, simply because they can look as though someone has sprinkled seasoning over the diamond’s surface.

For most people, this would be a short, sharp ‘No’. But, for those who like seeing the diamond’s unique fingerprint as a story of their formation, salt and pepper diamonds do hold a unique appeal. 

What Sets Salt and Pepper Diamonds Apart?

Salt and pepper diamonds are totally unique. No two diamonds will ever form with the exact same pattern of inclusions underneath their surface, and that is pretty easy to romanticize.

True, all natural diamonds are unique, and they all have inclusions – even if they are undetectable even under 10x magnification. But salt and pepper diamonds wear their unique qualities on their sleeves (metaphorically speaking, of course), which can be very attractive to some people. 

Comparing Value and Quality

Because salt and pepper diamonds have their own name and appeal, vendors are still able to charge a premium for them – more than you would typically expect to pay for a visibly included diamond, anyway. 

Not all visibly included diamonds are marketed as salt and pepper diamonds, of course. Some diamonds feature maybe one or two inclusions – not enough to be called ‘salt and pepper’, and, as a result, not as appealing to shoppers. 

For the overwhelming majority of people, however, paying a premium for a visibly included diamond just isn’t worth it. Most of us want to find a stone that represents great value for money while giving the appearance of being an invaluable, flawless diamond. That offers far more, for less. 

Our Expert Take

The Included clarity classification as a complex one. While technically it’s the worst of all the options, there are still some great diamonds to pick from – provided you understand the constraints of the I1 grade. 

Salt and pepper diamonds are a good alternative, but you’ll want to ask yourself whether you’d really prefer to save a little money for a visibly lower quality stone or spend a little more on one that appears to be far closer to flawless than it really is. 

For most people, the choice is simple: focus on the clarity grade that offers the best range of eye-clean choices for their chosen carat weight. 

7 FAQs

• Q: What’s the main difference between I2 and I3 diamonds?
• A: The primary difference lies in the number and visibility of inclusions. I3 diamonds have more and larger inclusions than I2, making the flaws more apparent and affecting the stone’s clarity and brilliance.
• Q: Are I2 and I3 diamonds considered ethical choices?
• A: Yes, like other diamonds, I2 and I3 grades can be ethically sourced. It’s essential to buy from reputable sellers who adhere to ethical mining and sourcing practices.
• Q: Can inclusions in I2 and I3 diamonds be unique or desirable?
• A: Yes, some buyers find the unique inclusions in I2 and I3 diamonds appealing, as they can add character and uniqueness to the stone, especially in less traditional settings.
• Q: How do I2 and I3 diamonds fare in terms of investment value?
• A: I2 and I3 diamonds typically have lower resale values compared to higher clarity diamonds. They are often purchased for their aesthetic value rather than as an investment.
• Q: Is it advisable to buy I2 or I3 diamonds online?
• A: Purchasing I2 or I3 diamonds online can be a good option if the retailer provides high-resolution images and detailed information about the stone’s characteristics. Always buy from reputable online dealers.
• Q: How does the color grade affect the appearance of I2 and I3 diamonds?
• A: The color grade can influence how visible the inclusions are. For instance, a diamond with a slight color tint may help mask some inclusions, slightly improving the overall appearance.
• Q: Are there specific jewelry designs that work best with I2 or I3 diamonds?
• A: Yes, certain designs, like vintage or rustic styles, can complement the unique look of I2 and I3 diamonds. Intricate settings can also help distract from the inclusions.

Unravel the beauty of I2/I3 diamonds with Jeweler AI – Your ultimate guide to finding the perfect engagement ring!