What are I2 diamonds?

ByCarl A. Jones, GIA GG

When man first started digging for stone to make tools, he stumbled upon shiny stones we now called diamonds. Ancient writings show that diamonds have been collected and treasured throughout history. In the first century, Pliny, the Roman stated, “Diamonds are the most valuable, not only of precious stones but of all things in this world.”

We know the phrases “Diamonds are a girl’s best friend. And the clever marketing catchphrase “Diamonds are forever”. Diamonds are rare stones that come in many sizes, shapes, and colors.

You may have heard of the Cullinan Diamond. It was mined in South Africa in 1905. It is the largest clear cut diamond in the world. Unfortunately, it is not for sale. The Second Star of Africa is set in the Crown Jewels and belongs to the Queen of England. They are priceless diamonds. But what do you need to know when setting out to purchase diamonds?

What are I2 diamonds and should I buy them?

If you are in the market to buy a diamond, educate yourself about the different grades of diamonds. It is easy to get duped into buying an inferior diamond. It can be confusing and overwhelming for the inexperienced diamond shopper.

For shoppers on a small budget, diamond clarity I2 might seem like a good deal. These low-quality diamonds can be very cheap. This begs the question of is buying a low-grade diamond is a wise option? Some examples of these type of rings can be found on Amazon:

You will notice that the diamond accent ring setting includes a large stone. It is accented with lower grade I2 diamonds. I2 diamonds are usually not the main attraction. So they do not need to sparkle as much as the main stone.

How the grading system works and what I2 Clarity means:

Included diamonds vary from I1, I2 to I3. I1 has the least number of inclusions. I2 diamonds have inclusions that reduce their transparency, brilliance, and durability. This reduces the value of the stone. They are also not attractive. So, these diamonds should be avoided.

I2 clarity diamonds are also more prone to chipping and breaking. They are weaker stones.

Even if you are on a tight budget, do not consider an I2-grade diamond. If you are still confused about how to choose the best diamond, take a look at this YouTube video entitled

What grade diamonds should I buy if I am on a tight budget?

As carat size increases, so does the price! So a diamond weighing one carat does not cost the same as two 0.5 carat diamonds. Even when cut, clarity and color are the same.

How do you go about buying diamonds?

It is possible to buy diamonds in a range of price brackets. Why? Because size and composition affect the cost. From what we have discovered, not all diamonds are created equal. So a grading system was designed to evaluate diamonds.

The traits that give value to a diamond are clarity, cut, color and carat.

Clarity is measured by the number of internal defects or flaws (inclusions). As well as the external imperfections (blemishes). These can be visible to the human eye using different magnifications.

Top tips for buying diamonds on a budget:

When choosing diamonds these tips can help you save money. The goal is to get the best quality for the best price.

  1. Look at lots of examples of diamonds. Look both online and in local jewelry stores. Get to know what to look for before making your purchase.
  2. The shape and setting of the diamonds can play an important part in the price. The carat weight is not the same as the size. Certain shaped diamonds will appear larger in the setting. Square, pear, oval, marquise and emerald shaped diamonds appear larger than round diamonds.
  3. Also, take note of how much the price increases as the number of carats increase. You buy a diamond just under the next carat size, and save quite a bit of money. The tiny reduction on carat size will not be noticeable to the eye.
  4. The quality of the cut can also improve the brilliance of smaller diamonds. So stick to excellent or good for more sparkle. The cut does not affect the price of the diamond as much as the grade of the carat. So go for the best cut you can afford.

So, using these tips you should be able to find a sparkly diamond. Even though it is a bit smaller than what you planned. Don’t compromise and buy an I2 diamond! There are better options.

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