Q&A: Choosing a Round Cut Diamond for a White Gold Pave Setting With Up to $8,000 Budget

Eye-cleanliness is a bit tricky. The actual clarity grade is not so important. Clarity grade only tells you the size of the inclusion. That is one factor in determining eye-cleanliness. But harshness, location and reflection matter as well: https://www.diamonds.pro/diamond-clarity/. You can find an SI1 (even an SI2) diamond that’s eye-clean as well as a VS2/VS1 that’s not. It always depends on a particular diamond and its inclusions. Generally said, large and dark inclusions (such as crystals or large feathers) often are noticeable while twinning wisps are fine in most of the cases. Sometimes the diamonds look just perfect but the ‘clarity grade is based on clouds not shown’ note is an issue. That means that there’s a large cloud that saps the brilliance from the stone. I also recommend avoiding diamonds with knots and cavities and diamonds <1ct with clouds – they don’t have a clarity plot in the certificate so you wouldn’t know the size and location of the cloud and the diamond might end up being hazy and less brilliant. It usually takes the real picture of the diamond or its report (ideally both) to determine the eye-cleanliness of it.
Also, having some experience working with the diamonds in real life is useful, since it helps you learn how each type of inclusion looks in person.

I looked at the diamonds you sent me (they both have the same clarity grade btw) and here’s my opinion on them:

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.30-carat-f-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-8381892?a_aid=dmnd1357
This one is eye-clean, but it’s, unfortunately, a no go due to the strong fluorescence. Strong fluorescence is undesirable on such high color as it can give the diamond a milky/hazy hue: https://www.diamonds.pro/education/fluorescence/

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.22-carat-g-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-5312912?a_aid=dmnd1357
This one is a nice option and it’s eye-clean. Keep in mind that the videos are magnified and I always recommend zooming closer to x1 to get the idea of how the diamond will look like in person. The tiny inclusions on the table are not an issue, they will get unnoticed.

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.28-carat-f-color-si1-clarity-true-hearts-cut-sku-7912762?a_aid=dmnd1357 www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.25-carat-i-color-vvs2-clarity-true-hearts-cut-sku-8530187?a_aid=dmnd1357
These two diamonds you sent me are beautiful.

This one is not eye-clean:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.38-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-true-hearts-cut-sku-8233349?a_aid=dmnd1357

I also found this one:
www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.27-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-7431144?a_aid=dmnd1357
It’s fantastically cut and the inclusion on its 10 o’clock can be covered with a prong.

Happy to help!