The SI3 Diamond Clarity Grade
For years many vendors in the diamond trade wanted to close the gap between the SI2 clarity grade and the I1 clarity grade. Among the reasons stated were the wide gap between the SI2 and I1 clarity grades, and the loss of value that an I1 diamond suffered over an SI2 diamond.
In the early 1990s EGL, the European Gemological Labratory, introduced the SI3 clarity grade. This new grade is designed to fill the gap between SI2 and I1. This becomes increasingly important as more and more lower quality stones are sent in for lab reports for sale on the internet.
Bill Boyajian, President of GIA, wrote the following letter to Jewelers’ Circular Keystone JCK Magazine in May 2002:
“We have studied the SI3 suggestion at various times over the years, and yet again recently when proposed and adopted in principle by the World Federation of Diamond Bourses. However, GIA still concludes there is no reason to change our long-standing and universally accepted diamond grading system.”
While the SI3 is an accepted grade these days, it may be fair to assume that any SI3 diamond would most likely receive an I1 clarity grade is sent to GIA.
