When buying a diamond, what is more important clarity or color?

Question

Lets say there are two loose stones, same weight and the deciding factor is between a stone with J/K color and the other with SI clarity- what is a better choice?

Is there a general rule?
Color over clarity?
or vesa versa?

Answer 1

Clarity Is more important value wise

Answer 2

There is no way you can separate one as being more important than the other. The fact is that from the end user's point of view SI is such a low level of inclusions that, deoending on where they are in the stone, you will only just be able to see them with the naked eye whereas J/K colour will show as a distinct yellow cast in the stone. In my opinion a high colour gives a more attractive stone when on the hand as few people will ever be close enough to see the minute imperfections but a low colour can be seen from a long way away. The choice is, of course, yours but I think that if you look at the two stones in clear day-light (NOT the high power lights in the jewellers shop or their "special day-light lamps"as these give a false impression) you will see exactly what I mean. You did not state exactly what colour grade the better colour, slightly marked stone is which makes this question much harder to answer with certainty.

Answer 3

I used to sell Estate jewelry and for me, if the stone is of a carat or more, I'd choose clarity and I'd rather have SI than flawless.... why?.. because that 'slight imperfection' can be identified!!!.... today's fakes are so good that I would constantly worry.....

j/k is nice color, but so is that of a CZ....

Answer 4

If this is for personal jewelry and not some sort of investment, I'd select whatever appeals to you the most....

As a side note, recent advances in synthetic diamonds bring a great alternative to the market, which may a good thing.

Keep in mind, diamonds (~90% of all of them) are moved through the deBeers syndicate, which controls the supply and sets the price. This makes them quite over-valued for what they truly are.

The diamond trade is notorious for fomenting and supporting terror in Africa. You should check into this and decide for yourself if this is something in which you wish to be a participant.

Answer 5

IT IS NOT CLARITY! It is color by far... BTW J/K is going to be noticeably tinted. Go to Blue Nile.com and check it out.

Answer 6

Clarity. Your local jeweler will have these priced much higher, which is how you can tell.

Also, people prize white much more, although black has tremendous value.