How stone shapes show color

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IntlSet

IntlSet

Bonjour!
O.G.
Jan 29, 2006
12,369
63
#1
Hi ladies,

I've heard that asscher and emerald shapes can make a lower color grade seem more obvious than say, a round cut. I've also heard that color will show on the rounded-corners of a cushion cut.

Any other hints?

I'm not looking for a D-grade diamond. I think anywhere from G-I would satisfy me, as long as it looks good to the eye.
 
#2
a stone can look whiter if it has flourescence. in lower color stone it can mask the warmth but flourescence in higher color stones can make it look cloudy. this is what i've read.

but then AGAIN..... i am no expert i probably dont even know what is Ok cloudy, bad cloudy, or acceptable cloudy! :D
 
#3
missD said:
a stone can look whiter if it has flourescence. in lower color stone it can mask the warmth but flourescence in higher color stones can make it look cloudy. this is what i've read.

but then AGAIN..... i am no expert i probably dont even know what is Ok cloudy, bad cloudy, or acceptable cloudy! :D
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yes I have seen this exactly with round brilliant cut stones that have higher flourescence and it makes it look cloudy. I think the more facets that direct and reflect the light, the less likely you can see the color unless it is next to a significantly higher grade color stone. I think Ovals and round brilliants are definitely less likely to show color than an emerald cut.
 
#4
All I know of color is that it is viewed from the bottom - so you can see a stone's color most vividly from underneath; since stones are not set that way, even a H-I can look very white/sparkly if the cut is excellent/Ideal.

It makes sense that an emerald or ascher cut might show more color because there is as much of the bottom of the stone as top of stone (gawd did that make sense, in my head it does, lol).
 
#5
Loganz said:
All I know of color is that it is viewed from the bottom - so you can see a stone's color most vividly from underneath; since stones are not set that way, even a H-I can look very white/sparkly if the cut is excellent/Ideal.

It makes sense that an emerald or ascher cut might show more color because there is as much of the bottom of the stone as top of stone (gawd did that make sense, in my head it does, lol).
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They do do the color grading that way but they also grade set stones against a master set. I have had one of my rings appraised twice and different color grades 2 different jewelers and this ring was set so it was viewed from the top. It makes me think that it is much more subjective that clear cut !
 
#6
Mrs. MC said:
They do do the color grading that way but they also grade set stones against a master set. I have had one of my rings appraised twice and different color grades 2 different jewelers and this ring was set so it was viewed from the top. It makes me think that it is much more subjective that clear cut !
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Oh yes, definitely subjective. I was just sharing what I had learned during a recent upgrade about color. :smile1:
 
#7
Loganz said:
Oh yes, definitely subjective. I was just sharing what I had learned during a recent upgrade about color. :smile1:
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Please share ! I am learning a lot from talking to jewelers, the internet and this forum. I was thinking about going into jewelry appraisal or something for a part time job. I would love to be an "expert" on something. Isn't it fun learning about diamonds ?! I was surprised when I had some jewelry re-appraised for my insurance that some peices were downgraded for color. That is when I decided that it is subjective because it is up to human error and humans see things differently. I didn't have the original appraisal on my rings before they were set so I wonder if it was different if they were graded face down. Anyway I don't really care, I think they are beautiful either way and have much more sentimental meaning than anything !
 
#8
^ I agree with everything you just said.

I will share this since Intl has been asking about diamonds a lot, and I do think it is interesting how color is graded and the "science" of appraising.

I recently had an appraisal done as well on 4 pieces of jewelry.

I did not bring any of the certificates because I thought an "independent" appraisal should basically "back-up" what you think you bought - I thought I shouldn't bring a cert and influence the results.

So - I get my appraisals and WHAT THE H**L!!! LOL

My ering has an AGS certificate and is an Ideal/Ideal, I, SI1, 1.61c
The appraisal says very good, H, SI1, 1.56c

So I go call and he says, "well give me the AGS # and I will adjust"

Fine, after all his grading of the cut of my stone would have meant a lesser stone as a replacement should anything happen; but, I think to myself, how worthless is any of these "certs" if basically you can just tell the appriaser what you want to hear - and if a stone is an Ideal cut shouldn't it be ideal to everyone, not just 1 diamond grading lab??

THEN: I have a pair of regular old 3/4c solatire earrings (1 1/2 CTW) and they appriase for twice the purchase cost, even though they are NOT certified. Go figure right?

So - this leaves me with this thought: You know those commercials: The jewelry exchange, we guarantee your diamond will appraise for at least twice what you paid"....How can they make these promises, unless of course they SEND you to THEIR appraiser...hmmph.

Ultimately, Mrs. MC you are spot on - as long as you love your ring - who cares what a piece of paper says, the value is in the sentiment, not the grading.

EDIT: and I think it would be awesome to be a certified gemologist - I find all of this so fascinating!!
 
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#9
yes, Loganz is right:yes:
And yes, Annie is right! LO! :D

The precision of the cut makes a HUGE difference so it makes sense that stones w/ fewer cuts will likely show a little more warmth.
BUT there's always an exception . . .
 
#10
oh and ITA about the comment of YOU being happy w/ it.
Don't get bogged down on the specs, I can't stress it enough. It alsmot happened to me and I wouldn't have the stone I wbear today.
People get so OCD about each individual C and they forget how their heart felt when they saw the stone and had no idea what it's papers said.
I mean, obvisouly you don't want a dud, but trust YOUR eyes.
 
#11
My diamond is an emerald cut. We were told when DH (then DF) bought it that that particular cut shows any flaws in the diamond fairly easily. Our experience (granted it was a long time ago) was that it was hard to find an emerald cut that wasn't 2 carats or teeny tiny. It was hard to find an in-between size. I love my emerald cut- I don't see them very often at all. I believe mine is between a G-I color, it's been so darn long I don't remember!
 
#12
Amanda, thanks for always popping into my endless engagement ring threads.

Do you think a "very good" cut is acceptable, or should I go with nothing less than ideal?

I was told the difference is negligible but maybe that's not really the case... I would assume that the lower color grade your stone is, the more ideal your cut should be?
 
#13
You're welcome, I could talk about diamonds all day :D

exactly . . . if you're willing to slide up to an I the cut needs to be excellent-ideal.
Mine is an excellent cut I color and I see zero warmth from the top, sometimes I see a teeny bit from the sides but the cut smacks you in the face.
The closer to ideal you get the more symmetrical the cut gets, usually making an obvious sunburst pattern in the enter when you look closely.
On my stone, at it's size it would've been double the price if it were an F or G color and ideal.
I can actually see the sunburst in mine but it's not a perfect sunburst so it's not quite an ideal, but I also don't need perfection in something natural like a stone so it works for me.

But still trust your eyes, if you look at a couple of stones ranging bewteen good, excellent to ideal you'll see that the better the cut the more impressive the sparkle.

Don't feel pressured to only buy AGS or GIA stones. They ARE more reputable and dependable on the grading, but EGL is getting better.
I am comfortabel w/ my EGL stone and it's grading.
 
#15
it's one of the most reputable. . . but if true perfection isn't your goal and you don't truly need the piece of mind I wouldn't rule out other stones personally.
Some people just have to have perfection. . . for me, and it's very personal, perfection and diamond are sort of an oxymoron.
I don't need the perfect cut, I need a cut that will wow me, but it does not need to be perfection.

KWIM?
 
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