Singe cut vs. Full cut diamonds for band?

[L etoile]

I'm planning on ordering the Leon Mege String Theory band (similar to the Tiffany Metro band) this week, but I'm not sure if I should get single cut or full cut diamonds. The band is 1.2mm wide. I haven't seen the String Theory in person, but loved the Metro (too bad it's in white gold instead of platinum). I also prefer to have Leon's people make it vs. buying from a large retailer. Three different Tiffany stores have given me different answers about whether the Metro collection is single or full cut. How do I choose? Ame, are you around? Does anyone have the metro band that can comment about if it's single vs. full cut?

 

[phillj12]

I would LOVE to hear what people have to say as I'm considering a pair of metro bands to sandwich my wedding band. I too would prefer to buy from Leon Mege vs Tiffany.

 

[wantitneedit]

Thanks for starting this thread as i would be interested to know as well! Also, could you or Ame discuss the difference between single and full cut diamonds.? Good luck in your search.

 

[L etoile]

I've never seen the difference between the two, but apparently single cuts give larger flashes of light in very small stones. I've read that full cut small stones are so small, the human eye can't recognize the small amount of fire they have. Therefore, people say single cuts are better for smaller stones/micropave/melee because very small full cuts appear duller than single cuts. I've seen a photo on another forum but I'd love to see a video. Apparently, single cuts are more expensive since they're harder to find and get purchased up by the watch companies. Full cuts are less expensive. Single cuts that are ideal cut are a bit harder to find so it may take a jeweler longer to make a single cut piece.

Leon's rings are beautiful (he did my e-ring) and the string theory is platinum. The Tiffany Metro is white gold and I read on another forum that it's not as well-made. I do love the sparkle of the Metro, so I'm happy having Leon set whatever the metro has (full vs. single). The Tiff website says "round brilliant diamonds" and 1 SA confirmed that but two SA's told me over the phone that they were single cut diamonds. I'd really like to order my Leon ring asap; at this point, I'll probably go with full cut just to make it easier.

 

[livethelake]

I'm so excited for you and selfishly can't wait for you to receive it. I have been looking at Leon's string theory bands forever. I'll be watching for your reveal and review.

I always thought that full cut stones were superior to single cut assuming all specs are comparable due to the sparkle factor. (but I am no expert). What does Leon recommend?

 

[ame]

Single cut has less facets and personally, I don't prefer the look. I always go full cut, and they do sparkle more. Single cut has a more antique style look.

 

[ame]

From his site--this is HIS take on it. I personally like full cut, but this is how he operates. As I understand it, Tiffany uses Full Cut, not single cut.

Single cut vs. Full cut

Typically each stone used in micro pavé is a “full cut” diamond, which means that it has the same 58 facets that you would count on any ideal cut round brilliant. However, full cut diamonds are not the best to use in micro pavé.

The very best diamonds to use in micro pavé are “single cut” diamonds because they have far fewer facets (17 facets) . Larger facets on a single cut diamond are proportionally bigger and tend to return distinct flashes of light. High quality single cuts are mainly used in expensive watches to decorate the dials and mark the hours. But single cuts are very scarce, not to mention expensive, with the luxury watch industry consuming almost all of the production.

We use single cut diamonds only for the most exclusive pieces or when a customer specifically requests them. Sometimes it takes weeks for certain sizes of single cuts to be delivered from Europe. From an artists’ point of view, it is definitely worth the money and effort to go with single cuts instead of full cuts.

Most retailers would rather impress their customers with the tale of how each tiny stone has all 58 facets just like the larger ones. (This is because the majority of them are simply ignorant on the issue or must go out of their way to obtain single cuts). Although it’s a good sales approach, you simply cannot get the same rich look from full cut melee that you can get from single cut.

Micro pavé became available when the technology of cutting very small stones by machines was developed in the mid-1970’s. Shortly after, cutters in Europe (Belgium in particular) were able to cut ideally proportioned stones in microscopic sizes.

Early micro pavé was a new and time-consuming technique that only a few master setters could execute properly. Therefore, only a few very exclusive micro pavé pieces were produced.

Micro pavé was first employed to highlight the immense value of certain important gems placed in settings. Later, when automatic cutting machines advanced to the point that large quantities were commercially produced, supplies of smaller and smaller diamonds appeared on the market. What once was very exclusive and prohibitively expensive became a common form of surface decoration in a variety of fine jewelry.

Setters increasingly became familiar with this new setting technology as public demand grew for micro pavé. Today micro pavé is so widespread that it’s now available in a variety of qualities. Large factories in Asia use cheap labor to churn out massive quantities of micro pavé jewelry.

By cutting corners on a few important steps in the setting process they are able to produce micro pavé that somewhat resembles the well-made version to a layman’s eye. However, these pieces never stand up well to close scrutiny or daily wear and tear. Some telltale signs of poorly made micro pavé are: roughness to the touch; unevenness of texture and clarity; ill-defined rows and patterns; misshapen beads; and too much metal covering the stones.

 

[L etoile]

Thanks, ame!

I'm leaning toward the full cut since I probably won't see the difference and the stones would be easier/less expensive to replace if I ever lose one. The Tiffany Metro band sparkles like crazy, so if that's full cut, I'm sure full cut in a Leon ring would be fabulous.