Advice on whether to get plain band or keep pavé? Help!

[lph4248]

Hi everyone, new here and could really use some advice. Husband and I decided to upgrade my e-ring. I decided to sacrifice some color for more carat weight, so it's a J/K (jeweler said he called it a K, but wrote it up as a J), 2.35ct. I opted for a rose gold band (but platinum setting) with pavé because I like the extra sparkle. I didn't think the little pavé diamonds would look much whiter than the center stone given that they are set in rose gold and the center stone is set in platinum, and in most lighting conditions, that is true. But in some light, the pavé stones do definitely look whiter, and this bugs me. Do you think a plain rose gold band would be smarter for this stone? Or should I stop worrying about the pavé diamonds' whiteness and enjoy the sparkle? The color difference is evident in the first photo below, not so much in the other two. (Also I'm already planning on getting a plain rose gold wedding band because right now the contrast with the platinum band definitely makes the rock look yellower.) Thanks in advance!

 

[JoJa12345]

Beautiful ring! It may be your platinum wedding band throwing things off ~ take a picture with just the e-ring and not the band and see if that makes a difference to you. If I had to guess I would think that's what it is more so than the diamonds in the actual e-ring setting (hope that makes sense).

 

[lph4248]

Beautiful ring! It may be your platinum wedding band throwing things off ~ take a picture with just the e-ring and not the band and see if that makes a difference to you. If I had to guess I would think that's what it is more so than the diamonds in the actual e-ring setting (hope that makes sense).

Thanks! Here are a couple images. My office lighting is pretty harsh and happens to make the contrast more evident. So the difference is still obvious to me in these images. Well, more so the side view than straight-on for sure. What do you think?

 

[tkyasx78]

I think it is beautiful!!

 

[foxinsox]

If the pave is DEF or GHI, it will look whiter than the centre stone. Also pave tends to return white light because of how small the flashes are (your eye blends it all together). So if it’s bugging you now, you might be better with a plain shank or pave of a colour closer to your centre.
The ring and stone are both lovely and I like the contrast especially in the last photo but if you don’t, you should change it to have something you’re happy with.

 

[JoJa12345]

I think it's beautiful! Without the platinum wedding band I don't see a difference in color (melee & center stone). I would get a rose gold wedding band and enjoy wearing!!

I will say ~ if it bothers you, it will always bother you and what you see / like is what is most important! You have to be really honest and decide if you love it or not.

 

[tyty333]

I agree with JoJa...in pictures, its the white wedding band that my eyes see the biggest difference. The rose gold just sort of blends in to me. Now,
this is from your pictures and not in person so what you see may be totally different. I would go try on some rose gold wedding bands and see what
you think.

We usually recommend people stick with GIA/AGS lab reports so that you know exactly what color you're getting (if you decide to upgrade again).

 

[HappyNewLife]

oh, it's really beautiful. I'd probably leave it be for now and see if it bothers you less in time

 

[lph4248]

I agree with JoJa...in pictures, its the white wedding band that my eyes see the biggest difference. The rose gold just sort of blends in to me. Now,
this is from your pictures and not in person so what you see may be totally different. I would go try on some rose gold wedding bands and see what
you think.

We usually recommend people stick with GIA/AGS lab reports so that you know exactly what color you're getting (if you decide to upgrade again).

Totally understand. I probably won't upgrade again - this already feels so extravagant. We trusted the jeweler based on his reputation and having worked with him before but obviously that can be risky. The first diamond I had from him was GIA certified, this one just happened not to be and I didn't feeling like paying to have it sent in.

The pictures are accurate to what I see, so I'm starting to feel better about it based on the replies so far. I might still change the band but I think there's a good chance I won't. Thanks for the confidence boost, all! It's definitely an adjustment to go from seeing the ice cold (but smaller) stone I had before, which was set deep in platinum. But I do love the new stone and ring overall.

 

[liaerfbv]

If it bothers you now, it's not going to bother you less with more time. I would reset it. Are you within the return window for the setting?

 

[BlingDreams]

I think it's a lovely setting, but I do see the difference in color. What that does to me is make me focus on the yellowness of the center stone vs. the whiteness of the melee (if that makes sense). So, if it were *me*, I'd keep the setting but swap the melee for j/k stones to better match the center stone. I think that would be a lovely combination!

Personally, I'd also get the stone GIA certified to make sure the jeweler was truthful with you. Yes it'll cost a few hundred dollars but if he sold you a L/M stone that's usually thousands of dollars difference in price so you would have gotten a bad deal. At a stone that size, better safe than sorry.

 

[EllieTO]

The setting is beautiful! I agree with changing to a rose gold band. If you can, swapping out the melee to a lower colour should look better, though I personally don't see an issue from your pictures. Lower colour stones look so nice in rose gold, I think it would work well if it's bothering you a lot.

For a diamond that size, you should absolutely have it graded by GIA. That's not pocket change! There could be such a wild difference in prices based on the specs. It would be perfect timing for them to unset the stone and send it in while they're working on the band. And if they're reluctant to send it in for grading, I would be very suspicious.

 

[doberman]

From the photos the stone looks like a K. I will echo the posters advising a GIA grading. Good to know what you've really got. The rose gold is beautiful, and little pave stones will always look lighter, it's the nature of the beast, but if it bothers you I'd change it rather than hoping you'll get used to it.

 

[lph4248]

Thanks everyone. I think I'm going to keep it as-is. We already had them redo the setting from scratch once so I don't think we could get away with having them do that twice - my husband was like "if we went back again, I'd definitely offer to pay." So with that in mind, and me not being 100% sure I want a plain band, I'm going to wait and see. Less time pressure is a good thing. Appreciate the feedback and opinions!

 

[Queenie60]

I like it! The contrast is nice. Wear it for awhile to see if you get used to it over time.

 

[LLJsmom]

Pave melee will usually look whiter than a big stone. Add that to a J/K center and you will notice the difference. Be honest with yourself. And accept it. You notice it now and it bothers you. Over time you will not notice it less, like some others have said. Get a setting without pave on the sides. And a platinum band next to it would also emphasize the color in the center stone. Forget what other people see and focus on what YOU see. It may not bother other people but if it bothers YOU, that is what you should base your decision on. Nobody else but YOU is going to be looking at the ring all day. Good luck!!

 

[lph4248]

I slept on it and we're inquiring about getting the pavé/melée taken out. Hopefully the cost of the change will be absorbed by returning the little stones. I want to be able to embrace the warmth of the stone, not feel like I'm constantly comparing it to whiter stones.

 

[nala]

I slept on it and we're inquiring about getting the pavé/melée taken out. Hopefully the cost of the change will be absorbed by returning the little stones. I want to be able to embrace the warmth of the stone, not feel like I'm constantly comparing it to whiter stones.

I agree. IMO I think a rose gold setting brings out the warmth in any diamond. I have an I and I can’t even stack rose gold bands with it bc I notice the tint. Have you considered a plan white gold setting rather than rise gold. Or better yet, why not rhodium dip your setting so it’s white. Maybe then the pave won’t be so contrasting. I think removing the pave should be a last resort. Might ruin the ring. You might be better off selling it and starting fresh or like I said, just rhodium dip it before you dismantle a gorgeous ring.

 

[msop04]

I slept on it and we're inquiring about getting the pavé/melée taken out. Hopefully the cost of the change will be absorbed by returning the little stones. I want to be able to embrace the warmth of the stone, not feel like I'm constantly comparing it to whiter stones.

Just wanted to chime in to remind you that if you decide to go the all metal route, the jeweler will need to remake the setting... the pave can't simply be "removed"...

ETA: I just saw where someone mentioned trading for lower color pave... but it may be less expensive to just have the whole thing made again with lower pave, should you choose to do so.

 

[marcy]

Your ring is very pretty. I agree with the others who said if it bothers you now it probably always will. Having them replace the pave diamonds would probably be costly so I would probably look in to a new setting if you decide you want to change something.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

As msop said, they wouldn't take out the pave. You'd just buy a new ring. But it's kind of odd that a stone that size isn't GIA graded. I highly recommend you do that before you reset. What if the diamond really is L color? Maybe that would mean you overpaid. Your jeweler may be honest, but that doesn't mean he's right about the color. I am pretty sure it's not J from what we can see in the pictures. A GIA report isn't all that expensive. I think it's a huge mistake not to do it.

 

[starrylight]

I think an engraved rose gold band would look beautiful with your set.

 

[LaylaR]

So I'd like to provide a little bit of information that might help anyone struggling with the issue of pave and perceived color differences.

My engagement ring is a GIA F. I have a pave halo of full cut F/G melee. I still see a difference in color between my center and my halo depending on the lighting and the environment. Why?

It's not a function of the colors of the melee stones compared to the color of the center stone. It's a function of the light performance of the different sized facets. A full cut round pave stone has 57 facets (excluding the culet). That's 57 tiny facets. Those tiny facets are going to reflect very little color from the environment and they strongly favor white, not colored, light. The body color of the melee has very little to do with it-- especially of full cut melee that are small enough to qualify as pave. So the melee are going to stay white in most environments.

Now, even if you have a center stone of the same color as the melee, in an ideal cut round brilliant (best light return) and you are talking about the same number of facets-- the relative facet size will still result in a percieved color difference in some light and environments. The larger facets of the center stone will reflect the variety of colors from the environment and will give off colored light as well as white-- and that will result in some contrast to the pave because the small pave facets aren't going to pick and reflect much of that. So the pave will remain white while the center is reacting to what's around it picking up and throwing off color.

Body color of the center stone can play a factor as well but again, not as much as performance does. The better the light performance of your center stone, the better the light return will mask body color. So if you have a F with ideal light performance it will look whiter, brighter and larger than a stone of the same color grade but with compromised performance. And that will effect the issue of contrast more. So if you have a poorly cut F center and F/G melee next to it, then you will see more contrast than you would with an ideal cut center with the same melee. Now they are both F's. But performance is going to greatly impact the perception of contrast with the melee stones.



Hope this explains things a bit.

 

[lph4248]

Thanks @LaylaR for your detailed explanation.

I now know I should opt for a band without melee since it's distracting to me and I realize it could be an issue with any color grade for the center stone. I didn't notice the difference with my previous ring, but it was a well-cut, smaller G set deep in platinum, and I want a more minimalist setting this time, which means any stone is more exposed to the colors in the environment.

And yes I do realize you can't just "take out" the melee - my bad with the phrasing. We're actually asking about different center stones now too that are less yellow. (I've only had this new ring for a few days.) And we will absolutely get one that is GIA-certified (or pay to send it in) this time.

I'm glad I found this community before I committed to sticking with a ring I wasn't entirely happy with.

 

[LaylaR]

Hello Iph4248,

I am happy you are going to insist on a lab graded stone going forward. That's great. But also insist on a well cut one. GIA EX is a very broad category and there are many duds in there. Nothing effects a diamond's appearance as much as cut. So, I would advise you to do your research and make sure you are getting the best stone you can. Consider an AGS0 stone at the least, there is a reason we, at HPD, as well as our competitors who cut what are referred to as superideals send our stones to AGS.

One of my diamonds is a very well cut K transitional. It's white almost all the time and I wear it with an F/G band. How white a diamond appears is not just about body color. It's also a function of cut. A well cut J can out white a diamond of poor cut but higher color like an H.

Since you've found Pricescope, it will pay off for you in the long run to do a little research so you can be absolutely sure you get the best stone you can for your budget.

Also, you will be shocked at how much larger a well cut stone can appear than a poorly cut stone. So you may want to go down in weight to get a better cut stone that looks larger. It's counter-intuitive but you'll be surprised how accurate it is.

Best regards,
Layla

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Great! It is FAR better to take your time and get a really great stone that you'll be happy with!

Here's some help getting a well cut stone this time! Insist on GIA Excellent cut only to start. That is a very broad range and not all stones are as good as another. So here are the measurements you want to stay within to get a really well cut stone that faces up at a good diameter and that will have great light return.

GIA Excellent cut (and excellent symmetry, and at least very good to excellent on polish)

table: 54-58

depth: 60-62.3

crown angle: 34-35.0 (up to 35.5 crown angle can sometimes work with a 40.6 pav angle)

pavilion angle: 40.6-40.9 (sometimes 41.0 if the crown angle is close to 34)

I'd highly recommend posting the report of any stone your jeweler suggests before you go further. Or just give him the parameters above to make it easier for him to search.