Angles of light hitting the diamond?

[WorkingHardforSmallRewards]

Hey, I am sorry I also posted this in proposal ideas, but the real question is about light interplay based on diamond cut, angles, and distance to the sun, and so I put it here as well:


Alright, I decided to run some tests to determine the best time of day to propose. I came up with one result I should have recognized and one that is leaving me a bit confused.


The first thing I discovered I should have realized right off the bat. Because diamonds are cut to take light in the top and reflect it back out the top I realized that the diamond is significantly more brilliant when it is pointed directly at the sun. I had been planning on doing it at the beach and have her facing the ocean while I propose to her. But that would of course mean that the sun light is behind the diamond and when I open it it will lack its true fire and brilliance. Thus I have decided the best way to do it now is to have her sitting down and find some way to get her to turn so her back is to the sun when I propose. That way when I open the box her shadow will not fall over the diamond (as it might would if she were standing and I were kneeling)and the sunlight will shine directly into the top of the diamond. Also, she can then lift it up into the air to look at it on her finger, and it will play out hundreds of times more brilliantly than if the sun were in front of her.

The second thing I discovered is leaving me a little confused. I found that int he morning, even with the table of the diamond facing the sun, their is less fire and brilliance than the same angle with the sun in the evening? is it just my mind making me feel that way or is there actually a something different that could be causing this? (if so It might change when I get to Japan so I guess I will have to run some more test when I get there?) Or could there be some other reason for this more impressive light performance? If it is just my imagination then I might go for a brunch proposal so she can see the diamond in the sunlight all day...otherwise I will have to go for a dinner proposal.


also, I guess this same idea could be applied if i proposed while she was standing up and I was kneeling with the sun overhead but slightly behind her. That way when I open it the sun shines directly down and onto the diamond, but when she puts it on and holds it up it would still be shining from behind her and be able to get a pretty good shine onto the diamond, though not quite as perfect as if it was directly over her shoulder. If you think I shouldn't do it when she is sitting on a blanket?

 

[avlis]

interesting about the sunset/sunrise issue. assuming no other variables, ei an unobstructed view to the horizon at the the same elevation at both sunrise and sunset, i would venture to guess that the difference is due to atmospheric condititions. things to consider are the tempurature (density) of the air at sunrise versus sunset, and the particle concentration in the atmosphere attenuating and filtering light.

as for the more important issue of the proposal, from my limited experience (once) proposing, I would say you are being too critical about the look of the diamond at the exact moment she sees it as you start to propose. I dont think it will matter as she will be much much more interested in what you are saying, and if she is anything like my FI, she wont be able to see the darn ring because of the tears welling up in her eyes. Believe me, once the proposal is done and she composes herself, she will instintually find the best light available to look at the ring, and will continue doing so for quite some time.

 

[angeline]

Propose at Home Depot - just kidding!!! Many people have written how great the lighting is there for rings.

I guess you are wanting to propose outside? Otherwise a halogen spotlight will dazzle her socks off. I find in direct sunlight I can''t even look directly at my ring because the reflections are just too bright.

Good luck! You are putting lots of thought into this. I do agree with avlis a bit though. Hopefully she will be more interested in what you are saying than the ring. At first anyway LOL. But I do understand you wanting the stone to look it''s best for that first impression after all the work you have put into it. Again, best of luck and let us know what you decide and how it goes.

a

 

[RockDoc]

Direct sunlight CAN cause glare. That could be what your eyes are actually seeing.

Different proportion combinations of crown and pavilion will react different in various lighting environments.

Try looking with direct sun with the leaves of a tree, acting as a "baffle". Some diamonds perform extremely well under that environment.

An alternative suggestion is to do in at a dinner table ( outside or inside ) where you have candlelight surrounding you. Test how you''re diamond looks by going in a totally dark room with a candle, several candles or a bic lighter. Look at the diamond in dim light and in brighter candlelight.

Also consider that when you present the box, the diamond will basically only be "still" ( static mode ) for only a couple of seconds, til when she says " yes" and you put it on her finger. Instinctively, it will them be moved and pick up the beauty of its liveliness and scintillation. Try this in the dark with your own finger, moving your hand and your eye position.

A combination of sunset and candlelight outside at a dinner table just for the two of you, might be your preference as well.

Hope this helps.

Rockdoc

 

[WorkingHardforSmallRewards]

I am going to agree that I might be putting too much thought into it. Also, i havent tested it next to fire yet, I will def. have to do that. However, what I personally really want to demonstrate is the incredible fire that the diamond obtains in direct sunlight. Other lighting creates fire but its more of a multicolored sparkle with a few intense glints but outdoors it is rays, beams and intense flashes of colors. So I am hoping to get in a spot that when I open the box I can move my hand slightly and really dazzle her with the fire of the diamond as I propose.
I will def put most of my thought into the other aspects of the proposal though, rather than this. but it is a small diamond, so I want her to fall in love with it immediately and be able to appreciate all of its beauty in the first glance. You know what they say about first impressions...
also, while I def. would prefer an outdoors proposalif the fire works well then I might try doing it at the top of a tower or somewhere indoor with a great view so we can have some air conditioning at the same time

it is going to be really hot lol.