Calling @frankiextah and @phoenix: do you ever see colour in your H stones?

[ice empress]

Hello ladies!

I’m reaching out because both of you have amazing H coloured whiteflash AGS ACA stones set in emilya halos!

As you may know, Im in the final steps of finalizing the deposit to have a 3.60-3.65ct ACA G VS2 custom cut by whiteflash.

Of course, the more time goes on, the more my mind plays tricks on me... I’m wondering if it may be worthwhile to ask whiteflash about the possibility of an H stone instead.

I’m quite colour sensitive, and wouldn’t want to see any tint or yellow. But because it will be an ACA, and because it will be set in white gold and a VC halo, I wonder if it would be worthwhile considering an H for cost savings if it makes little to no difference for colour tint...

I’m lucky enough to have a boyfriend who hasn’t set any real budget and is happy to go with whatever I choose. But in my core, I’m still a girl who “values value” and not spending unnecessary funds... so here I am, pondering the G vs H conundrum.

Lastly, I know anecdotal rumours have long circulated regarding AGS’ softer colour grading. If there is some truth to this, I would stick to the G to be safe. But if this is unfounded, I might consider an H...

Of course, everyone else is welcome to chime in on this topic.

Also, apologies for the long rambling post. I’m trying to rush out the door as I type this.

Thanks!!!

 

[Lookinagain]

Since you say you are quite color sensitive I’d be leery of dropping down. What someone else doesn’t see doesn’t mean you won’t see it so since you don’t seem to want to see any tint I’d not go to an H.

 

[Wewechew]

I have a GIA H with strong blue fluorescence, HCA score of 1.7, and I can see warmth in it. I would strongly urge you to stick with a G.

 

[sledge]

My girls BGD super ideal with medium fluor is an H VS2 and we can both see tint. For me, its minimal at certain angles and I thought I was the color sensitive one. Turns out I am marrying eagle eyes as she sees it easily.

Based on her color sensitivity I would have bought a D/E if I got a do over. I offered to switch out and she refuses. So while many can be sensitive, many are also color tolerant as well and see it but appreciates it for what it is.

Based on my own experiences, I'd stick with a G unless you can make it to a local diamond store and verify you are good with H colored AGS stones or H/I colored GIA stones. Problem is as you go down in color, there becomes a larger band as subjectivity so low I, medium I or high I for instance.

 

[ice empress]

Thanks @Lookinagain @Wewechew @sledge for the speedy reply. It makes me quite a lot more confident that I’m making the right decision with the G then!

 

[ac117]

You are making the right choice with the G if you are color sensitive and know the tint will bother you especially since color is easier to see as stones get larger. I also consider myself to be color sensitive especially with my ering that I see on my finger/from the side all the time - I went from a 1.81 E to a 3.24 G. G is still very white to me unless compared to a higher color stone side by side. I saw several options in the E-I range while I was looking and I color was just way too tinted for me, even in super ideal stones. I did notice the AGS stones seemed slightly more tinted than GIA stones. That's my opinion and what I personally noticed but color is subjective and some people are better at detecting it than others so not everyone agrees. There was a GIA H that I considered although I could see a bit of warmth, it wasn't too bad so I might have been fine but then I came across my stone, fell for her and the choice was easy. I'm sure you'll be extremely happy you went with the G!

 

[ice empress]

@ac117 thanks so much for your input! It’s helpful to know that you’re happy with your G, especially since you went from an E. Also, you make a good point about colour being even more easily detectable in larger stones.

 

[icy_jade]

Do agree that color is much easier to detect in larger stones. I have a G and I do see tint maybe 10% of the time. Most of the time it looks colorless. I’ve never detected tint in my F diamonds and almost always in my H diamond. So I think sticking to G is definitely a safer choice.

Just be mindful that you may still see tint in your G depending on how color sensitive you are. If you are extremely color sensitive, you may see tint all the time, or never at all if it doesn’t bother you. Have you ever done a “color test” for diamonds under neutral lighting?

 

[Golden_bird]

You will def see a tint in H in some specific lighting ! I even can spot Color in tiny 0.25 super ideal H. If the setting is more closed ,it’s harder ,but if it’s with open profile ,you will see it more often . I would say stay with G ,even thoug even G has some tint , the only color I stop seeing tint is F! It’s colorless in all types of lifting condition and from all directions!

 

[HappyNewLife]

I have an I colored ACA and love it, but it sounds like I'm not as color sensitive as you. Oddly, when I had a 1 carat GIA XXX H colored diamond, the tint bothered me. My AGS ideal I is perfect to me - I see no tint. But, given your situation and you can afford a G, go with a G!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Let them know you are color sensitive and tell them to try to be sure it is a mid to high G.

 

[CareBear]

I'm not Phoenix or frankie, but I have owned center stones in G, H, I, and J. I am color sensitive in that I can fairly accurately tell you what color a stone is, but not color sensitive in that I need to own a colorless stone. I never saw color in my G (by this I mean set and not next to a D,E,F stone). I saw color in my I, but it rarely bothered me. I saw color in my J, and it bothered me sometimes. I finally settled on H. I own two 2+ct H stones, one of which is an ACA. For the ACA, I see the slightest hint of color from the side or if the diamond is at a certain tilt, but it does not bother me one bit.

 

[Rivendell]

My stone is an E, I could see tint in an H and wouldn’t have been happy with it I agree the bigger the stone the easier it is to see tint I think you need to get G minimum

 

[ice empress]

Do agree that color is much easier to detect in larger stones. I have a G and I do see tint maybe 10% of the time. Most of the time it looks colorless. I’ve never detected tint in my F diamonds and almost always in my H diamond. So I think sticking to G is definitely a safer choice.

Just be mindful that you may still see tint in your G depending on how color sensitive you are. If you are extremely color sensitive, you may see tint all the time, or never at all if it doesn’t bother you. Have you ever done a “color test” for diamonds under neutral lighting?

When a stone is loose, I can identify colour changes fairly easily, but find it quite a lot more difficult when set and under store lighting.

 

[icy_jade]

When a stone is loose, I can identify colour changes fairly easily, but find it quite a lot more difficult when set and under store lighting.

No you need to assess under neutral lighting or diamond dock... store lighting is hard to assess and fairly pointless tbh. I usually spend my time under fluorescent lights or in shaded daylight so I would try to see the diamonds under similar lighting conditions.

When you say fairly easily, what do you mean? Like D vs E is easy for you? Or G vs H? Etc etc... That would make a diff in how easily u see tint.

Anyway between G or H, still think G is a safer option.

 

[TreeScientist]

No you need to assess under neutral lighting or diamond dock... store lighting is hard to assess and fairly pointless tbh. I usually spend my time under fluorescent lights or in shaded daylight so I would try to see the diamonds under similar lighting conditions.

When you say fairly easily, what do you mean? Like D vs E is easy for you? Or G vs H? Etc etc... That would make a diff in how easily u see tint.

Anyway between G or H, still think G is a safer option.

Yes, definitely don't judge color by store lighting. Jewelry store lights have a high amount of light in the blue end of the spectrum, which cancels out the yellow produced by the stone. For why that is, and why stones look yellow in the first place, I'll leave you to read some Wikipedia articles on electromagnetic theory. But suffice it to say that, in additive color mixing, blue and yellow make white.

I made the mistake of judging color sensitivity in a jewelry store the first time I tried to determine how color sensitive I was. Walked into a jewelry store and asked to see GIA graded diamonds in a few different colors. In the store, I honestly couldn't see color until I got to H-I and below. So I ordered a G... and could easily see the color in it... and it bothered me. Granted, the diamond I ordered was graded by AGS and the diamonds I saw in the jewelry store were graded by GIA, but I think the main reason I couldn't see color in a G in the jewelry store was due to their lighting. Returned that original stone and ended up with a D color.

I second @icy_jade's recommendation of viewing diamonds in the lighting that you'll typically be living in on a daily basis to determine whether a particular color will bother you. For most of us, this would probably be compact fluorescent (office) lighting and incandescent lighting.

 

[sledge]

But suffice it to say that, in additive color mixing, blue and yellow make white.

I totally believe you and have seen this myself; however, I also find it a little funny as this directly contradicts standard color anatomy.

3 primary colors = red, blue & yellow
Mixing blue & yellow make green (unless looking @ diamonds under jewelry lighting )
Combination of all colors (in right mix ratios) = black

 

[TreeScientist]

I totally believe you and have seen this myself; however, I also find it a little funny as this directly contradicts standard color anatomy.

3 primary colors = red, blue & yellow
Mixing blue & yellow make green (unless looking @ diamonds under jewelry lighting )
Combination of all colors (in right mix ratios) = black

This is subtractive color mixing, which you use when, say, mixing paint. Additive color mixing, which applies to light, is different. This is the additive color mixing plot:

 

[doberman]

I am extremely, extremely color sensitive. We had a jeweler friend long ago who was shocked that I managed to put all the stones in the right "order". But I think the only thing that matters is how *you* feel about color. An H will not be "yellow", but it will be noticeably colored, particularly when placed near a colorless stone. I think that G color is the safe spot for people who don't want to see color but don't want to pay the price for colorless.

@TreeScientist Cool Venn diagrams.

 

[skypie]

If there is no budget why not go even higher in color? D or E?

 

[BlingDreams]

I think a major point in this situation is that most tint is seen in the body of the diamond, and since yours will be set in an Emilya halo the viewing of a G tint should be minimal at most. I really think you’ll be just fine with a G.

 

[ice empress]

Thanks all for the excellent diagrams and insight. Unlike many individuals, whose rings are mostly seen under fluorescent lighting, mine would be seen in the evenings and weekends, I.e. restaurants, homes, outdoors.

I’m sticking to my original instinct and going with the G. In fact, the deposit for my whiteflash custom cut ACA was transferred yesterday... so work should commence shortly.

As @ILikeShiny mentioned, given that it will be set in the emilya halo (and is an ACA) I think too that the G is a safe choice.

@skypie though budget isn’t theoretically a limiting factor, I’m still personally cost conscious. In fact, this is especially true when spending someone else’s money. I don’t want to take advantage of my bf’s generosity, especially if it won’t ultimately make a visible difference.

I’m getting excited... the stone should be ready in 4-5 weeks time!

 

[skypie]

Appreciate your sentiment. However, there will be a visible difference between a D/E and a G. My rationale is since you are already spending a very large amount of money you might as well get something that you will not find fault with (not saying that will necessarily happen with a G color) rather than "skimp" and get something that you are only 80% happy with.

 

[LinSF]

Ice Empress, I think you should stick with the G so that there are not regrets later. Since price is not a huge issue I wouldn't take the chance. I'm of the "do it right the first time" camp. I can't wait to hear about it's progress!

 

[Phoenix]

Hello ladies!

I’m reaching out because both of you have amazing H coloured whiteflash AGS ACA stones set in emilya halos!

As you may know, Im in the final steps of finalizing the deposit to have a 3.60-3.65ct ACA G VS2 custom cut by whiteflash.

Of course, the more time goes on, the more my mind plays tricks on me... I’m wondering if it may be worthwhile to ask whiteflash about the possibility of an H stone instead.

I’m quite colour sensitive, and wouldn’t want to see any tint or yellow. But because it will be an ACA, and because it will be set in white gold and a VC halo, I wonder if it would be worthwhile considering an H for cost savings if it makes little to no difference for colour tint...

I’m lucky enough to have a boyfriend who hasn’t set any real budget and is happy to go with whatever I choose. But in my core, I’m still a girl who “values value” and not spending unnecessary funds... so here I am, pondering the G vs H conundrum.

Lastly, I know anecdotal rumours have long circulated regarding AGS’ softer colour grading. If there is some truth to this, I would stick to the G to be safe. But if this is unfounded, I might consider an H...

Of course, everyone else is welcome to chime in on this topic.

Also, apologies for the long rambling post. I’m trying to rush out the door as I type this.

Thanks!!!

Sorry, just saw this. I was on holiday last few weeks.

Yes, I do see H colour in my ering. Mind you, one of my earrings is an H and I can't, most of the time, see the tint in it and usually can't tell it apart from the other earring which is a G. I think it's bc 1) my ering is bigger and 2) I stare at it all the time whereas I don't stare at my earrings.

You've made the right choice going with a G, if you're as colour-sensitive as I am.

ETA: I wanted to clarify that my ering, a 5.318ct is set in a simple solitaire (it's also not an ACA). I did have an H-coloured BGD diamond, a 2.656ct, set in an Emilya and I still saw the tint. The halo did nothing to mask the tint. I dream of upgrading my 5.318ct to a G, but alas don't have the budget for this.

ETA again, lol. I've been suffering from analysis paralysis. But if I were more decisive, I might even "downgrade" to a smaller stone, but closer to a 5ct and go with a G or even an F. DEF is def my mind-clean zone. Yes, I suffer from that too! lol

 

[ice empress]

@Phoenix

Hope you had a wonderful trip!! After a few weeks of traveling, you’re probably a little relieved to be back home.

Thanks for your input! As soon as I put the question out there, I knew in my heart that I wouldn’t be happy with an H. But of course, it took me verbalizing it to confirm what I already knew.

As for your studs, do you sometimes see the H tint even when on the ear? Or just when it’s off and viewed from the side?

I wonder because I was thinking that my studs could be H, since I figured they would at least face up white on the earlobe.

 

[Phoenix]

@Phoenix

Hope you had a wonderful trip!! After a few weeks of traveling, you’re probably a little relieved to be back home.

Thanks for your input! As soon as I put the question out there, I knew in my heart that I wouldn’t be happy with an H. But of course, it took me verbalizing it to confirm what I already knew.

As for your studs, do you sometimes see the H tint even when on the ear? Or just when it’s off and viewed from the side?

I wonder because I was thinking that my studs could be H, since I figured they would at least face up white on the earlobe.

Thank you, yes, I am actually. lol

I see no tint on my earrings whatsoever, from whatever angle, when they're on my ears. If I take them out and look at them side to side, closely, then yes, I could tell them apart. But most of the time, the colour difference or the fact that one is an H, doesn't bother me at all. IMHO, you could go with a pair of H-coloured earrings and would still be plenty happy.

 

[Phoenix]

Let them know you are color sensitive and tell them to try to be sure it is a mid to high G.

+1

 

[ice empress]

Thank you, yes, I am actually. lol

I see no tint on my earrings whatsoever, from whatever angle, when they're on my ears. If I take them out and look at them side to side, closely, then yes, I could tell them apart. But most of the time, the colour difference or the fact that one is an H, doesn't bother me at all. IMHO, you could go with a pair of H-coloured earrings and would still be plenty happy.

Thanks!!