Calling single cuts melee owners!

[Hospatogi]

As many of you know I am going to make a pendant for my mom and am a bit stuck whether to use full or single cut melee. I was in a very well known jewelry store today looking at their halo rings which have full cut melee. The sales associate was wearing an heirloom ring from her grandmother and she said it had half cut melee. I'm assuming that these are single cut. Under the showroom lighting her melee had no sparkle at all whereas the full cut melee had much more brilliance. Have any of you experienced this?

 

[ponder]

I agree with your observation. I just placed two rings on the same finger to view the melee behavior at the same time. One (my avatar) has ACA melee. Incredibly sparkly, much brighter in appearance. The sparkles never stop. The second ring has single cut side stones, slightly larger carat weight. They have a more on/off sparkle that you associate with antique stones. More subdued, but still very beautiful.

I think full cut vs single cut (if you don't have a glaring preference) really depends on the main stone and the overall feel of the piece (modern vs antique).

 

[Missy]

Single cut is softer with broader more subtle flashes of light. Not as in your face as full cut (to me anyway).
Here are some close up pics of my single cut wedding band to try and demonstrate what I mean.

For a blingier look full cut is the way to go. With an OEC ER I prefer the softer broader flashes of single cut but for your mom's pendant you have to decide what would look best because it is a different look and single cut will not be as flashy.

 

[chrono]

That's why I like each type, depending on the size of the stone. Large single cut melees mean bigger facets so the on/off is slower. Large full cut melees will be more sparkly with more facets to turn on/off. Small single cut melees look sparklier because each facet is just the right size to flash on/off at a good rate. Small full cuts become a "blur" of facets when they are very small so your eye has trouble seeing the on/off flash.

 

[Hospatogi]

My mom and I both prefer the look of antique jewelry. She won't mind the look of subtle spark as long as it doesn't go "dead". I wonder how much lighting and movement a pendant gets versus a ring? I don't know the exact size of the melee but it will probably be under 1 pointers.

 

[SB621]

My first halo had full cuts (with a 2ct MRB) and then my upgrade, same setting I had remade with single cuts since my upgrade was an antique stone. Pending what shape and color your diamond is to me will dicate what melee you use.

Hope this gives you a visual.

 

[Hospatogi]

I have a 3/4 carat OEC and it's a G color.
Missy- your band is so pretty
SB621- love your ring! That center stone is gorgeous!

 

[m-2-b]

I happen to like both types of cuts! Here's another visual for you of my single cut bands:

 

[Hospatogi]

I happen to like both types of cuts! Here's another visual for you of my single cut bands:

Those are beautiful mom2boys! But I have to say your french cut band is my favorite! I really need one of those!

 

[CharmyPoo]

I have experienced the same which is why I prefer full cuts.