Do the rules still apply if the diamond is tiny

[radiantquest]

I am looking to get two diamond bands. I want them to be very dainty and only about 2mm. Do the rules that we use when choosing a diamond still apply when they are that small? I have matched the color so that is not an issue and I am not as concerned with clarity as I would be in a larger stone because there is no way to see an inclusion if there was one. But cut? Is there still cut classifications at 1/10th carat weight? Would a poor cut 1/10th and a well cut 1/10th even look different at that size?

 

[serenitydiamonds]

Smaller diamonds are not graded as closely so you won't have to be as picky. Typically high quality rings choose diamonds in the F/VS range for the melee, and regular quality as H/SI. There typically is not a cut grade for melee, but who's selling it should have an idea of how well they are cut. Most melee is cut fairly well in a mass production environment. You need only to be a little concerned on cut, you'd like something with nice proportions and a good table. You should be able to judge by eye how well it is cut. You won't need specific dimensions to make a decision.

--Joshua

 

[Michael_E]

Date: 6/17/2010 11:57:16 AM
Author:radiantquest
Would a poor cut 1/10th and a well cut 1/10th even look different at that size?

Yes, they would still look different. Clarity is often more important than you imagine, since there seems to be more leeway in grading clarity in melee. The other problem is that no one grades for cut on small stones. My experience has been that melee with better clarity and color is cut better. Your best bet is to find a supplier who understands what you want and buy from them. It will cost you more, but then quality goods always do.

 

[stone-cold11]

Go with a trusted vendor to pick the stones for you as 10 pointers are not send to lab to be graded anyway, so you cannot really get any information on the proportions unless you want to spend your own $$ getting all these stones sarin scan.

 

[radiantquest]

Date: 6/17/2010 12:04:44 PM
Author: serenitydiamonds
Smaller diamonds are not graded as closely so you won''t have to be as picky. Typically high quality rings choose diamonds in the F/VS range for the melee, and regular quality as H/SI. There typically is not a cut grade for melee, but who''s selling it should have an idea of how well they are cut. Most melee is cut fairly well in a mass production environment. You need only to be a little concerned on cut, you''d like something with nice proportions and a good table. You should be able to judge by eye how well it is cut. You won''t need specific dimensions to make a decision.

--Joshua

I guess I will have to go with regular quality because they need to match H color. I would be upest if they made my ering look yellow in comparison.

Thanks for the info. I looked with PS vendors and there wasnt anything small enough in stock so that would mean a custom job. I know that custom can drive up cost. I know I may be shunned for this, but since the cut isnt that important and color is obviously going to be just regular quality would a maul store really be a horrible way to go? I have looked online and it seems that many places have the tiny bands.

 

[slg47]

I''m pretty sure BGD and WF make eternity bands (is this what you are looking for?) with 10 pt diamonds...and you could ask them to use H/I melee instead of F/G

 

[Rockdiamond]

Today, as compared to 20 years ago, a far greater percentage of small diamonds are very well cut. This has to do with increased technology in places like India.
But there is still poorly made stuff on the market- and it is possible to see the difference- even in small sizes.

There are really well cut H color stones- and also poorly cut D-E-F color stones.
It''s most important to choose a vendor that sells well cut stones to make sure you get nice ones- regardless of the color.

 

[kenny]

I'd think the smaller is the diamond the MORE important good light return and cut is.

I don't get, "Oh it's just a small diamond so lets just let light leak out the bottom."

A small diamond needs all the help it can get, via more light return from better cut.

 

[serenitydiamonds]

All vendors should be able to make an eternity band to your specifications and typically it's not (and should not be) custom work.

--Joshua

 

[Horton]

WF just made my ring and it has 10 ACA melee diamonds prong set side stones measuring 0.3 ctw. I put the hearts and arrow viewer on them and i could see the arrows very nicely. They sparkle like crazy for being so small. I would recommend getting as good a cut on the melee stones as possible.

 

[serenitydiamonds]

Date: 6/17/2010 4:13:30 PM
Author: Horton
WF just made my ring and it has 10 ACA melee diamonds prong set side stones measuring 0.3 ctw. I put the hearts and arrow viewer on them and i could see the arrows very nicely. They sparkle like crazy for being so small. I would recommend getting as good a cut on the melee stones as possible.

Yes, Hearts and Arrows do look very nice in melee, and a lot of vendors carry them. A Sarin report, however, on a 10 pt stone would cost almost as much as the stone itself.

--Joshua

 

[Rockdiamond]

The quality of the band itself is also very important. Just as with the diamonds themselves, there''s a big difference from a commercial band, to finest quality metal work.

If one was buying an "off the shelf" band, it would not be a custom made piece.
But in my experience, the highest quality bands are made to order. This is especially true for larger or smaller size fingers ( say below size 5.5, or above size 7)

 

[decodelighted]

Matching color is tricky with smaller stones because smaller stones look much "whiter" than large stones of the same color estimation in CONTEXT. Use a place with a good return policy just in case! You might end up wanting "I" or "J" equivalent small stones to pair with your centerstone.

 

[serenitydiamonds]

Date: 6/17/2010 4:18:51 PM
Author: Rockdiamond
The quality of the band itself is also very important. Just as with the diamonds themselves, there''s a big difference from a commercial band, to finest quality metal work.


If one was buying an ''off the shelf'' band, it would not be a custom made piece.

But in my experience, the highest quality bands are made to order. This is especially true for larger or smaller size fingers ( say below size 5.5, or above size 7)

Very true. The best bands are made to order. Even then though, it shouldn''t be considered custom work and she shouldn''t have to worry about it being exceptionally expensive.

--Joshua

 

[Rockdiamond]

I think that consumers buying size 6 are in a far stronger position than those who have larger or smaller fingers.
I''d be surprised if sellers of very high quality anniversary bands offer return privileges across the board. Hopefully others who have experience buying such rings will chime in.

We''re in the midst of making a fairly large ( almost 5cts tw) eternity band for an order- I was pretty surprised at how much the metal portion is going to cost- it''s platinum which is more than gold.... but even gold is at record levels right now- so be prepared for sticker shock.

 

[Lynn B]

Interesting thread. Personally, I just feel so sorry for dead little baby diamonds! They look so sad... like they really WANT to sparkle, but they just can't! haha!

Seriously, I have several bands with VERY small diamonds (some are ACA melee from WF, some were handpicked by Pete at Quest, and another ring came from a non-PS vendor in NYC) and they all sparkle like crazy. They were all custom jobs, though.

That said, though, I think there ARE some nice melee out there, without going the custom route, if you are willing to look around awhile and be very choosy.

Diamonds are what they are, there's nothing hidden about them, or mechanical that can go wrong! It really all comes down to what your eye sees. Remember that jewelry store lighting can make a river rock sparkle, so look at any potential purchases in all kinds of lighting. Take your loupe, and your Idealscope, and most of all, take your time.

And if it's beautiful to you, then that's a winner!