Does light return have anything to do with beauty?

[Rhino]

My .02c ...

In your more common viewing environments if you''re not observing reflections of light you''re either observing the results of light leakage and/or head/body shadow. In every diamond one will observe the dynamics of at least two or all three phenomena that will result in either a pleasing or displeasing optical pattern to the eyes of the observer.

Learning which optical arrangements please the human eye most is the key to optimizing diamond beauty within any given shape and if you do not have enough light return it will inevitably result in either poor contrast (distribution of the pattern of lights/darks) which will also result in a loss of brightness. So is sufficient light return essential? I would say absolutely. People do not purchase diamonds because they want a lifeless light leaking rock on their hands. Consumers want *bang* and essentially that bang comes from the strokes of light observed within the diamond they purchase whether those strokes/reflections are large and broad or small and tiny. Part of listening to and serving your client is learning which optical construction pleases their eyes most.

As Garry has pointed out in his illustration light return is just one part of the equation. I would just add ... while not an end/all be/all it is still an essentially important part of that equation.

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

Date: 11/6/2009 12:31:34 AM
Author: Rhino
My .02c ...


In your more common viewing environments if you''re not observing reflections of light you''re either observing the results of light leakage and/or head/body shadow. In every diamond one will observe the dynamics of at least two or all three phenomena that will result in either a pleasing or displeasing optical pattern to the eyes of the observer.


Learning which optical arrangements please the human eye most is the key to optimizing diamond beauty within any given shape and if you do not have enough light return it will inevitably result in either poor contrast (distribution of the pattern of lights/darks) which will also result in a loss of brightness. So is sufficient light return essential? I would say absolutely. People do not purchase diamonds because they want a lifeless light leaking rock on their hands. Consumers want *bang* and essentially that bang comes from the strokes of light observed within the diamond they purchase whether those strokes/reflections are large and broad or small and tiny. Part of listening to and serving your client is learning which optical construction pleases their eyes most.


As Garry has pointed out in his illustration light return is just one part of the equation. I would just add ... while not an end/all be/all it is still an essentially important part of that equation.

Bang bang comes from contrast too Rhino - so we need areas of strong to exceptionally strong light return with areas of dark zones. The dark zones as you rightly pointed out are either leakage or head obstruction. I am strongly on record that head obstruction zones are way more preferable because you dont ever see the muck on the back of the stone - and the dark zone turns very very bright as soon as the stone tilts a bit = huge bang

 

[Karl_K]

Date: 11/6/2009 1:34:22 AM
Author: Garry H (Cut Nut)


Bang bang comes from contrast too Rhino - so we need areas of strong to exceptionally strong light return with areas of dark zones. The dark zones as you rightly pointed out are either leakage or head obstruction. I am strongly on record that head obstruction zones are way more preferable because you dont ever see the muck on the back of the stone - and the dark zone turns very very bright as soon as the stone tilts a bit = huge bang

I tend to agree but think caution is needed in how to measure contrast.
I am still looking into it but I am getting convinced that ASET/IS does not properly display contrast in fancy cuts.
One thing static images does not tell you is if the contrast is what I call hard or soft.
Soft contrast changes to light return quickly with tilt and hard contrast stays over a wide range of tilt.
You have said you like to use motion with ASET also.
But there is more to it, ASET tends to understate contrast and blend virtual facets together that in the real world don''t blend.
Part of this is the uniformity of the light hitting the diamond in ASET/IS that is not present in the real world but I am beginning to think more is going on.
I am not sure what it is yet.
Which is part of the reason why I don''t design under ASET in DC but use it as a check.