Dose light from the sides really make a difference?

[craighnt]

I know that in theory, a diamond set in prongs or more open setting is supposed to be more bright because it lets light enter from the sides and not just the top. But is that really true? I thought the whole point of a perfect modern cut is that all the light from the top is being reflected back. If side light is really a factor, why is this not taken into account during grading?

 

[JDCgolfr]

My understanding is that with different lighting situations comes different results. IE candle light which is generally from the side a open gallery more light will penetrate giving a wonderful result. Diamonds with high crowns preform better under this lighting. But most of the time a stone is looked at face up under diffused or direct lighting from above so no... with an ideal round brilliant it shouldn't really matter in theory unless the stone is picking up reflections of the setting. Find a setting from a reputable dealer and they will make sure this effect is not present. Others know more than I find something you love and go with it! Good luck

 

[smilligan]

I can't give any real, factual, insight but, AFAIK, MRB diamonds are cut to reflect/refract the optimum amount of light when the light enters from the top. This is mostly due to the invention of modern overhead lighting (e.g. pretty much all modern light sources come from above). Antique cuts were faceted to reflect/refract candlelight, which would enter from the sides of the table and the girdle (I think?). So, I believe that having open sides would provide greater brilliance/fire IF a light source is coming from the side. I could be wrong, though.

 

[Paul-Antwerp]

Theory is rather simple, but to any simple theory, there probably are exceptions.

If a diamond has light leaking out through the pavilion, theory of light dictates that light entering at the pavilion-light-leakage position will exit through the top of the diamond. Thus, a diamond leaking more light will probably benefit more from the possibility of light entering through the pavilion.

Live long,

 

[diamondseeker2006]

So in other words, you want to buy an ideal cut round that does not benefit from light coming in from the sides, and that way you can buy whatever setting you want!

 

[GreenBling]

it does for my AGS000 I. It is brighter, whiter after the reset which now has less metal which allows light in from more angles. The jeweler who did the setting made same comment.