how can I alter the color of my M-N color diamond

[70ringer]

I have inherited an M-color diamond ring that is approximately 75 years old. I have read about techniques to alter/improve the color of diamonds. Does anybody know what companies provide this type of service? How can I contact them? The ring is beautiful otherwise, but the yellow color is so obvious that I am embarrased to wear it.

 

[JulieN]

A recut, if possible, may help the color

This is a helpful, recent thread on recuts: https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/can-you-re-cut-a-diamond.59193/

 

[researcher]

Is the ring white gold, platinum, or yellow gold? I''ve seen some beautiful M colored stones on PS where people embraced the warm color of the stone by choosing a YG band, and people who made their stone look whiter by setting them in white gold with a bezel (stones look more yellow from the sides than top down). Both options seem to work.

Personally, I would not be ashamed of an M colored stone, especially one that''s so old. But, that''s just me I guess. Instead of trying to enhance the color of the stone (unless it''s also a poorly cut stone) I would find a setting that sets off the stone. With enough brilliance, fire, and scintillation no one''s going to focus on the color!

 

[ericad]

It sounds lovely! Is it an Old European Cut? Old stones, regardless of color, have quite a loyal following - myself included. I IMPLORE you to not recut the diamond unless it is badly chipped or otherwise damaged. Antique diamonds are rare! And color in old stones is not regarded in the same way as modern diamonds. Take a look online at some antique jewelery vendors and you will see a lot of low colored diamonds. My own engagement ring is an M/N Old European and I wear it proudly. Prior to that I wore a K/L Old Mine Cut.

Some tricks to help the diamond appear whiter without altering the stone -

1. set it in yellow gold. The contrast will give the illusion of a whiter diamond.
2. color is most apparent from the side - consider a bezel setting to "hide" the side of the diamond.
3. try to punch up the color of the center and boost the yellow. Depending on how saturated the color is, it may look cool to surround it with a stark white halo to intentionally flaunt the yellow tint (give it a yellow gold bezel to further boost the contrast between diamond and halo) or some other variation (imagine a halo of yellow diamonds! YUM!)

You said the diamond is beautiful - please do some research about antique diamonds (PS is a great place to start!) and perhaps you can feel better about the color. You will be wearing a piece of history! A diamond that is one of a kind and will look different from everyone else''s.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 5/26/2008 1:11:20 AM
Author: researcher
Is the ring white gold, platinum, or yellow gold? I've seen some beautiful M colored stones on PS where people embraced the warm color of the stone by choosing a YG band, and people who made their stone look whiter by setting them in white gold with a bezel (stones look more yellow from the sides than top down). Both options seem to work.

Personally, I would not be ashamed of an M colored stone, especially one that's so old. But, that's just me I guess. Instead of trying to enhance the color of the stone (unless it's also a poorly cut stone) I would find a setting that sets off the stone. With enough brilliance, fire, and scintillation no one's going to focus on the color!

Welcome to Pricescope!

BIG DITTO!!! Personally I wouldn't recut such a stone, maybe look at different settings.

 

[Gypsy]

It sounds lovely! It's likely an older cut, which I have to tell you is quite sought after on here. Why would you want to change it?

I might re-set it, as others have mentioned, but unless it's chipped or otherwise 'broken' I wouldn't touch it... and even then unless it's a bad chip that can't be polished out, I wouldn't do more than get it polished by someone who is an expert of old cuts. The warmth of an M-N color stone is quite pleasing to some. It's not a flaw to be eradicted. It's just a personality trait of your particular stone. If you can't appreciate it, and are really embarrased by it, then please just save it for another generation who might appreciate a special heirloom stone, or sell it so that it can become someone else's heirloom who does love it. Even if you re-cut it an M-N is going to show warmth, and you may not still be happy, and then you'll have lost it's 'vintage/antique' value, and carat weight on top of it all.

 

[Rhea]

How will you be wearing the stone? Are you resetting it into another ring or a necklace or what?

Don''t be embarrassed by it, it''s a family stone! I''d love to have a family stone.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Reset it into an antique style setting and then the color will look appropriate. I would never recut and old stone unless it was badly cut in the first place.

 

[Jelly]

Definitely do not recut or "alter" this old stone. There is quite a market for old stones and there are many of us out there who would embrace the color. If you are ashamed to wear it, then sell it and use the money to buy another stone.

My vote is to halo that sucker and take advantage of the vintage look. Good luck and let us know what you decide!

 

[ericad]

PS - pics of the stone would be awesome!!!

 

[70ringer]

thank you so much! this makes me feel better

 

[chirp]

I love old diamonds I think they are a come back. I have one but it has a crack so I can''t wear it. you are really lucky I don''t think you shoul change it but embrace it. maybe yellow or rose gold, an antique setting or even a platinum setting. there is nothing to be embarrased about, on the contrary! look at faycullen, lots of rings to give you an idea

 

[LGK]

I have one 1.22 ct N colored OEC I wear on my left hand, and a 3.55 ct M colored OEC on my right. The other day at work this customer grabbed my hand with the larger diamond and said "Oh my god the color of your diamond is so beautiful!!" I thought she was expressing appreciation of the lower color, which, though not screamingly obvious, is definitely no icy-white D. So, I babbled on about how I too like lower color antique cuts (duh, I''m wearing two) and she looked surprised. She then said "Oh, it''s an M? It looks so firey I thought it had to be super white like a D or something!" Just goes to show you, with a pretty, clean, firey antique cut in a lower color, nobody is going to notice a hint of warmth, or even a larger dollop of it!

I hope you wear yours happily

 

[swingirl]

I recently bought an M and had it set in a platinum bezel for a pendant. Not embarrassed one bit. But I wonder if your M could be something lower if it''s showing a lot of yellow. My daughter has gotten many compliments on the pendant. The color isn''t so noticeable when it''s set in a pendant or earrings. But let''s take a look at it.

Don''t recut until you know exactly what you have, color and cut-wise. Old cut stones can be set to look beautiful in any color.