How much (size) does a bezel REALLY *add*???

[Lynn B]

I asked this question in my other "possible reset" thread... but it could get pretty easily overlooked there, so I''m asking again here, please.

Does a thin, delicate bezel (not a halo) really add noticeable “oomph” (aka, the illusion of additional SIZE!

) to a diamond? Or considering that the complete outer edge of the stone is covered (securely) by the bezel, is it basically a wash?

THANKS!
Lynn

 

[elle_chris]

I think it depends. My semi doesn't add any size. The bezel's so thin I sometimes think my stone would look bigger in a simple prong setting.

On the other hand, when i see a full thicker bezel, i do tend to think the stone's big, but that's more from afar. When I've gotten a closer look, it just looks like a thicker ring.

 

[Dancing Fire]

i wouldn''t did it,cuz you''ll cover up the edge to edge sparkles.

 

[Lynn B]

Thanks, Elle and DF.

Elle, can you post a link to your thread or post a few pictures here of your bezel? I don''t need my dang diamond looking SMALLER, that''s for sure! Ack!

Anyone else? Opinions?

THANKS!

 

[elle_chris]

Date: 9/22/2009 4:30:09 PM
Author: Lynn B
Thanks, Elle and DF.

Elle, can you post a link to your thread or post a few pictures here of your bezel? I don''t need my dang diamond looking SMALLER, that''s for sure! Ack!

Anyone else? Opinions?

THANKS!

lol.. don''t think a full bezel will make it look smaller

here''s the link to my thread https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/my-sholdt-semi-bezel.93098/

and here''s a few pics.

 

[elle_chris]

and here''s the side view.

 

[Novel]

Hmm, this thread doesn''t have too many pics but it might help: bezel to prong

 

[Lynn B]

OK... I still need help, please! Can we *get specific*?!

My 2.36 RB is 8.7mm. If I decided to bezel it with a bezel similar in width to these T&Co rings, what do we think I could reasonably expect the finished, bezeled size to be???

(Yes, I know, I am sick, sick, sick!!!)

And FWIW. according to T&Co, the bezet shanks (bands) are 2.6 mm wide. This may help the math whizzes (sp?!) among us!!!

THANKS!

 

[shimmer]

Hi Lynn,

I have a very thin bezel on my transitional diamond, it adds about 0.5mm total. My guess would be that the tiffany would add about 0.75-1mm.

 

[bgray]

i think a milgrained bezel (being textured and thus matte) lets the stone spill over the bezel. What I mean is that the hard polished line of metal like the T&co rinsg you posted is a more obvious boundary line around the stone. I think its two distinct points 1)how thick is the bezel and 2) the visual impact of the bezel.

 

[Lynn B]

Date: 10/2/2009 10:12:54 PM
Author: shimmer
Hi Lynn,

I have a very thin bezel on my transitional diamond, it adds about 0.5mm total. My guess would be that the tiffany would add about 0.75-1mm.

Hey Shimmer, THANKS!

Soooo, hmmmm... if the bezel added 1mm total, then the finished size would be about 9.7mm... for a *looooooook* of about an additional carat's worth of weight (based on a chart I have that says that a typical well cut 3 carat RB is 9.4mm, and a typical well-cut 3.5 carat RB is 9.9mm).

That could be VERRRRRA VERRRRRA fun!!!! (I just wish I could visualize this better!)

ETA: Thanks, BGray, for your post. I see what you are saying. For my taste, I really kinda prefer the more noticeable edge that the shiny bezel gives, though.

 

[librarychickie]

Lynn,

I don''t have the answer to your question, but I just have to jump in here and laugh. You''re cracking me up with your Bezet obsession!

I''ve been following your Bezet posts since they first came out with the design. I lurv it, too!

Hmm... Does anybody know if they''re going to make them in gold, too? Just wondering since the bands come in yellow and rose gold.

~LC

 

[Lynn B]

Date: 10/2/2009 10:27:09 PM
Author: librarychickie
Lynn,

I don't have the answer to your question, but I just have to jump in here and laugh. You're cracking me up with your Bezet obsession!

I've been following your Bezet posts since they first came out with the design. I lurv it, too!


~LC

Haha! Yeah, I hear ya'; and believe me, I'm cracking myself up here, too!

Be thankful that you're just getting a VERY SMALL GLIMPSE of what it's like living in my head!!!

 

[bgray]

Date: 10/2/2009 10:24:07 PM
Author: Lynn B

Date: 10/2/2009 10:12:54 PM

Author: shimmer

Hi Lynn,


I have a very thin bezel on my transitional diamond, it adds about 0.5mm total. My guess would be that the tiffany would add about 0.75-1mm.

Hey Shimmer, THANKS!


Soooo, hmmmm... if the bezel added 1mm total, then the finished size would be about 9.7mm... for a *looooooook* of about an additional carat''s worth of weight (based on a chart I have that says that a typical well cut 3 carat RB is 9.4mm, and a typical well-cut 3.5 carat RB is 9.9mm).


That could be VERRRRRA VERRRRRA fun!!!! (I just wish I could visualize this better!)


ETA: Thanks, BGray, for your post. I see what you are saying. For my taste, I really kinda prefer the more noticeable edge that the shiny bezel gives, though.

Okay so how about a champfered edge to the "bezet" (haha bezel) to make it even bigger?

 

[MissGotRocks]

I''ve been wondering about you this week - wondering if you were still rolling the bezel idea around or if you had put it on a back burner.

Wonder no more. . .

!

 

[angeline]

Date: 10/2/2009 10:24:07 PM
Author: Lynn B

Date: 10/2/2009 10:12:54 PM

Author: shimmer

Hi Lynn,


I have a very thin bezel on my transitional diamond, it adds about 0.5mm total. My guess would be that the tiffany would add about 0.75-1mm.

Hey Shimmer, THANKS!


Soooo, hmmmm... if the bezel added 1mm total, then the finished size would be about 9.7mm... for a *looooooook* of about an additional carat''s worth of weight (based on a chart I have that says that a typical well cut 3 carat RB is 9.4mm, and a typical well-cut 3.5 carat RB is 9.9mm).


That could be VERRRRRA VERRRRRA fun!!!! (I just wish I could visualize this better!)


ETA: Thanks, BGray, for your post. I see what you are saying. For my taste, I really kinda prefer the more noticeable edge that the shiny bezel gives, though.

Lynn,

I don''t know if you saw my reply in your other thread.

I tried on a 2ct Bezet at Tiffs in SF. I have a 2.2ct diamond in a prong setting and I''ve tried quite a few 3ct''s on. I''m telling you that to my (IMHO well-calibrated) eye, the 2ct Bezet looked like a 3ct. Well and truly.

Then I got them to get out a 2ct classic Tiff setting to compare against and the Bezet really did look larger.

I wonder if Tiffs would let me take a pic? If I get up to the city soonish I could try for ya.

 

[Lynn B]

Date: 10/2/2009 11:04:57 PM
Author: angeline


Lynn,

I don''t know if you saw my reply in your other thread.

I tried on a 2ct Bezet at Tiffs in SF. I have a 2.2ct diamond in a prong setting and I''ve tried quite a few 3ct''s on. I''m telling you that to my (IMHO well-calibrated) eye, the 2ct Bezet looked like a 3ct. Well and truly.

Then I got them to get out a 2ct classic Tiff setting to compare against and the Bezet really did look larger.

I wonder if Tiffs would let me take a pic? If I get up to the city soonish I could try for ya.

Angeline,

Thank you so much for posting again in this thread, apparently I did somehow either miss or pass over your other post or perhaps it got lost in the (frantic!) fray!!!

Your post was very encouraging! I am still mulling this over (OK, agonizing!

) and haven''t reached any decision yet. I wish I could see a 2 carater bezet in person and compare to my own setting. But I don''t live near any Tiff''s and when I did get to one in the summer, even with an advance call, they couldn''t get any RB bezets in. Bah!

So, my dear, if you''d like to be my partner in crime (

) and if you do get to a Tiff''s sometime, some comparison pictures (if they''d let you) would be absolutely wonderful!!! Thank you so much!!!

Lynn

 

[melz]

Oh Lynn go for it! I am having Brian Gavin bezel a set of studs that I originally returned b/c I thought they looked too small. Then I had the bezel idea, and called Lesley. She said the bezels will make them look bigger, citing as an example when they make jackets for 1/2 ct bezeled stones, they are sized as if for a 3/4 ct stone! (I hope I''m remembering that exactly right and not misquoting her regarding the specific sizing. But in any case, the jackets are definitely bigger).

 

[bgray]

LynnB-I know you dont like milgrain but I show this to illustrate the double bezelling that might give you real oomph and size

 

[bgray]

another

 

[bgray]

and one more. imagine the double bezel with no milgrain....

 

[D&T]

speaking of double bezel.. how bout something like this

 

[Stone Hunter]

I think a bezel is the modern version (well OK old turned modern) version of the illusion setting. To the eye it adds size to the diamond!

A bezel has to have some thickness to hold the stone and then of course if it goes all the way around it''s double the size of the metal (half on each side) so I''d say it would add 1mm minimum!

 

[MissGotRocks]

OK, LynnB, a friend was in Tiff''s trying on their rings. This is a 1.14 solitaire in their traditional setting.

 

[MissGotRocks]

This was a 1.12 stone in the Bezet setting. Two stones - almost identical size - what do you think about the size difference?

 

[Lynn B]

Awww, Patty, you are a SAINT!

Those pictures were VERY helpful and you and your friend both deserve a great big [hug]!!! Thank you!

YIKES! I wish I could just make up my mind ***WHAT TO DO***!!!

 

[MissGotRocks]

Well, I definitely think it produces a size increase. However, it is a very different look from a prong setting. You have a beautiful set so I can appreciate your dilemma. It''s hard to choose between pretty and pretty!

 

[MissGotRocks]

Two more shots - sized better for comparison purposes.

1.14 in prong setting.

 

[MissGotRocks]

The second - 1.12 in Bezet setting.

 

[chelsea3]

Lynn: I absolutely adore your current setting. I also enjoy reading your posts because of your insight and the great attention you pay to detail. With that being said, if you do decide to reset into a bezel, I think it will turn out fabulous because you are so detail oriented and have great taste. I will patiently follow this thread for more updates. Good luck!