Importance of cut on melee diamonds in setting

[Beansy]

I just wanted to know if there is any importance in the cut of melee diamonds? I saw a bridal set today where there were 5 diamonds in the w-band, and 4 in the e-ring both totaling .50....pretty small ones. The sales lady told me that once they are that small, they are machine cut anyway. Is this true, or should I seek out more ideal stones and have them set myself?

Thanks

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

in my retail business we reject 70 - 90% of even .01ct one point diamonds for cut using the ideal-scope.

If your supplier has the capacity to (or let you ) sort the smalls with an ideal-scope then you will be amazed at the difference in the finished product

 

[dimonbob]

The cut in melee can make all the difference in how your jewelry will look. If you have a diamond eternity band with diamonds all the way around or even just half way around and purchased them at a maul store, more than likely they will be G/H color, which means H, and VS2/SI1 clarity and not be very well cut. If you upgraded that same band to have F or better, VS2, ideal cut melee that same band would look so much better that you would not believe it was the same ring.

When you see advertised on TV an item of jewelry for a very low price, you can bet that the picture on TV does not match the color, cut or clarity of the item being sold by that store. Keep your eyes open during the upcoming season and see what a national chain that we all know advertises on TV. Look at the item closely and then go down to that store and see the difference. It will make your hair stand on end.

Truth in advertising should not just end with the words that are spoken.

 

[Beansy]

Cut Nut, WOW. That's an amazing statement. I had no idea that so much detail was paid to even such a small diamond? It was a Natalie K setting, and when I asked if I could pick the stones, or find out more about the specs on each, she basically gave the impression that they came the way they came.

Is it unheard of to buy a setting from a designer, and have my own added?

Is it unheard of to have hearts and arrows for such small diamonds?
Will there be a big enough difference?

Will I be able to use an ideal scope on set stones?

Thanks cut nut and diamondbob for the help.

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

Yes beansy you can use an ideal-scope on smalls - but H&A's viewers usually do not have adequate maginfication and anyway H&A's does not tell you if the diamond returns lots of light - you ned a Sarin report for that. ask for a Sarin on smalls and you will be rightly shown the door

TELL THE designer about the ideal-scope (if she does not already know) and she too will benefit from taking 5 seconds a stone to check them out. If she rejects 9 in 10 and takes 1 minute per stone in the selection process you will all be blown away with the result.

 

[dimonbob]

If you use an Ideal-Scope to pick out your melee it will give you amazing results. If you just use ideal cut H&A melee, those too will be a vast improvement over what you would normally get off the shelf in any store. The small price you pay for these little ones is nothing compared to the results you get.

 

[kait86b]

Well now you guys have me scared. I have requested a Leo Ingwer ring for my e-ring, and it has to be ordered from Ingwer with the side stones already in place. What are the chances they will be of a good quality? Is there any reason to be concered? Also, does anyone have anything to say about Ingwer rings in general? I found the setting on Good Old Gold website, so I figure that if they offer them, they must be good, but I just want an opinion.
Thanks guys!

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

50:50 at best will look great through the ideal-scope unless they have been specifically selected.

Anyone out there want to check their smalls and run a poll to test my claim?

 

[dimonbob]

Several years ago when I worked in a jewelry store, we would order from th Leo Ingwer ring catalog. We stopped doing business with them because the service was not what it should have been and the product was average. You might ask GOG to get you just the ring without the side diamonds and have GOG hand pick some little ones for you.

 

[fire&ice]

----------------
On 9/28/2003 11:25:37 PM kait86b wrote:

Well now you guys have me scared. I have requested a Leo Ingwer ring for my e-ring, and it has to be ordered from Ingwer with the side stones already in place. What are the chances they will be of a good quality? Is there any reason to be concered? Thanks guys!----------------

It should not be the intention of anyone to "scare" you. The melee's in maul stores that are of generic means are not g/h. They are far worse color & often are not cut to Am RB standards. With the more designer higher end bands the melee's are usually g/h which will face up plenty white enough. Make sure they are cut to Am RB standards and are matched. If you are not satified, then go to the expense & effort of having the band made or look at other brands. All my diamond bands ideal scope very similar & are guaranteed at least g/h. One is in platinum & very white white w/ fairly large stones. I have worn this against my F stone for many years with no distinction in color.


Good luck.

 

[pqcollectibles]

Welcome to the Forum, Todd!

Good to see you posting here! Hope you stay around as well. We can always use professional setter's/designer's point of view!

 

[strmrdr]

If at all possible posting some Ideal-Scope pictures would be neat.
A comparison would be way kewl but even some of the well cut ones would be great.