Is my diamond dull?

[Tobamovirus]

I've got my engagement ring recently, and now I am full of doubts instead of happines.
My fiance and I are not from USA, so the diamond is pretty small and not that expensive. But the problem is not the about weight, it is about brightness and scintillation.

The stone seems to look milky under direct sunlight, and shines only in stores with specific lighting.
I see some gray-white areas on the edges near the setting - is it how this type of setting affects, or just stone is not performing well?
It is impossible to catch fire or sparkles with DSLR or mobile phone cameras.

I've never seen diamonds close enough, so maybe my standarts are higher than it is supposed to be.
Can you please take a look at the photo and say what are you thinking about my stone?

(sorry, all the photos are cropped, because I can not focus close enough with my lense)

 

[Tobamovirus]

....it was me choosing the diamond so now I feel pretty guilty for buying a thing not worthy its money.

 

[HappyNewLife]

that last pic certainly doesn't make it look dull. I'd suggest cleaning it so that you get all oil and debris off it. Also, the setting could have something to do with it, since it's a bezel and can affect how much light can bounce around (don't quote me on this, I'm no expert). I'm sure it's a lovely diamond!

 

[the_mother_thing]

I can't really tell via a picture, and I don't mean to be rude, but do you keep it really clean? I am so anal with all my diamond & gemstone jewelry, I clean it with warm soapy (dawn) water and a very soft brush in all the nooks and crannies and underneath the stones every night when I take it off before put it in the jewelry box. That way it's always sparkling clean for the next wear. No stone will look extraordinary when it's dirty.

 

[Tobamovirus]

Yes,you totally right about keeping it clean, but I am cleaning the ring with soap every day, and twice a week with the brush.. Not really helps
It looks like a piece of glass, and even under the trees I don't see any fire - tiny sparkles, but definitely not fire.

 

[krisjon]

Did you get any paperwork/specs on the diamond when you bought it?

 

[Tobamovirus]

In papers from seller (local cutter) diamond is listed as 0.4 VG H VS2.
But more I read here, more it makes me worried about veracity of those parameters.

 

[SirGuy]

In papers from seller (local cutter) diamond is listed as 0.4 VG H VS2.
But more I read here, more it makes me worried about veracity of those parameters.

Hi there! First of all, I think the setting you went with is quite pretty. As far as the stone itself, it would be hard to say just by looking at photos. You have a good reason to be curious about whether the stone's grading is what you expected.

Does the "VG" refer to cut, polish, symmetry, light performance, or something else? Whose scale of grades is it? If it's the local cutter's, then it's biased; he or she has incentive to err towards a higher grade because there's money involved in that.

If an independent, qualified appraiser is an option, that's where'd I'd go. Your stone would need to be unmounted from its setting for accurate grading, though.

Normally I'd say, "If you like it in real life, a report after the fact isn't as critical. You buy the stone, not the paper." However, as you don't think it performs as it should, further inquiry is reasonable.

Although I agree with you that it's possible you overestimated what a well cut diamond looks like, that may not be the case here. A superbly cut and proportioned stone should generally elicit a "Whoa" without much coaxing, even for someone unfamiliar with diamonds!

I'd be interested in seeing the paperwork you got with it.

 

[Lookinagain]

When you say you are cleaning it with soap what do you mean? What kind of soap? Not hand soap I hope. Take it to a jeweler and have them clean it. See if it helps. If your diamond doesn't look dull after the jeweler cleans it then come back and read the posts on keeping it clean. Until you make sure that cleaning isn't the issue don't panic about your stone.

 

[Dancing Fire]

In papers from seller (local cutter) diamond is listed as 0.4 VG H VS2.
But more I read here, more it makes me worried about veracity of those parameters.

That doesn't sound good...

 

[thecat]

Hand soap will leave a scum on the pavilion of the diamond. Use hot water with detergent to melt the scum, then brush the pavilion well. It appears that it's easy to clean the pavilion of your diamond since you appear to have a bezel setting with a bridge and no stems. Do this a few times as soap scum might take a few washes and brushes to be removed completely. You can also bring it in to the jeweler for a professional cleaning. Thereafter, wash your diamond only with detergent and a brush.

If you truly think it's a lousy performer and are still within the return period, please contact the vendor regarding a return/exchange.