Light Return in Diamond Photography - ECs

[JoeNewbie11]

When viewing photographs of ECs, some show visible light return, while many others show a glassy appearance, which seems to indicate leakage. Can the difference be attributed to the photography set up or is it more to do with the characteristics of the diamonds themselves?

Below is an EC with nice light return from many facets (little dark in the center). (I''ll post another pic with a glassy appearance.

 

[JoeNewbie11]

One that looks glassy.

 

[Dreamer_D]

No idea, but interesting question. If I had to hazard a guess though I would say photography is probably responsible for the lions share of the difference.

 

[kenny]

One way to tell is to place the diamond on a background with a unique color that does not appear in front of the diamond, let's pick green.
Then any green you see in the diamond came from windowing or leakage.

No?

Diamonds are little boxed of mirrors and windows.
What you see in a diamond is greatly dependent on what is in front of the diamond.

If the lens is close to the dimaond it will result in more black being seen in the diamond (obstruction of light and reflection of dark lens).
Using a large white card or a white dome with a small hole in it for the lens will reduce this black.
Using a macro lens with a longer working distance will allow more space between the diamond and the lens and reduce the black too.

All of these photography techniques that can change the amount of black seen in a diamond have nothing to do with the cut of the diamond.

 

[yssie]

Thritto.


Would this be livelier?

 

[yssie]

or maybe this way

 

[yssie]

The faceting pattern does make a huge difference, but the way the pattern appears to you is all in the photography

 

[Karl_K]

most of the darkness is obstruction which varies a ton depending on the photo setup.
With the second you need an ASET image to see if the center is leaking or returning light.
If it is returning light it is the better of the 2.
The first is more in focus so it looks crisper.
The second is slightly out of focus.

 

[Karl_K]

Read the section:
Why is an expert skilled in step cuts needed?

http://journal.pricescope.com/Articles/60/1/Performance-and-the-p3-facets%2c-a-discussion-about-step-cut-diamonds.aspx

That is why you can not trust regular pictures and need an ASET/IS image or on someones fingers or close to a red background.
If the diamond is held up in the air with no background close you can't tell a thing about it and the picture is useless.