Light Return Opinion

[verticalhorizon]

Would you say that more of a contrast between white light and colored light return produces a better affect or equally high levels for both?

My new Jubilee, in certain lights reflects back like a mirror. The whole thing just lights up like a flashlight. But there''s something to be said for a diamond with more contrast. You would be able to see individual flashes much more easily.

Which do you prefer?

 

[verticalhorizon]

Anyone? Beuller?

 

[alexah]

Funny, in the original Jubilee post, i asked Rhino if the Juby would have smaller glittery sparkles or larger chunky flashes (like the difference in the way a round & princess cut sparkles). Not sure if that's what you mean?

I, personally, like the smaller sparkles- to me it (my princess) looks like rainbow glitter in a snow globe... except in direct sunlight it flashes in small bursts of white & color.

Here's another question - how far away can someone see the light flashes? This wknd, someone about 10 ft away from me said she could see my ring throwin off rainbows...

 

[verticalhorizon]

Very interesting... How big is the rock?

I think that, in larger sizes, the Jubilee will be more big flashes. But I was a little caught off guard by what I saw when I received it.

When looking at Maul Princess stones, they were mostly dark-ish, with reflections that resembled a 4th of July sparkler.

When I got my Jubilee, while you could see sparkles, sometimes, the whole face just reflected back light. Sometimes, it appears to be glowing in the dark (similar to a recent thread). That's when I starting thinking, is more noticible to have a greater contrast, than total light return?

Oh and BTW, I looked back at the original Jubilee post and alexah's original question was never really addressed.

 

[alexah]

My princess is 2.55 - i wonder if the size of the stone somehow factors into the distance light flashes can be seen...?

The maul stones you saw most likely had sketchy cuts/large tables... Mine's not dark & i find the colored light return more pronounced than the white but maybe it simply catches my eye more? 4th of July sparkler? maybe

but only if it sparks in colors...

Thanks for looking bk to the original post, VH

I think Rhino's computer was on the blink so he didn't get to answer all the questions?

 

[Shay37]

VH, according to the B-scope on my stone, it is pretty evenly balanced between white and colored light return. I find that the lighting it is viewed in is VERY influential in what I see in my stone. Direct light=high huge flashes of color. Ambient light=more white flashes and more of an overall white appearance with the contrast of the arrows in the bottom (when you look down in stone) really popping out more. Does that make any sense to you? If so, does it answer your question? Anyone else find it difficult to describe their diamond (what you see when you look at it) to others, or am I just inept? LOL

Shay

 

[verticalhorizon]

Shay, same Q as alexah... what size if your rock?

I ask, b/c I think that as the diamond gets bigger, the facets are proportionately larger as well and I think they will carry the light a little farther. But that's just my theory.

 

[valeria101]

I am not sure I understand what you mean VH, but at least one brand cuts more facets on larger stones than it does on the small to keep the "look" consistent. I suppose that the size of facets are considered key for the sum total look of he stone by those guys.

Simmilarly, step cuts get a bad name since they produce larger flashes of light instead of the "overall" sparkle of the brilliant cuts that you describe.


As for "from what distance will they see the ring". Honestly, it's hard to tell from 5 meters away wether someone wears a ring at all, no matter what that is. And no, my eyesight is not that bad... The "sparkle from accross the room" is most likely a word of wisedom more than description of a visual impression.


That stone of yours is defintely BIG enough

 

[verticalhorizon]

I'm hoping it is too, but wouldn't it stand to reason that the a single facet on a 57 facet 3ct RB is going to be larger that the same facet on a 57 facet 1ct RB given that all the other specs are identical? Then wouldn't the 'flash' that comes from the larger rock be more noticible?

It would be like the reflection from a compact mirror, verses the reflection of a wall mirror to signal a plane?

 

[Shay37]

VH, sorry it took me so long to get back to you. My ring is a .76 ct. SC (yes I went branded) I don't regret that either. I may have paid a bit of a premium over an unbranded H&A online; but where I live, I couldn't have bought this stone for what I paid for the whole ring. Now I need to have someone put on or hold my ring and have them move away from me and see how far away I can still notice the flashes. (an experiment if you will) Will post to this thread the results of my search.

Shay

 

[verticalhorizon]

Let me make a public announcement that I have nothing against branded cuts. I bought one myself!

But certainly when talking about RBs, I'm a firm believer in non-branded ones. Plus, I should say that I dont' really consider SC a [big] brand. I consider SC a great buy when compared to something like HoF RB.

I am looking forward to hearing the results of your experiment. Perhaps I shall try one of my own. Of course, it depends on where you conduct it too. Good luck!

 

[Shay37]

Okay, VH, step one of the "experiment" was conducted last night at about midnight. Started in kitchen. Ceiling fan with two regular 60 watt lightbulbs. It sort of diffuses because of the globes that all but cover the lights. Had DH put ring to almost first knuckle of his pinky (he was so not feeling the love)and begin to back away from me. I had the dining room chandelier on as well. With the kitchen as primary source of light, the ring had a great deal of brilliance. Lots of white flashes. (no, Honey, wiggle it more like this..there's a good boy)

At about eight feet away, with the chandelier behind, and the kitchen light fading, the diamond did not have flashes, just a white appearance. At about nine feet away, the chandelier came into play (think stadium) and the HUGE flashes of color began to leap about. Easily visible as far away from me as he could get at that angle (about 15 feet). I was pleased and a little surprised by the result. Like you, I had thought that a smaller diamond would not have bigger flashes. But, I have to say, that the color flashes were bigger than the white flashes. Of course, that lines up with the B-scope. Pegged VH3 for colored, VH2 for white, VH2 for scintillation. Can't wait to hear your results.

Today I may enlist my four year old son for a daytime "experiment." Hopefully this will give a balanced view to my decidedly unscientific "experimenting."

Shay

 

[Shay37]

Okay, VH, step one of the "experiment" was conducted last night at about midnight. Started in kitchen. Ceiling fan with two regular 60 watt lightbulbs. It sort of diffuses because of the globes that all but cover the lights. Had DH put ring to almost first knuckle of his pinky (he was so not feeling the love)and begin to back away from me. I had the dining room chandelier on as well. With the kitchen as primary source of light, the ring had a great deal of brilliance. Lots of white flashes. (no, Honey, wiggle it more like this..there's a good boy)

At about eight feet away, with the chandelier behind, and the kitchen light fading, the diamond did not have flashes, just a white appearance. At about nine feet away, the chandelier came into play (think stadium) and the HUGE flashes of color began to leap about. Easily visible as far away from me as he could get at that angle (about 15 feet). I was pleased and a little surprised by the result. Like you, I had thought that a smaller diamond would not have bigger flashes. But, I have to say, that the color flashes were bigger than the white flashes. Of course, that lines up with the B-scope. Pegged VH3 for colored, VH2 for white, VH2 for scintillation. Can't wait to hear your results.

Today I may enlist my four year old son for a daytime "experiment." Hopefully this will give a balanced view to my decidedly unscientific "experimenting."

Shay

 

[Shay37]

Sorry double post. Darn kids.

Shay

 

[alexah]

That's so cool Shay - thanks so much for conducting that experiment! I'd no idea that flashes would be so noticable from such a distance... would luv to hear what happens in bright daylight

 

[limey]

----------------
On 5/14/2004 11:56:14 AM Shay37 wrote:
(no, Honey, wiggle it more like this..there's a good boy)----------------

Can I use that in my PS sig file?

 

[valeria101]

Crazy !!!!!

but cute

 

[luvmysparklies]

MMM-
I think your logic is correct because when I compare the size of the flashes/colored light coming from my .50ct to my 2.40ct. there is clearly a difference in the size of the flash. And I prefer the big broad flashes of colored light, almost don't care about white light. I like my rainbows big and intense. That's what I appreciate about the 8* and some of the chunkier cut arrows on some AGS0 stones. Big, bold, chunky flashes of colored light.

Luv

 

[Shay37]

Andrew, you certainly may.

Shay

 

[verticalhorizon]

Shay,

Great experiment! I'm so pleased by your results! Aren't we a bunch of nerds?

 

[Shay37]

Yes, VH, we are. Isn't it great?

If I come up with any other crazy experiments, I'll post about the results.

Shay

 

[verticalhorizon]

For anybody interested, also check these back threads for additional discussion on internal contrast and light return.

Thread #1

Thread #2

 

[Shay37]

Okay, VH, here goes. I was cleaning my kitchen tonight. (later than usual) I always leave my ring on the counter, well away from the sink. As I was walking around, a flash caught my eye. Sure enough it was my ring just twinkling away on the counter as I moved around the kitchen. I ran to get my digital camera in the hopes that I could get a pic of what I was seeing. The kitchen has two 60 watts remember. The counter in that corner is unbearably dark. I did not use a flash, and these were taken about 11:20 p.m. I was standing between 8 to 10 feet away and just used the normal settings on the camera. (no closeups or anything) Also the lights are not pointing in the direction of my ring. This is so weird, because I would not expect to see this amount of fire in these conditions. Oh, well. Pics to follow. (forgot to include before writing post) Ayyyy, it's late.

What do you expect. Mad scientist at work.

Shay

 

[Shay37]

Here is the first one. Hope you can see what I am talking about.

Shay

 

[Shay37]

This is the only other one that came out.

Shay

 

[verticalhorizon]

Hurrah! So Cool!

Just goes to show... a great cut is certainly the most important "C"!

Shay, now post a pic (or a link to thread) of your ring!

 

[Shay37]

Okay will try to post a link to my ring. Also my avatar has been updated to be my ring. My SuperbCert Some of the pics didn't turn out as well as I would have liked, but I think you get the idea.

Shay

 

[Shay37]

Just one more to show how large a well cut diamond can look. Keep in mind that my fingers are slender. (size 4 3/4) Still, it is a .76 ct. I think it looks much larger.

Shay

 

[verticalhorizon]

And we should re-iterate that the kitchen brilliance photo experiement was done WITHOUT a flash!

 

[researcher]

Your diamond is GORGEOUS, Shay! I absolutely love it! I can't believe the carat size is accurate! It definitely looks more like a 1-1.5 ct.