Mixing non-ideal and ideal stones in three stone ring??

[abbey]

Just curious what everyone''s opinion is on putting together a three stone ring. I have a stone purchased before I found pricescope

and we knew little (except what the salespeople told us) about diamonds. What we purchased is a non-ideal stone. All I currently know is what I have on the Gia Cert (1.27 DVS2, 58.9D, 61T EX, EX, no flour)... I would like to add side stones now, but now that I''m more educated (thanks to all of you!) I''m having a hard time thinking that I will have to buy stones with the same cut parameters as my current stone. My options are:
1. Go get a sarin on my current stone and only buy side stones to match cut parameters.
2. Buy two ideal stones to match in color only .... -Will this make my current stone look really bad?
I keep hearing that the side stones need to match the cut of the center.
What do you think?

 

[valeria101]

how big are the sides going to be?

 

[abbey]

I'm thinking a minimum of .75 each and maybejust three equal size stones...

 

[valeria101]

I would match cut quality, in this case, looking for table size, pavilion depth and IdealScope "look" to approximate the center stone, while the two sides should match colsely... I would think that more precission in matching will not be relevant to the look of the ring. Your stone could be a very nice cut, actually, given the known specs.

Just a thought, of course.

 

[abbey]

Thanks for the reply...So you don't think that I need to get a sarin with crown % etc... I plan to purchase online and I'm not sure how to compare scope images as I have none of my current stone...

 

[valeria101]

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On 2/19/2004 9:18:09 PM abbey wrote:



I plan to purchase online and I'm not sure how to compare scope images as I have none of my current stone...

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This, I would fix, if it was my ring at stake. Just matching the parameters you have about your stone gives only some indication about the look of the stones, and I would not judge this sufficient. In practice, a jeweler would try out several sets of side stone to find a match and not just go for three stones with simmilar depoth, table, color and clarity.

Given the info you already have, I suspect that getting an Iscope is the easiest way to learn about the optics of your stone (without visiting an appraiser and without taking it from the mounting to obtain Sarin data, or go for the rather approximate measurements feasible on a mounted stone).

My best guess ? Well, I would get a pair of stones with good cut (as the Iscope reference chart shows it) but not the best of the best H&A stones which would likely outshine the center. Matching the sides remains critical, so, even if you do not know every angle of your stone, the sides should be well documented (as per AGS reports) to obtain a good match between them. In my view, this does make the difference between great and so-so three stone rings, no matter what color, clarity and cut are

For example, These do make a nice pair (not your size range, but as well matched as you may wnat them)...

 

[Mara]

I would get the non-ideals to match your center stone. Your center stone will look one way and 'ideals' would look another. Trust me.

My stone is kind of like yours and it doesn't look like an ideal stone at all in how it flashes and returns light. To put two fairly large ideal stones next to it would IMO make the ring look like it doesn't match AND also probably shine the spotlight on the center stone in a not-so-great way.




It seems to go against the grain to try to find non-ideal stones to buy doesn't it? I feel the same way when I think about a 3 stone ring in the future! Maybe I will get lucky and Santa will drop an ideal stone in my lap. Hee hee.

 

[abbey]

Just another thought.... what if I found a stone to match my current one and used those for side stones and then purchased an Ideal cut for the center. Do I still have the same problem or is it ok to have the center outshine the sides even though they are the same size?

 

[Mara]

I personally don't think that mixing ideals and non-ideals works in something like a 3 stone. The stones are so close together that unless you did a different CUT (e.g. round for center and baguettes for side, or princesses etc), then it will be IMO visible that they are different somehow. If that does not bother you, then you should be fine. I am huge visual symmetry person in general and if something doesn't match, it drives me nuts...hee hee.

 

[diane5006]

Wow difficult situation...

So do the side stones need to be diamond...or would be interesed in colored stones for the sides...I am fond of sapphires myself

Just a thought

 

[Hest88]

At that size, you definitely want it to match the center as closely as possible. Another vote for non-ideal.

 

[Patty]

abbey, I'm with Diane. Why not go with sapphire side stones?

I also think your idea of going with an ideal center stone using your old diamond as one of the side stones might work. If you match the color of the three and have your side stones match each other I would think the middle one might stand out in a nice way...bigger and more sparkly.

 

[pqcollectibles]

Another vote for keeping all similar cut quality or go colored gemstones. You put your non-Ideal between 2 Ideals and everyone, including diamond dummies, will notice.