My Question ... Any Input Is Appreciated

[monstertruckfan]

I'm new here, so please forgive me if I'm posting incorrectly. I've read here for many months and I appreciate the wealth of knowledge I've read here. Here is my situation:
Back in January, I lost the original stone to my engagement ring. Apparently a prong was loose. So my husband & I chose a replacement. It is bigger than the original & I'm really happy for the upgrade. But I'm also a bit disappointed. It doesn't shine & sparkle or wow me the way I expected that it would & I'm becoming a bit discouraged about it.
Here are the GIA Certified stats: size = .52, color = G, clarity = FL, cut = round brilliant, cut, polish, symmetry = all are EX, depth = 61.8, crown = 34.5, table = 55, pavilion = 40.8, girdle = medium, cutlet = none, fluorescence = none.
I've never paid that much attention to diamonds before this happened to me. It was in the choosing of the replacement stone that this whole diamond world beamed onto my radar.
Am I expecting too much or am I correct in thinking that on paper this is a great stone and I thought it would simply blind me with brilliance and dazzle me to no end. It does not. Where did I go wrong?
It does dazzle in certain lighting situations: my kitchen, my bedroom, the jewelry store when I take it in for maintenance, at church, at the office, etc. It looks pretty bland in almost all other lighting situations. I esp. thought it would look stunning in bright sunlight. It is pretty ho-hum.
I have other diamonds on an anniversary band that I've come to find are like H or I colors and S1 (?) clarity, etc. "Lesser" diamonds for lack of a better word. There are times when those "lesser" stones put my solitaire to shame. I even have a fake Diamonique eternity band that seems to at times outshine the solitaire.
Any ideas what is going on with my situation? Thanks for your time and input.

 

[EvaEvans]

Nowadays people focus on cut, someones focus on color/clarity, but the truth is that the most important is the real nature of the diamond crystal. Some diamond crystals just sparkle more that others!
Many diamond imitations have great sparkle, that I call "fake" sparkle, but there is no other crystal than real diamond that can brake up the white light into its rainbow colors in such glamours way. This said, I will always purchase real untreated diamonds.
If you are not content with the stone that you purchased, simply return it or exchange it for something else that trill you.

 

[monstertruckfan]

Thank you for your response ... I really appreciate your input. I'll certainly think on this situation I'm in. I only own the one fake diamond ring. I bought it because the price was "affordable" and I was curious to compare it to a real diamond. I only mentioned it to express how even the fake one at times looks better than my unimpressive replacement solitaire. My original was so tiny that if it twinkled (or hinted at a twinkle) I was delighted. With the bigger stone, I guess I was expecting something flashier.
Like I said, the numbers looked absolutely wonderful for my price range. I guess I was expecting it to live up to it's grading.
This is really a teachable moment for me so if anyone else has an opinion about why this stone is missing the wow factor, I'd appreciate additional input. I'd love to be better informed for my next genuine diamond purchase. Thanks!

 

[drk14]

You are right to be confused, as the numbers suggest this is a well cut stone with a HCA=1.3 and within TIC range. Even accounting for GIA's rounding of angle values, HCA should be no greater than 1.7 (for crown angle 34.7 and pavilion angle 40.9). Perhaps there is an issue with optical precision (3-dimensional symmetry)? Would you be able to get IdealScope or ASET images?

Hopefully somebody with more expertise in MRBs will stop by this thread to help you solve this mystery!

I esp. thought it would look stunning in bright sunlight. It is pretty ho-hum.

My understanding is that for some reason, well-cut MRB diamonds actually do not look that great in direct, bright, sunlight. In other light environments, however, I would agree that this diamond should perform extremely well, unless there is some hidden issue...

 

[tyty333]

I know this is a "duh" question but have you cleaned it lately? It has very nice numbers.

 

[drk14]

I know this is a "duh" question but have you cleaned it lately? It has very nice numbers.

Good call! Hopefully that's all it is -- hand lotion on the pavilion!

 

[monstertruckfan]

Thank you all for your responses. Yes, I clean it regularly .. I aim for at least once a week. When I first got it (the new stone) I cleaned it like everyday. Just to keep the tarnish away and to make the gold sparkle & shine as much as the diamonds. I just had it professionally cleaned at my jeweler's (I do this every 3 months) ... I know, I'm obsessive.

I clean it w/Mr. Clean weekly (per the jeweler who said that's what they use), and touch up w/a polishing cloth afterwards and between cleanings.

Everybody says it shines like new even though the setting is 31 years old (or older, but I've been married for 31 years). And no, it wasn't a "duh" question. I didn't think to say that I keep my jewelry very clean. Well, the mystery continues. I'm going to study diamonds a bit more and maybe I'll stumble across an answer. There could very well be a hidden issue as mentioned. I may never know! Believe it or not, I do feel better now that I can tell I'm not half crazy when I look at it and question it. Thanks y'all!!!!!

 

[valeria101]

Is there any way you could compare your diamond with a H&A ?

It isn't impossible that you are finding a relatively larger diamond dull ... just unusual. The pinfire of small ones is a nice effect !

Even if you decide that the smallest diamonds are the best, you would not be alone wishing for small facets on larger diamonds ... there are fancy cuts done that way, esp. in fancy colors WWW.

 

[drk14]

Maybe post some pictures or video? And look into getting getting yourself an IdealScope, they're not expensive, and may shed some light on this diamond (pun intended...).

 

[monstertruckfan]

I'm not sure how I would do that. I guess I'd have to go to a jewelry store & ask to look through their magnifier? I'll have to look into it. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[princessandthepear]

Is it possible that your setting is interfering with the amount of light that gets to your stone? Closed settings like bezels or those that limit light to the pavilion (bottom) of your diamond can really kill the sparkle. A simple solitaire setting really shows off a diamond IMO.

 

[drk14]

I'm not sure how I would do that. I guess I'd have to go to a jewelry store & ask to look through their magnifier? I'll have to look into it. Thanks for the suggestion.

Most jewelry stores will not know what an IdealScope is. You can order your own IdealScope on one of these websites:
https://datlas.com/ideal-scope-store/
https://ideal-scope.com/shop/

If you're asking how to take pictures of your diamond, please refer to this excellent thread:

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/how-to-take-good-photos-of-your-diamonds.102989/

Is it possible that your setting is interfering with the amount of light that gets to your stone? Closed settings like bezels or those that limit light to the pavilion (bottom) of your diamond can really kill the sparkle.

This is not true for an ideal cut MRB, so it would not really explain what OP is experiencing.

 

[monstertruckfan]

Most jewelry stores will not know what an IdealScope is. You can order your own IdealScope on one of these websites:
https://datlas.com/ideal-scope-store/
https://ideal-scope.com/shop/

If you're asking how to take pictures of your diamond, please refer to this excellent thread:

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/how-to-take-good-photos-of-your-diamonds.102989/




This is not true for an ideal cut MRB, so it would not really explain what OP is experiencing.

Thanks. I'll look into it.

 

[monstertruckfan]

Most jewelry stores will not know what an IdealScope is. You can order your own IdealScope on one of these websites:
https://datlas.com/ideal-scope-store/
https://ideal-scope.com/shop/

If you're asking how to take pictures of your diamond, please refer to this excellent thread:

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/how-to-take-good-photos-of-your-diamonds.102989/




This is not true for an ideal cut MRB, so it would not really explain what OP is experiencing.

It's a 4 prong platinum head.

 

[MissGotRocks]

You say that the stone does dazzle in certain lighting environments and that is what a diamond does. It reflects the lighting of the area that it is in. If you are in a beige room you aren't going to get the sparkle that you will in overhead lighting. It can only mirror light from the environment that it is in. Yes, I do think that sometimes folks think a well cut diamond will just sparkle and glitter all the time and it simply does not work that way. A diamond is a reflector. The stone sounds very nice - do you have any pictures of the ring?

 

[monstertruckfan]

You make a great point. I guess I fell into that category thinking it would sparkle like crazy all the time. Now that you've mentioned it, I do remember reading that somewhere. Maybe I've just been expecting it to "perform" instead of just reflect. When it does sparkle it's amazing but it just doesn't sparkle as much/often as I guess I was thinking it should. Perhaps it is just the lighting I find myself in most of the time. Thank you.

 

[Tophat1]

I have a super ideal cut diamond. It performs magically in low lighting, diffuse lighting, office lighting, Costco lighting....basically anywhere other than direct sunlight. In direct sunlight, it seems to flood and go dull. I've read some posts on the same and don't understand the physics but it seems like there might be too much light being reflected from the stone so the eye can't see the contrast

 

[monstertruckfan]

Wow ... that sounds awesome!!

 

[monstertruckfan]

To the person who mentioned lotion. Thanks. It didn't hit me till this morning (tired last night). It might be a bit to do with soap residue. Yes, I wash my hands with my rings on (I touch things w/my rings on), but I take them off to apply lotion. Perhaps my rinsing needs to be stepped up & more thorough and I need to take an extra few seconds to make sure my rings are well rinsed also. Great thought ... thanks!

 

[mrs-b]

Hi monstertruckfan

Your stone sounds wonderful. Your specs are basically perfect. You can't possibly have any issue with inclusions. You have zero fluorescence. So I think the problem is your expectations, not the stone.

In the wrong lighting, diamonds can look quite dead. Alternately, if you come between your stone and the light, obstruction will be an issue (for ANY stone). Just remember, there is no light hiding inside a diamond; it's a well cut piece of polished rock and the light comes externally. It generates -zero- light of its own.

So, my best suggestion would be to look at other people's diamonds and compare with yours in those identical situations - I think you might find it's all about the lighting and not about the stone.

Your stone sounds wonderful - I hope you enjoy it.

 

[drk14]

So, my best suggestion would be to look at other people's diamonds and compare with yours in those identical situations - I think you might find it's all about the lighting and not about the stone.

I think OP did make comparisons to her own non-ideal diamonds (see quote below), which is why I thought her situation was confusing.

I have other diamonds on an anniversary band that I've come to find are like H or I colors and S1 (?) clarity, etc. "Lesser" diamonds for lack of a better word. There are times when those "lesser" stones put my solitaire to shame. I even have a fake Diamonique eternity band that seems to at times outshine the solitaire.

Some additional comparisons in various lighting conditions could help, though.

 

[monstertruckfan]

Thank you both. I'll try to do that. Usually when I think to look at mine it's because someone else's sparkle caught my eye & I begin wondering why mine isn't also sparkling ... but, that person is across the table from me or whatever so the light is hitting hers differently than it is hitting mine. That makes sense. Perhaps from across the table at her perspective, mine is also sparkling and catching her eye! I just don't see it because I'm looking at it from a different angle.
But then I also notice that my little ones are blinging away and my 1/2 ct seems to be just sitting there. Thus my confusion about the stone. Maybe my expectations are the issue and the stone is fine.

You guys are all so awesome! I'm so glad I discovered PriceScope!

 

[tyty333]

MTF...believe it or not most (ok, a lot) of Pricescopers clean their rings daily. Its just part of their routine of getting ready. Diamonds/stones collect oil and
all kinds of grit (more specifically, stuff ). An everyday cleaning before you go out doesnt hurt to keep it at its best. Add a weekly more thorough cleaning
with a steamer to get rid of the hard to reach and really tough to get off stuff.

We would love to see some up close photos of your ring. I hope you are able to enjoy it.

 

[FeFeV]

Nowadays people focus on cut, someones focus on color/clarity, but the truth is that the most important is the real nature of the diamond crystal. Some diamond crystals just sparkle more that others!
Many diamond imitations have great sparkle, that I call "fake" sparkle, but there is no other crystal than real diamond that can brake up the white light into its rainbow colors in such glamours way. This said, I will always purchase real untreated diamonds.
If you are not content with the stone that you purchased, simply return it or exchange it for something else that trill you.

Thank you for saying this! As a Geology buff I definitely understand the crystal properties that you're referencing about diamonds. How deep they are in the crust and even how old the Kimberlite is effects crystal production, which is all VERY independent from the 4 C's or the final cut of the diamond. Pyroclastic flows produce the ideal igneous conditions for high crystalization. Blah, blah, blah, in short, the sparkle of a diamond can be effected by these factors even with high grading "stats". I constantly wonder why no one mentions this info on these highly informative diamond threads

 

[Dancing Fire]

Here are the GIA Certified stats: size = .52, color = G, clarity = FL, cut = round brilliant, cut, polish, symmetry = all are EX, depth = 61.8, crown = 34.5, table = 55, pavilion = 40.8, girdle = medium, cutlet = none, fluorescence = none.

Those are my dream proportions ... it should sparkle beautifully in most lighting condition. I think you are expecting too much from a diamond. Diamonds don't sparkle in the dark.... except mine!...

 

[drk14]

I clean it w/Mr. Clean weekly (per the jeweler who said that's what they use), and touch up w/a polishing cloth afterwards and between cleanings.

When you clean it, do you just soak the ring in the solution, or do you scrub/brush it? I find that some physical rubbing is necessary to remove soap/lotion residue completely. I recommend using a soft baby toothbrush (a new one, that has never been used with toothpaste) to scrub the diamond, especially the pavilion factes. I use a solution of ammonia (e.g., Mr. Clean or Windex) and dish detergent (Dawn) in water to do the cleaning, then rinse with copious amounts of water (I use tap water first, followed by distilled water, but that may be overkill...).

If you're going to buy an IdealScope, you might also invest in a loupe, which is helpful for inspecting the diamond facets for grime.

Glad you found your way to PS, I hope you will stick around and persevere as we attempt to figure out what's going on with your diamond...

 

[monstertruckfan]

"it is harder to find a "MIND CLEAN" stone than a eye clean stone !!" ... yeah, that may be the majority of my "problem."
Daily cleaning? So I wasn't being obsessive? Wow!
I usually let it soak a bit then brush it w/a brush that came w/my Connoisseurs (?) cleaning solution that I used before switching to Mr. Clean. Then I buff it with a two-sided cloth (cleaning/polishing). I tried one of those jewelry cleaning machines (a cheap one from WM) & didn't like it so I returned it. I guess I prefer to clean my ring by hand.
I'll try to upload a pic.

 

[monstertruckfan]

Pic of my ring set. I hope I did this correctly.

 

[monstertruckfan]

 

[monstertruckfan]

1/2 ct anniversary band, 1/2 ct (replacement) engagement ring, 6 stone wrap, wedding band, 1/4 ct anniversary band. Some day I hope to replace the 1/4 ct band with another 1/2 ct band so that both ends are the same. The original stone in the engagement ring was like 1/10 ct or something.