Opinions on I colored diamond in a white gold halo setting.

[cardinal74]

(First time diamond buyer alert)

I've been researching engagements rings off and on for what feels like a decade now. I'm going to look at a diamond on Monday that I fully expect to blow me away. The only caveat is that it's an I color. Everything I have read indicates that the color is the best aspect to compromise on.

However, I know my future fiance wants a white gold setting with a halo, which seems to be the type of setting most affected by color.

So, what do the pricescopers think? How noticable will this be? Can appropriate colored melee stones be used to mitigate this issue to a satisfactory level?

 

[Liam-Spillane]

Re: Opinions on I colored diamond in a white gold halo setti

An I color properly graded is fine in my opinion, but that's he catch. Usually if the aren't graded by GIA (the most accurate) or AGS (2nd place for color) I would say they are more likely a J-K or even an L. Here's what you do; look at a GIA certified I color diamond or band and see if you can tell the difference when you compare it. Most people won't notice a yellow ting in smaller diamonds unless it is a J or higher face up.

** I almost bought a EGL certified I color diamond and it had a noticeable color, giving me a false idea what a true I color was. I took it to a private appraiser and she said that it really is a K in color.

I have even been to a place where they said, "this is an EGL certified F color" and I said, "it looks more like a J." Then they get honest since the realize you know what your talking about and say, "no its and I at worst, but probably a true H if it was graded by GIA."

 

[Dreamer_D]

Re: Opinions on I colored diamond in a white gold halo setti

Melee diamonds always look "whiter" than the center stone. This is an issue of the optics being different for small and larger stones. You can't really buy lower color melee and fix this, because it is not a function of body color.

For me, I would not halo an I color stone. My own diamond is a J color and close to an I in my estimate. It looks gorgeous on its own, but does contrast noticably with melee stones. The white appearance of melee highlights my stone's warmth in a way I do not really like. So for a halo, I would personally aim for an H color or even G color. Colorless stones will not show the same contrast with melee than a more tinted stone will show.

Others feel differently about this and happily halo I/J color diamonds, though. Without seeing the ring in person, its hard to know how you feel about this issue, unfortunately.

 

[Gypsy]

Re: Opinions on I colored diamond in a white gold halo setti

You can get lower color melee if it really bothers you. But it might require you going custom.

I would have them put the diamond into a halo setting in front of you and see what you think. I don't think it would bother me if it were the right setting.

 

[Eskiez]

Re: Opinions on I colored diamond in a white gold halo setti

I agree with Gypsy. I was looking at 2 I color cushions with Perry and ERD yesterday and I would have had no hesitation putting a halo on either. I really think it depends on the face-up color of the stone you have your eye on. As Perry explained to me, since the stones are graded for color upside down, it could look whiter face-up than the stated color. And each stone has it's own characteristics. As Gypsy said, you should have your jeweler show you the stone in a halo setting so that you can determine if you own eye is bothered by the difference.

 

[Winks_Elf]

Re: Opinions on I colored diamond in a white gold halo setti

My .67 I/SI Infinity is going into a halo setting. I was going to have it put in a Ribbon, but there was an issue with the shank and I decided to go with the Grace halo (Vatche) instead. I'll post pics when I get it.

 

[LD]

Re: Opinions on I colored diamond in a white gold halo setti

This is an I colour (GIA graded) diamond set in platinum and white melee. The central stone has very strong blue fluor so has never shown a hint of yellow. I was never aware of a difference between the melee and the central stone (it's since been re-set but was nothing to do with colours and was just a style thing)!

However, a word of caution! There are I colour diamonds and then there are I colour diamonds! If the one you are considering shows more yellow then it may not look good with the halo.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Re: Opinions on I colored diamond in a white gold halo setti

One way to test your own preference without actually setting the stone is to hold the loose stone next to an eternity ring with diamonds of similar size to the ones you plan to use in a halo. Look at the stone on its own, next to a plane gold band, and next to the diamond band. See if you see any differences in how you perceive the look of the main stone. This is how I learned I don't prefer my J color stone next to smaller diamonds.

 

[sparklyforever]

Re: Opinions on I colored diamond in a white gold halo setti

Eskiez..
If I may ask, you decided against the AVC?
I saw that stone in person - I thought it was amazing..
What changed your mind if I can ask?

 

[Eskiez]

Re: Opinions on I colored diamond in a white gold halo setti

Sorry to thread-jack!

SparklyForever-- It came down to a matter of size vs. price. I have no doubt that AVC is incredible (based on the pics/ASET), but on Friday we met with Perry Chen and found a beautiful 1.78ct with a better spread for $2k less. The AVC was the most expensive of all of the stones we were considering, and the smallest. As I was already pushing our budget to its absolute max, I decided it was probably best to let it go. It's so hard to make this kind of decision without lining all of the stones up next to each other too!

Eskiez..
If I may ask, you decided against the AVC?
I saw that stone in person - I thought it was amazing..
What changed your mind if I can ask?