Question - should I be concerned with the black from the arrows in the diamond?

[The Stig]

All,

Now that I have the stunning eRing in hand, I have been looking at it in various light conditions. One thing I notice now is the black from the arrows in the facets. I know that this is common from looking at online images of diamonds, but just checking if this is totally normal? Or is normal looking at the diamond and not seeing the black arrows? Hope it’s not a stupid question

 

[HappyNewLife]

All,

Now that I have the stunning eRing in hand, I have been looking at it in various light conditions. One thing I notice now is the black from the arrows in the facets. I know that this is common from looking at online images of diamonds, but just checking if this is totally normal? Or is normal looking at the diamond and not seeing the black arrows? Hope it’s not a stupid question

I have a Whiteflash ACA and have never seen black arrows. I was told it’s because the arrows in the WF images are black due to a reflection of the black camera.

My arrows are definitely there, but never black. The image below shows the arrows and how my diamond looks depending on the phone case I’m using.

 

[Karl_K]

depends on the viewing distance.
If its dark from 6 inches that is normal, less so at 8-10 and less and less as it is moved away and not very much at all at 1/2 arm length.
Often times they are over obstructed in photos that is like looking at them from 3 inches so it is hard to tell by a photo.
Obstruction issues are fairly easy to judge by eye but next to impossible by photos.

 

[Karl_K]

Also keep in mind that diamonds can only return light that reaches them and they are returning light from behind you, you might be a bright room but in front or above of you a dark wall/ceiling and it will look dark.

 

[holeydonut]

To be honest, I could not replicate the photos seen online with the arrows super black. I think, to get the black arrows to appear, you need to have a large black obstruction straight over the diamond and get the diffuse lighting through the crown to be perfect. Probably something found in a studio/shot setting, but not a real-life environment.

Separately, I had an easier time getting a photo of only the arrows by blocking all light except for the light coming in from the top.

In a normal lighting scenario, the light just kind of goes everywhere and the diamond just sparkles without darkness. I think the darkness appearance or instances where you see the setting/hand through the ring are due to poor cuts. I've seen stones where the pavilion is cut too deep and light was clearly leaking out causing dark areas. The super-ideals seem to face up very white/clear compared to the lesser cuts.

Face up by obstructing the light going through the table, but allowing light through the crown:


Blocking side-light and only allowing top-down light through the table. Damn that diamond got dirty

 

[The Stig]

Thanks guys. I was finally able to take another look (the SO has been by my side all week), and the diamond is absolutely perfect. I think my eyes were probably just playing tricks on me previously. I guess they do that when dealing with a 15k purchase.

 

[gm89uk]

https://www.pricescope.com/communit...light-performance-diamond-photography.227610/

courtesy of @flyingpig