Rhodolite garnet question

[Anita38]

Hello!

I was gifted for my birthday a LeVian ring with a rhodolite garnet. Although the rhodolite garnet is beautiful indoors, it blacks out when under direct sunlight outdoors. Does any of you know why this happens and whether it is a sign of a poor quality stone?

 

[PrecisionGem]

Many stones appear almost black in direct sunlight. Indirect sun is considered the lighting standard.

 

[fredflintstone]

Yes, direct sunlight overwhelms many stones. To much of a good thing, though some look great in direct sunlight. But a stone should not be judged because it blacks out in direct sunlight, and after all, you will be seeing a stone set in jewelry much more indoors with indoor lighting or indoor lighting mixed with indirect sunlight through windows.

Gene's answer is spot on.

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

Here is the reason why -its all about the efficiency of the light return.

SOME GOOD DIAMONDS LOOK DARK IN SUNLIGHT

Some good white diamonds look dark in direct sunlight. Yellow diamonds look great in sunlight but white diamonds look best in shaded lighting.

www.hollowaydiamonds.com.au

 

[Anita38]

Thank you for all your answers

 

[fredflintstone]

Here is the reason why -its all about the efficiency of the light return.

SOME GOOD DIAMONDS LOOK DARK IN SUNLIGHT

Some good white diamonds look dark in direct sunlight. Yellow diamonds look great in sunlight but white diamonds look best in shaded lighting.

www.hollowaydiamonds.com.au

Good article, Gary!

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

Good article, Gary!

Thx Fred

 

[Starstruck8]

You have had great answers from the experts.

Here's a demo with a malaia, which is basically just a lighter-toned rhodolite:

(The pictures were shot raw and adjusted separately for white balance and to match brightness of the reference at right, but were otherwise processed the same. Some of the direct reflections are clipped.)

In direct sun the stone shows bright flashes and high contrast, so looks dark. In softer light, both indoors and out, reflections are more evenly spread over the stone, so the stone looks brighter.

There's another issue: most reddish garnets are shifty - lighter and redder in 'redder' light, darker and more purple in 'bluer' light. I can see this in my stone, but it doesn't photograph.

FWIW, I've often been tempted by rhodolites in shops. They look great in 'sparkly' jewellery shop lighting. The bright coloured flashes against the darkish background are fascinating. But they are usually too dark in most other lighting. That's why I bought a malaia.