Setting too Low??

[lisak]

Hi,
My ring is a 1.55 carat princess cut, set in an extremely low setting with 2 .10 carat baguettes on either side. My question: Is the setting TOO low and blocking light, making the diamond look bad sometimes? In some lights, the center looks black and the sides lighter and I''m wondering if that has anything to do with the diamond itself (the cut of the diamond) or if i got it set in something where it was alone and set a little higher would it look better in these lights? We spent SO much $$ on this and I don''t want the diamond looking cheap just b/c of the setting! Esp since that is easier to change than getting a new diamond! Any help on this would be GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!! THank you!
Lisa

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

A good idea is to set it really high, but then it will probably chip

A well cut stone gets most of its light from above - but if yours is not well cut, you could always set it upside down?

No, I think it is my bed time

 

[denverappraiser]

It''s probably caused by the cutting on the stone. Read up on the ''bowtie'' by using the search box near the top right corner of this page. Diamonds also look quite different when they are dirty and a simple cleaning may help.

Diamonds generally display very little transmitted light. It''s the light from above that counts.

Neil Beaty
GG(GIA) ISA NAJA
Independent Appraisals in Denver

 

[Catmom]

Hi Lisak~

I have a similiar story, maybe this will help. My 1.62 ct princess stone was originally set in a high, cathedral solitaire setting. This setting was very nice and the stone did sparkle in some lighting, but nothing spectacular. I just thought that it was probably a poorly cut diamond. Earlier this year I had the setting changed to the one in my avatar. It has side diamonds of .64 tcw. I was hoping that the new setting would help add sparkle to my center stone. I had my jeweler set the stone as high as as he could as that was what I was used to and liked. When I received my new ring back I immediately thought that the center stone was switched somehow.........to a stone of way better cut quality than what I originally had! In this new setting my princess performs amazingly. If there is the least little bit of light, it is there sparkling away. Get it in the sunlight or store lights and you can be blinded. Both my husband and I cannot believe the difference in the performance of the stone. All because of a new setting. I''m not sure what exactly caused this amazing turn around. I do know that the head was changed from a basket head to a V head. Does this let in more light? The stone itself sits very high. Does this let in more light? There are now stones on either side. Does this contribute?

Bottom line, in my experience only, the setting can make a big difference in the performance of the stone.

 

[headlight]

It has been my experience that the setting type and height definitely make a difference in the stone''s appearance. Unfortunately, I just feel more comfortable for a variety of reasons (banging, spinning, standing out too much, etc.) to not have a higher setting and have my stones set as low in the setting as possible, short of the culet touching my skin. Also, I prefer, aesthetically, the look of basket settings. Because of these two preferences, I am certain that I "lose" in other areas, that being the performance because the stone is "tucked down" in there so much.

 

[northstar_78]

A couple of questions for you. What metal are your diamonds set in? Also, do your baguettes match the color of your princess? I''d like to know more about the ring itself...basket setting? Peg head?

 

[lisak]

Its platinum...and the baguettes and teh stone are both H color. I think it really has to do with the cut. the table is 80% and the depth something like 74%. we went back to the jeweler but he is trying to tell me its an EXCELLENT cut stone. they have screwed us constantly and i''m just trying to get some answers!!!

 

[researcher]

Hmmm....I don''t know the answer, but I can tell you my stone is set really low (the point of the diamond is practically touching my finger) and I don''t have those problems. My guess is your stone is not the best cut. While the new AGS princess cut parameters suggest a depth of at least 72.16% for a table of 80% which your stone has, my guess is your stone may leak a lot of light. Changing settings may help, but my guess is you''re right about the cut.

 

[northstar_78]

Hmmm...I know very little about Princess cuts and percentages and the like but if your jeweler sold you this stone on the basis that it was an ''excellant cut'' and it''s not...

-Is it certified? Do you have documentation of the cut?

-How does it compare or not compare with the specifications in the Fancy Cuts section?

-If the jeweler deliberately sold it to you as an ''excellant'' while knowing that it wasn''t you might have some wiggle room.

At the very least you are not happy with something you purchased from him and he should help you...maybe suggest a "free" upgrade to a better setting?

 

[lisak]

we went back today and they wanted nothing to do with us. told us we were ridiculous and this was an excellent cut stone and its all in my head that it looks bad in some lights. i don''t even know what to do anymore. we paid SO much for this and even got it appraised by an independent appraiser who appraised it for thousands less than we paid. he told us it was CRAP and that this guy was wrong. i mean, seriously, we are dealing with very shady people. I hate the Diamond District in NYC!!!

 

[lisak]

Oh and yes we have the GIA certificate, but that doesn''t really say the cut on it....

 

[northstar_78]

Lisa as long as you have the GIA certficate go plug the numbers into the Fancy Shapes section on the diamond education page and see how yours match up.

 

[AChiOAlumna]

Lisa...you may want to take your ring to another appraiser and get their opinion as to whether this stone is really an "excellent" cut or not. bring your GIA paperwork with you and then they can verify the cut of the stone as well as the performance.

Good luck to you!

ETA: I missed that you already took it to a 2nd appraiser...did you get the 2nd appraisal in writing? I would bring that appraisal to the jeweler you bought the stone from and show them that their quality isn't what was promised...then I would contact the Better Business Bureau and file a complaint if this jeweler isn't willing to work with you!