Setting''s effect on Asscher fire, brilliance, etc.?

[JulietRomeoTango]

Can a setting which covers a good deal of the pavilion but none to very little of the table have an adverse effect on the brilliance, fire, scintillation, etc. of an asscher shaped diamond? Or, does it matter little since most of the light enters from the top and is reflected back out through the crown of the diamond?

In short I guess what I am really wondering is: since clarity is so often listed as an important quality to look for in a fancy cut, should I worry about setting design obscuring some of the underside and side light entering the diamond as well?

Thanks to anyone with better knowledge of diamond optics.

 

[Ellen]

If a stone is well cut (cut being key), an enclosed setting should not hamper the performance, because as you said, light enters from the top. If a stone is not so well cut, and rather leaky, it has been said that having a very open setting can help.

 

[FB.]

The Mrs has a three-stone (round diamond) ring with rim/bezel/rubover setting of the stones. The sides of the stones are almost entirely enclosed, apart from the tip of the culet being visible through the side and bottom of the mounting. In other words, the only light enters from the top of the stones.
The diamonds are as bright and lively as any others that I''ve seen (although they are D/IF, super-ideal cuts that score 1.4-1.8 if you run their stats through the HCA).

 

[strmrdr]

if well cut it don''t matter much.
With the vast majority on the market it will make a difference because they are not well cut.

 

[JulietRomeoTango]

Thank you Ellen, RB, Strmrdr for your replies and help.

Strmrdr, if I understand you correctly, very few asschers are well-cut enough to have the setting make *no* difference in their reflective properties out the top.

With your patience and indulgence, let me get specific and ask about the following diamond http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/3693/

It seems, based on the ASET, that this diamond while appearing beautiful and well-cut has some leakage - and that this leakage actually adds or creates an interesting step pattern. Please correct me if I am wrong about this. Will this step pattern be affected by a setting that does not allow light in from below?

Thanks.

 

[strmrdr]

Date: 8/3/2009 8:43:02 PM
Author: JulietRomeoTango
Thank you Ellen, RB, Strmrdr for your replies and help.


Strmrdr, if I understand you correctly, very few asschers are well-cut enough to have the setting make *no* difference in their reflective properties out the top.


With your patience and indulgence, let me get specific and ask about the following diamond http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/3693/


It seems, based on the ASET, that this diamond while appearing beautiful and well-cut has some leakage - and that this leakage actually adds or creates an interesting step pattern. Please correct me if I am wrong about this. Will this step pattern be affected by a setting that does not allow light in from below?


Thanks.

yea it would be affected somewhat, the leakage areas would be darker.
Have Jon take a picture against a dark background for you.

 

[Moh 10]

My diamonds are tension set.
I can hold my ring so that I'm looking right down into the top, but that's not how I usually see it.
In real life I see it from all angles.

When I drive and my hand is on the steering wheel I see a perfect side profile.
When I'm typing or writing I see it at an angle between side and top-down.

I understand diamonds are graded looking straight down but honestly I am happy I see blings of color when looking from all angles.

Plus in real life as I move my arm and hand around light not only exits the diamond but it enters from all angles.
It even enters the bottom of the diamond, which could exit the top or side.
Hey, I'll take all the color I can get.

I understand that good cut is judged only by light entering and exiting the top but now that I've been wearing tension set diamonds I am very appreciative of blings I get from all around the diamond, regardless of how I'm holding my hand.

My opinion is the more visible the entire surface of your diamond is the more you will get the light show that you paid for.
If I fully bezel set my diamonds I'd be covering up half the fireworks display.
I'd have to hold my hand at a certain angle to enjoy it.

Tension settings rock.

 

[JulietRomeoTango]

Thanks Moh 10,

I appreciate the different perspective. Unfortunately, my FI does not like tensions settings. She likes art deco and 20s style jewelry and I do not think they had tension settings back then. Do you really watch your ring while driving?!

Kind of puts extra pressure on me to know that the ring could mean so much to someone. Happy at least to have found PS and to be proceeding with caution.

 

[JulietRomeoTango]

Good idea Strmrdr. I will definitely set up an appointment with GOG as soon as I have saved up enough $$ to purchase the stone. Thanks.