Three weird portrait stones--help?

[lovedogs]

I'm back with questions about my "diamond under diamond" ring!


Found 3 options of portrait cut stones. 2 are diamond, the other is sapphire.

Inspiration ring is here (just acting as inspo for "stone under stone" I won't copy anything else about the design).




Here are the options:

1. Portrait rose cut diamond with super cool color zoning







Option 2:
Another diamond with cool inclusion pattern


Option 3:
Sapphire with cool 'line' needle inclusions



I know none of these are "conventional" choices, but which would folks here choose? The sapphire is the largest and cheapest, but none are over budget.

The look I'm going for is the most neon possible tiny diamond under the portrait cut. The piece to me will symbolize a phoenix/rebirth, but not sure how ill bring that aesthetic into the design.

 

[Mjay]

I vote option 1

 

[LilAlex]

I think you need the most window-clear one. I worry that the gray tint in #1 or the yellow-brown tint in #3 will mask the neon color underneath. I can not tell about the color in #2. The one closest to a true "window" would be the "clear" winner for me -- akin to your inspo photo.

 

[lovedogs]

I think you need the most window-clear one. I worry that the gray tint in #1 or the yellow-brown tint in #3 will mask the neon color underneath. I can not tell about the color in #2. The one closest to a true "window" would be the "clear" winner for me -- akin to your inspo photo.

I think the clearest one is definitely 2

 

[lovedogs]

Here's an on hand picture of #2. The little smudges in the middle are just hand prints

 

[dvj]

I like the first diamond best, but I agree probably you want as little color as possible for the neon stone underneath to pop.

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

I'm back with questions about my "diamond under diamond" ring!


Found 3 options of portrait cut stones. 2 are diamond, the other is sapphire.

Inspiration ring is here (just acting as inspo for "stone under stone" I won't copy anything else about the design).




Here are the options:

1. Portrait rose cut diamond with super cool color zoning







Option 2:
Another diamond with cool inclusion pattern


Option 3:
Sapphire with cool 'line' needle inclusions



I know none of these are "conventional" choices, but which would folks here choose? The sapphire is the largest and cheapest, but none are over budget.

The look I'm going for is the most neon possible tiny diamond under the portrait cut. The piece to me will symbolize a phoenix/rebirth, but not sure how ill bring that aesthetic into the design.

oh wow i love option 2

 

[Dreamer_D]

I am liking option 2 as well. The inclusions add an interesting accent and I can see the under gem centered on the clear area, off-center relative to the whole piece.

 

[Starstruck8]

Those are all very cool. In my 'rock collector' mode, I find #1 fascinating. Thinking of the cubic symmetry, does the whitish area have a 'vertical' ray as well? If not, why not?

But for your purpose, I'd prefer #2. As you and others have said, it's the clearest. Also, if you are thinking of a phoenix, you could easily imagine the inclusions as the fire.

A possible problem: in the pic on the finger, I can't see the fingerprint ridges under the stone. But this may be caused by the lighting, not a lack of clarity. Maybe you could ask for picture with the stone held over some print or similar.

 

[lovedogs]

Those are all very cool. In my 'rock collector' mode, I find #1 fascinating. Thinking of the cubic symmetry, does the whitish area have a 'vertical' ray as well? If not, why not?

But for your purpose, I'd prefer #2. As you and others have said, it's the clearest. Also, if you are thinking of a phoenix, you could easily imagine the inclusions as the fire.

A possible problem: in the pic on the finger, I can't see the fingerprint ridges under the stone. But this may be caused by the lighting, not a lack of clarity. Maybe you could ask for picture with the stone held over some print or similar.

Actually,looking closer I think the "smudges" are the fingerprint ridges + moisture. But good idea to ask

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

these portrait cuts seem very Victorian to me, in those days i bleave they used to find it very exotic to see skin through the table
i just love the idea of a gem hiding underneath

 

[Avondale]

I vote #2 as well. The inclusion pattern just draws me in. And I fully agree with this:

Also, if you are thinking of a phoenix, you could easily imagine the inclusions as the fire.

#1 doesn’t do anything for me. #3 is cool with the needles, but not as cool as #2.

 

[molecule]

It might be best to decide on the underneath color first and have the portrait cut vendors stick that color bright paper under.

 

[Rfisher]

Is it cost prohibitive for you to play with these three in person?

I think directional clarity /obscurity toggling might actually could be a plus in a way?
But how clear is clear, I think is hard to tell in the photos.

 

[RMOO]

I like #2 the best. Its shape and inclusions make it the most interesting. I think that fact lends itself to the uniqueness of the whole design concept.

 

[lovedogs]

Got more pics of 2

definitely leaning towards it at this point.

Something about #1 is making me hesitate. It's just so weird and the zone pattern appeals to me, but I'm afraid the darker color won't allow the bright diamond Underneath to show through.

@Rfisher I would, but 2 of the 3 stones are international vendors, and I just can't deal with international returns right now. Too annoying and the risk of it not getting there.

#1 is in the US so tjats the only one i could buy to see IRL and be confident in a potential return.

 

[LilAlex]

^ I would want to see this against a pure white background, and maybe with a lower-color diamond in the same shot.

I like @Starstruck8's idea of incorporating the inclusions as a design element.

 

[SparklieBug]

I like #2 the best, because it's the clearest, and like the others, up thread, think the inclusions look like fire.

Also second (or third) the idea to ask the vendor to place a colored stone under #2 to better see how it might look.

 

[Mooshi]

I think option 1, you won't see any sparkle from the diamond below at all (is that what you are hoping for though?)
I vote option 2 for sure, super cool shape, the inclusions are super cool too, and it's very clear.
Option 3 I think will dull whatever is below it as well. I definitely vote option 2!

 

[lala646]

TStar has a nice portrait cut available right now too:

0.75ct Natural OP Color VS1 Clarity Portrait Cut Marquise Shape Diamond ::T STAR LIMITED

T Star Limited is well known for authentic Natural Colored Diamonds. We also provides rear & highly preferred Fancy yellow Diamond. For pure & authentic diamonds, Shop Now!

tstarlimited.com

 

[lovedogs]

TStar has a nice portrait cut available right now too:

0.75ct Natural OP Color VS1 Clarity Portrait Cut Marquise Shape Diamond ::T STAR LIMITED

T Star Limited is well known for authentic Natural Colored Diamonds. We also provides rear & highly preferred Fancy yellow Diamond. For pure & authentic diamonds, Shop Now!

tstarlimited.com

Thanks, this one is great! I reached out to them.

 

[lovedogs]

I think option 1, you won't see any sparkle from the diamond below at all (is that what you are hoping for though?)
I vote option 2 for sure, super cool shape, the inclusions are super cool too, and it's very clear.
Option 3 I think will dull whatever is below it as well. I definitely vote option 2!

I definitely want to see the color of the diamond below (sparkle would be a benefit, but not a strict necessity). That's too bad, but I think you're probably right. I just love the zoning shape of 1 and it's so unique.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Hmmm in the hand shot of option 2 the inclusions are not very apparent and maybe just look like scratches or cracks. Probably not the look you are after!

The one lala posted is really appealing to me though!

 

[lovedogs]

Hmmm in the hand shot of option 2 the inclusions are not very apparent and maybe just look like scratches or cracks. Probably not the look you are after!

The one lala posted is really appealing to me though!

Hmmm in the hand shot of option 2 the inclusions are not very apparent and maybe just look like scratches or cracks. Probably not the look you are after!

The one lala posted is really appealing to me though!

Haha I kind of like that scratched up look. But recognize that it's a weird thing to like. I just feel like it kind of fits the aesfhetic.

 

[lovedogs]

Another possible option

 

[RMOO]

That’s a pretty color. It would go nicely with a yellow/green diamond under, complementing the color rather than fighting it. I like the shield shape as well.

 

[Slickk]

Another possible option

I like this one the best thus far.

 

[oncrutchesrightnow]

Not a fan of #1. IMHO once set, it might be near-opaque.

I saw you are open to sapphire and IIRC also posted about trying to find a portrait cut in LGD. What about choosing the designer and letting them source the portrait cut?

Another option, if you are open to synthetics, is moissanite.

Fun project!

 

[YadaYadaYada]

2 reminds me of the foliate aesthetic of dendritic agate. It would add some visual interest but if you want the diamond to be the only focal point and not a supporting role, then one of the clearer diamonds would probably be best.

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

Another possible option

i like this too