Visual performance better after mounting?

[Bronson]

Hi All, new to posting here but have read a lot of posts and information on this forum and website over the past 2-3 months while searching for a diamond to buy. Thanks to this website for so much useful information! The whole process has really intrigued me and although I have purchased my diamond, I still find myself looking over diamond inventory on different websites and seeing what is around. I also am still reading as much as possible about different characteristics and what different proportions mean and how they perform. Super interesting stuff.

Anyway, I finally found and purchased a GIA 3X 1.70 carat VS1 F from an online vendor. It is laser inscribed. I had it verified by two independent appraisers and both came up with the same grading as the GIA paperwork, although the appraisal values varied by a bit (which is understandable).

So here is my question: Will a diamond generally perform differently or ‘better’ once its mounted?

I ask because I took the diamond in and had it mounted in the setting that I had chosen at a B&M store and when I got it back, it seems to have a lot more ‘personality’ than it did before it was mounted. I am seeing a lot of larger, more colorful flashes now that its mounted than when it was loose. So much so that it was the first thing I noticed. There is so much more color now. I am not saying it wasn’t nice when it was loose, just seems quite a bit different and more impressive to my eye. It made me nervous that it was replaced, fake, or swapped but I recognize the characteristics of it under magnification and believe that it is the diamond I had purchased (as long as its not fake). Has anyone else experienced this or have any input? Is that normal or to be expected?

Thanks to everyone for such a great and informational website.
I will put up pictures of the ring once I have proposed.

 

[bunnycat]

Hi All, new to posting here but have read a lot of posts and information on this forum and website over the past 2-3 months while searching for a diamond to buy. Thanks to this website for so much useful information! The whole process has really intrigued me and although I have purchased my diamond, I still find myself looking over diamond inventory on different websites and seeing what is around. I also am still reading as much as possible about different characteristics and what different proportions mean and how they perform. Super interesting stuff.

Anyway, I finally found and purchased a GIA 3X 1.70 carat VS1 F from an online vendor. It is laser inscribed. I had it verified by two independent appraisers and both came up with the same grading as the GIA paperwork, although the appraisal values varied by a bit (which is understandable).

So here is my question: Will a diamond generally perform differently or ‘better’ once its mounted?

I ask because I took the diamond in and had it mounted in the setting that I had chosen at a B&M store and when I got it back, it seems to have a lot more ‘personality’ than it did before it was mounted. I am seeing a lot of larger, more colorful flashes now that its mounted than when it was loose. So much so that it was the first thing I noticed. There is so much more color now. I am not saying it wasn’t nice when it was loose, just seems quite a bit different and more impressive to my eye. It made me nervous that it was replaced, fake, or swapped but I recognize the characteristics of it under magnification and believe that it is the diamond I had purchased (as long as its not fake). Has anyone else experienced this or have any input? Is that normal or to be expected?

Thanks to everyone for such a great and informational website.
I will put up pictures of the ring once I have proposed.

Yes- I think diamonds do change once set, and the kind of setting can affect the things you see about a diamond like having a bezel set stone or prong set stone, open gallery or closed or a halo around the stone.

 

[GemFever]

I also think diamonds look better in settings, that has been my experience. Congrats on finding your stone!

 

[kenny]

For one thing they are safer, so we're more likely to bring them to places with awesome bling lighting.

I'd never pull out a loose diamond and hold it in a tweezers in Home Depot or Costco.

 

[HopeDream]

Holding a diamond in your fingers/on your hand will block the light and oils from contact with your skin will change the refractive index of your stone, killing fire.

If your diamond is set it stays cleaner longer and will catch the light better.

 

[TC1987]

I'd only be concerned if it looked worse mounted. LOL It sounds like you picked a lovely diamond and a setting that accentuates its beauty. Congratulations!

 

[motownmama]

The jeweler no doubt cleaned the ring in an expensive ultrasonic machine - big visual different vs. a dirty diamond.