Well Cut Round Reflects Dirt onto Girdle?

[billian]

Is a well cut diamond supposed to reflect dirt underneath the pavilion onto the upper girdles? My diamond has four prongs, with a band that wraps around the prongs that encloses the pavilion. I've noticed that if I get dirt underneath this band (which happens quite easily), it reflects like crazy across all the upper girdles when viewed in direct sunlight or spotlight.

I've seen people say there are issues with 41.0 pavilion angles. Would this cause it, or would even super ideal cuts with 40.8/34.5 PA/CA reflect dirt like this?

Diamond measurements:
Pavilion: 41.0 degrees, 43.5 depth
Crown: 34.5 degrees, 14.5 depth
Depth: 61.3
Table: 57%

Another question, should the band be flush with the diamond? It's really difficult to clean underneath the band, and I'm wondering if dirt would not build up if it were flush.

 

[Texas Leaguer]

All diamonds are subject to diminished performance due to buildup of film on the pavilion. The better the diamond is cut, the better it will be able to handle being dirty and still have some pop. But it is really important to keep diamonds clean.

It's easy to keep the table and crown clean, but if you are not able to access the pavilion for DIY cleaning because of the setting style, you will need to take it in to your jeweler from time to time for a professional cleaning with ultrasonic and steam.

 

[billian]

Thank you for the advice! Must say, kind of makes me regret getting this setting. I never considered ring maintenance when I bought it!

 

[headlight]

I have definitely had more trouble keeping my new mounting clean as I was used to basket settings which apparently provided for more "access". I had to purchase my own ultrasonic and steamer and do it every night. If not, the gunk just builds up. I'm a bit obsessive about it looking its absolute best as i know it can look. Diamonds sure are grease magnets. I didn't know until recently that this build up on the diamond affects the critical angle creating light leakage. I, too, wish I knew that certain mountings were easier to keep the pavilion cleaner than others. I could've had my stone set higher, but it feels the perfect height as is so "pick your poison" as the saying goes. I certainly don't want to be smacking the ring into things just because it is set too high. I went with a 4-prong I would have more access to get in there and less area for grime to "lurk" but since I wasn't having side stones, I loved the look of the round in a 6-prong to really get that "round" emphasis. Get a home model ultrasonic with steamer!

 

[billian]

I know the feeling. I too am obsessive! My jeweler recommended me not to use an ultrasonic actually, for fear of shaking the stones out of the pave setting, although he sticks it in an ultrasonic anyways when I get it cleaned there . But I guess they are professionals. The stone also has a feather inclusion on the girdle, though it's rated VS1 which most sources seem to indicate is fine. Maybe best to consult my jeweler for that.

By the way, your stone is beautiful!

 

[Dancing Fire]

wish I knew that certain mountings were easier to keep the pavilion cleaner than others.

. I don't have that problem...

 

[headlight]

. I don't have that problem...

An absolute work of art!!!

 

[Karl_K]

It is normal and happens with any pavilion angle.

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

3 things - the stone may have 'dug facets' on the upper girdle or pavilion half facets. This increases the angles at the edges of the stone and greatly increases leakage = you see the dirt.
An Ideal-scope or ASET image helps us tell you.
Secondly, this proportion is near the edge of my preference (higher HCA score) and as such shows the dirt more than say a diamond with a shallow proportion set (which can look too dark when you look at it from close up).
And finally, the opposite of digging is painting - and that reduces peripheral leakage and makes a stone look a little larger (but at the expense of some bang bang contrast).