what does a 40x whiteflash photo tell you?

[cherub]

whiteflash post actual photos of their ACA line. I wonder what are these photos useful for? In particular, can they be used to judge the subtle color differences between diamonds of the same grade? I mean, an F could be "almost an E" or "almost a G", right? So within the same color grade the actual color variation can be nearly two grades. If lighting is controlled, same camera used with same preset white balance, I suppose a photo can serve this purpose well.

Here is an F
http://www.whiteflash.com/diamonds/zoom.aspx?ItemCode=2192339

Here is another F:
http://www.whiteflash.com/diamonds/zoom.aspx?ItemCode=2199897

To me, their colors look quite different. Does anyone else see it? Which one looks whiter to you?

Also, the first diamond shows a dark spot under the table at 11:00. Should I be concerned about it being not eye-clean?

Finally, the photo of the first diamond looks more brilliant, but I guess that is affected a lot by the viewing angle, isn''t it?

 

[stone-cold11]

No, it is the least useful of the images, mostly use as a showcase pic and alternate image to see the stone''s performance, especially for fancy cut.

At VS2 level, probably you will not see anything, do not judge if a stone is eye-clean from a image, no way to tell. Color, also no way as the stone will pick up color from the surrounding like what the photographer is wearing that day.

 

[cherub]

Thanks. The funny thing is between F and G grades, the photos seem to be very consistent. I can almost always tell from the photos that the F grade stone is whiter (without looking at which one is which).

The two images linked for easier viewing:
diamond one
diamond two

Date: 10/9/2009 5:36:40 PM
Author: Stone-cold11
No, it is the least useful of the images, mostly use as a showcase pic and alternate image to see the stone''s performance, especially for fancy cut.


At VS2 level, probably you will not see anything, do not judge if a stone is eye-clean from a image, no way to tell. Color, also no way as the stone will pick up color from the surrounding like what the photographer is wearing that day.

 

[Allison D.]

Cherub, photos really aren''t terribly useful for making color judgments. The camera tends to ''see'' more than the eye does in person and can amplify differences.

Also, since the photos are displayed on monitors which are subject to variations in color tone and calibration, it''s not an ideal way to make judgments about color.

Photos are useful for appreciating cut and, to some degree, clarity (provided the viewer keeps in mind the relative scale of the object on the monitor and how it compares to real life), but they aren''t a good indicator at all of color.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 10/9/2009 5:30:06 PM
Author:cherub
whiteflash post actual photos of their ACA line. I wonder what are these photos useful for? In particular, can they be used to judge the subtle color differences between diamonds of the same grade? I mean, an F could be 'almost an E' or 'almost a G', right? So within the same color grade the actual color variation can be nearly two grades. If lighting is controlled, same camera used with same preset white balance, I suppose a photo can serve this purpose well.

Here is an F
http://www.whiteflash.com/diamonds/zoom.aspx?ItemCode=2192339

Here is another F:
http://www.whiteflash.com/diamonds/zoom.aspx?ItemCode=2199897

To me, their colors look quite different. Does anyone else see it? Which one looks whiter to you?

Also, the first diamond shows a dark spot under the table at 11:00. Should I be concerned about it being not eye-clean?

Finally, the photo of the first diamond looks more brilliant, but I guess that is affected a lot by the viewing angle, isn't it?

Cherub

As Allison says, these images aren't meant to be any guide towards colour or optical performance, if you are unsure then if there is a Jareds near you, go and compare some similar size and colour diamonds in person from their Peerless range, or Hearts on Fire if there is a dealer near you. This would be by far the best way to learn your colour preferences if you are unsure.

As to whether the diamond is eyeclean, the only way to know is to ask Whiteflash.