Why does this diamond look better in the shade?

[cushioncut]

Hello,

So we brought in the cushion I had posted pictures of last week, and it is quite stunning in person -- more so in shaded/darker lights, than in bright/natural light. When it's shaded, you can see all of the facets and the light bounces around on them in this really pretty way. When it's in bright light, it just looks like a big BRIGHT and white diamond, and you can't really see the facets. In bright light, it's almost like you can see through it, if that makes sense.

What does this mean? This is the first diamond I've had home, and had a chance to look at in different lights. Is this how all diamonds are in the sun/bright light? And what lights do they use in jewelry stores, just curious.

Will it look more "shaded" when it's set? It'd have four prongs and cathedral sides...

Also, thanks to those people last week who said the culet would not be noticable in person. It's not an issue at all for me, you can't see it unless you really struggle to. I am glad I didn't dismiss the stone for that, but we are still trying to decide if it's a keeper or not. It's for sure the prettiest stone I've seen in person. My only issues are this light issue, and the fact that the crown is shorter and less pillow shaped than I was hoping for -- but the 60 depth and the 59 table make the stone look HUGE in person, so I may be able to live with the shorter crown...

Please let me know if you have any thoughts on this lighting issue. If other stones might perform better in bright light, I'd like to know.

Thanks!

 

[valeria101]

This is a taugh one

I have some trouble guessing what you have infront of you, but... it appears that you have a brilliant stone with not much fire. In lower light, dispersion and contrast is more visible - whch is normal and applies to any diamond. If you preffer that look, than a diamond with so-so ligth return but lots of fire would look more like that in all lights.

I am not sure I understand how the diamonds look 'transparent' in strong light. From a steep tilt all will loose brilliance since the cut produces brilliance when diamonds are seen from the top down - as they show up mounted - not the sides. Also, a loose stone would look more bright and 'glssy' than set ones - not sure how to spell this out.

For what I know, it seems to be hard to find the right cut parameters that balance well fire and brilliance. At least the Regent cut and the related branded cushion seem to do just that. Have you considered them?

 

[reena]

CC: can you post a picture?

 

[cushioncut]

Thanks Valeria, you've been such a help.

I'm not sure how to explain what I mean by see through, except to say it looks like a bright white light and I can't really distinguish the facets in certain lights. It's almost like a mirror or something -- very bright, but not sparkeling. This is only in certain lights, at certain angles. Maybe all diamonds do this? I was outside with it in the sun today, and it actually looked great out there -- but with the bright lights in the house, it gets a little washed out at certain angles.

It has a bit of a black cross in the center. Someone we dealt with had told us this is desirable in a cushion, I think he called it a Moroccan cross, but I've never heard any other reference to it.

I see it a lot in cushions online ... here is a link to what I am talking about, although the one in "my" stone is not this dark.


cross

When it's in bright light, the rest of the diamond fades out a bit, and what you see it this cross... similar to the way the diamond is fading around the cross in this stone.

Reena -- I will try to post pictures, but so far no luck taking any that work. I'll try some more now, and see what I can turn up.

Thanks again!

 

[moremoremore]

When you bring it under the bathroom vanity lights- is that when it looks most like a bright white mirror? I stone never looks the same when you get it home- those darn jeweler's lights...I think a stone looks too dark in the store....

I don't 'get' how the cross is a good thing. Isn't that like the dreaded 'iron cross' in the princess? (I'm not sure)...

 

[cushioncut]

The bathroom lights, which are super bright, and outdoors it looks very nice. It's best in dim lights. It's worst indoors, during the day -- bright indirect light. Very odd!

The cross in this one is not half as dark as in the example I posted, but it's there. I don't know how it could be a good thing either. A very reputable online vendor told my bf this is something we should look for in a cushion. Bf did not ask why

.

I took some pictures, I think some are okay. Will post in a minute...

 

[cushioncut]

Well, here are some pictures! They are not great, but I think you can get an idea of what I'm looking at.

The first ones are taken in dimmer lighting, and then the others are in bright light, and show you what I'm talking about. I love the way it looks in the first shots... and they don't do it justice, it's prettier in person. But, as you can see, in brighter lights, it gets washed out a bit. Is this to be expected?

Please share your thoughts. I appreciate any advice.

 

[cushioncut]

another shaded pic...

 

[cushioncut]

normal lighting pic... (okay here, but not as great as shaded...)

 

[cushioncut]

last shaded one -- blurry but it gives you an idea of the look.

 

[reena]

i don't know, cc, it looks pretty gorgeous to me!

 

[cushioncut]

Here is one in bright light. Doesn't it look a lot different?

 

[cushioncut]

another one in bright lighting...

 

[cushioncut]

and the last, also in bright lighting. You can see the cross here, and I think you can also see how it is a bit see through on the sides of the cross. Is this to be expected in certain lights? Please let me know what you think!

Thanks!

 

[reena]

cc, check out this recent thread regarding diamond performance in bright light.

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/direct-sun-light.18903/

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

Sunlight is a no - no.
The dim lighting test is the best to discren between good and poorly cut stones - so sounds like you have a nice stone.

The 8 rayed star you hear people talk about in a well cut round = the 4 ray star in a cushion.
It is good and important - without it you ahve an overly deep or too shallow stone.

 

[valeria101]

You just made the complete description of one of the most brilliant old mine cuts I know of

It is always good to have allot of choice, but for what I know, it is very unlikely that you will find a stone looking better (more brilliamt and/or fiery) in so many different lights. All light colored gems change "personality" allot with lighting and diamonds very much so. I would say that your description fits what all well cut diamonds look like.

There are different "looks" among diamonds, of course. Since you obviously appreciate fine details of cut, I wander if you would like a mixed cut with high crown better - like the Lucida or Lucere. The Regent seems to deliver allot of dispersion (at least THIS one does).

This, mostly for the sake of choice. The diamond you have does not leave anything to be desired from it's breed (=cut model).

Just my 0.2, of course...

 

[glitterata]

That sounds and looks like a fantastic stone to me. Even the best stones won't look so great in all light. Direct sunlight (or any light with a single, extremely bright source) will make the stone go dark with ouchy flashes of color. Mine look best in dimmer light coming from lots and lots of different sources--christmas tree lights, standing under a leafy tree, etc.

 

[sparker]

I have to agree with gliterata. My stone looks very nice in direct sunlight, but its a little chaotic at the same time. In a grocery store where they have fluorescenct lights, my diamond goes white with tiny, tiny rainbow flashes. Its weird. I went to a horse barn yesterday where they had very dim lights and my diamond was beautiful. Diamonds do change in every light situation. Yours looks lovely!!

Suz

 

[strmrdr]

If you want an idea of how it will look set hold it in diamond tweezers and look at it from the top.

At the angle its setting in the pictures too much light is entering the pavilion from the side.
It wont look like that mounted.

Plus you are getting a lot of wierd reflections off the blue material in those pictures.

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

The best "looking" technique is to sit the diamond in the crack between your ring and middle fingers on the back of your hand (not palm side) just like you did in one of those pictures

.

This stops light entering the pavilion, and it lets you judge the gem size, move it around with ease in the same way it will on your hand etc.

 

[cushioncut]

Thank you everyone! It's good to know that you think it looks okay, and what I'm seeing is normal. I appreciate your help. I am leaning towards keeping it, but I am still not 100% sure...

I'll keep you posted...