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Worried how a stone with 40.4 pavilion angle will look in this setting.

J

jtaylor1781

Rough_Rock
Joined
Apr 30, 2017
Messages
10
So I am new to purchasing diamonds and I just recently discovered this site when I was re have reviewed various diamond sites on how to pick diamonds. I have studied the 4 C's. I know that cut is king. I have studied tables and depths. But I guess in all my research I missed out on how much pavilion angle means to the diamond and focused too much on tables and depth. I focused on cut until I decided to take a step down because I thought tables and depth were the most important part of a diamond's cut. It was not until after the purchase that I am now having seconds thoughts since reading this forums about how 40.4 pavilion angles will cause obstructions. I have checked against HCA and it was one of the helping deciding factors when picking the stone. Am I overthinking this purchase of this diamond in this setting? Should I look for a better stone or is it not that noticeable as I think it is in my head?



HCA
Factor Grade
Light Return Very Good
Fire Excellent
Scintillation Excellent
Spread or diameter for weight Very Good
Total Visual Performance 0.9 - Excellent
within TIC range

Diamond
https://www.bluenile.com/build-your-own-ring/diamond-details/LD08390965

Setting
https://www.bluenile.com/build-your-own-ring/monique-lhuillier-baguette-hexagon-ring-platinum_35404
 
Can you just give us the GIA or AGS report number. BN links dont work.
 
Thanks gm89uk. You beat me to it. I know you can see a video images of the diamond on Blue nile as well.

If you search by the stock number: LD08390965
 
Do you like the stone? If so, then that answers your question. However, I will point out that the cut grade from GIA was very good - not excellent - as was the light return on the HCA. Ideally, both of those would be excellent. I just can't tell from your post whether you don't like the diamond or are having second thoughts upon reading here. There are better cut stones out there to be sure but if you like what you have, then don't worry about it.
 
Thank you for your followup questions MissGotRocks. I do like the stone. I think my question falls more into will the diamond stand out from the other diamonds in the setting that I have picked out? I delay ordered the diamond and setting so there is time to switch the diamond if there is something better out there in the 5k range. But if I am overthinking this and it will be a fine diamond for that particular setting I am happy with it. Thank you all so far for your input it is much appreciated.
 
Just doing a quick search, this stone has better proportions https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD08416360. (Click on the link while holding down the shift key to see the stone.) However, it is 1k more than the one you selected. If you go with the current diamond and have it set, would you be able to exchange the stone after you receive the ring? The stone you have chosen might be just fine for you and if so, I'd hate to encourage you to exceed your budget. As long as you can return and/or exchange it if you don't love it, you'll be fine. If you want to take a look at their inventory again, try to stick to these stats:
Depth no more than 62.3
Table 54-58
Crown angle 34-35
Pavilion angle 40.6 - 40.9
Those numbers will help you find a stone that fall within more ideal optics.
 
For people looking for a well cut diamond, you have to start at GIA Excellent cut only. That is a broad range as it is, and we only recommend some of the stones in the excellent cut category. So no, I would not recommend the stone you bought, and yes, I would return it and start over and only look at GIA Excellent cut stones. Then stick with the measurements below.

These are measurements to help you stay in ideal cut territory with a GIA Excellent cut stone.

table: 54-58

depth: 60-62.3

crown angle: 34-35.0 (up to 35.5 crown angle can sometimes work with a 40.6 pav angle)

pavilion angle: 40.6-40.9 (sometimes 41.0 if the crown angle is close to 34)
 
I guess the real question I am asking is it going to stand out as a center stone in the setting I chose? Or should I return it and start looking for a better stone?
 
Does your SO have her heart set on that $3290 Monique Lhuillier setting; I'm thinking that a less expensive setting would free up money you could apply to the center diamond.
 
MissGotRocks said:
Do you like the stone?
If so, then that answers your question. ...
Click to expand...

What if a person likes a stone but is poorly educated, has never seen better, sees it under deceptive jewelry store lighting that can make a lump of coal sparkle, buys it on your recommendation to not bother learning anything but just trust what they like ... then after the sale (s)he gets better educated or sees a truly well-cut diamond, and stops liking the one you recommended they buy because now they know better and realize they bought a dog?

IMO, "All that matters is you like it." is horrible advice that has no place on PS, but I'll bet the sales manager at WalMart, Zales, or Robbin's Brothers loves your advice.
 
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That was not the entirety of my two posts in this thread. Perhaps your time would be better spent helping this poster find an alternative stone to the one he has already purchased at Blue Nile before it is delivered.
 
To give a little background this is our 5 year anniversary. When we first got married we had very little money and no wedding. Her ring only consisted of a 30 dollar ring from Amazon that had a fake pave and fake diamond and fake pink saphires. Now 5 years later we both have careers and are better place than we were 5 years ago. I want to give her something that she should have received 5 years ago. I am pretty set on the setting as it fits her personality and something that she would pick out if she did pick it out herself. I still budgeted 5k for the diamond with that particular setting.

Again the question was will the diamond look good in that setting knowing that it is graded as very good by GIA and only off .2 in the pavilion or should I be in the hunt for a better diamond within my budget? And if I should be can I be provided examples within my budget? I understand it is only a very good cut diamond and there are better diamonds out there but I guess I have trouble understanding what a good diamond is if I think this Very Good cut with the numbers it has on it looks better than ones that are rated excellent by GIA on the 360 video. I appreciate all of your advice that Very Good is not Excellent but when I am looking at the diamond am I just looking for eyeclean? And when I look at the GIA report I am looking for those parameters specified above by DiamondSeeker?
 
Like for example dropping down to a .85 Carat. I know I can see the crystal on the table but since it is VS1 I assume it is eyeclean due to it being rated VS1. It scored well on HCA and it meets all the criteria that diamondseeker mentioned in comments above. So based on that information should I switch to this diamond?

https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD08401644

upload_2017-5-2_7-28-30.png
 
I put a hold on the .85 diamond with the screenshot above. Let me know if you think this is the better choice.
 
To answer your question - YES, we would all recommend you switch your diamond. The most important thing in a diamond is cut and the first diamond you chose is not up to those standards and will not perform as well. I'm sure you want to knock her socks off. I really like this one if you must buy from BN (H will be very white, especially at this size) https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD08592259

Secondly, and I don't want this to come across the wrong way, but what exactly about that ML setting 'fits her personality'? Is it the octagonal halo? The pink sapphire in the gallery? I don't find the setting that attractive and think it's risky to spend so much money on a setting without really knowing if she'd like it. BN settings are quite bulky and I think it's possible may also overwhelm and take away from the center stone....again, just my 2 cents...
 
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Thank you ac117. That does answer my question and I am on board with you all about switching diamond. I put the diamond above .85 on hold and would love your thoughts on it. I appreciate your directness and it does not come off wrong at all. It is straight and to the point and it is what I am looking for. I appreciate your opinion that is why I came to this board for opinions from people who love this stuff and more expertly discerning that I am. To answer your question about the setting it is all the things you listed. It is something that I have talked to her closest friends and family about and they agree that this would be a setting she would pick out for herself. I appreciate your 2 cents and welcome it. Your criticism's of the ring make sense as I had similar thoughts about the center stone standing out and why I came here to make sure that the center stone would have the "Knock your socks off" look to get the best looking stone.
 
The .85 you put on hold is nice but 2 of the arrows seem to be washed out and given GIA rounds its numbers, the 35 CA could actually be a bit higher. It should still be a nice performer, though. All of the arrows on the .91 I linked are distinct and I also prefer 75 lower halves that produce fatter arrows.

A few more things to consider with that setting...it sits high off the finger and the prongs look like they protrude and could potentially get caught on things. Also, she will NOT be able to wear a flush fitting wedding band unless it's a curved kind that most people don't like - otherwise, she'll have a gap. I again urge you to look around for different settings! I'm not sure what your timeline is, but don't rush just because that's the first setting you saw and liked. IDJ here in NY and David K. in CA could both custom make a setting for you that flows better (probably for less money even) and could incorporate pink sapphires and any other elements she'd like. IDJ has very competitive pricing so it's possible that if you get the stone and setting from them, you could break the 1 ct mark (they also provide light return images that we strongly prefer). Or maybe give her the stone and let her design her dream setting herself. Sorry to throw more things at you, we just want her to REALLY love what she has since you've put so much thought into this!!
 
ac117 said:
The .85 you put on hold is nice but 2 of the arrows seem to be washed out and given GIA rounds its numbers, the 35 CA could actually be a bit higher. It should still be a nice performer, though. All of the arrows on the .91 I linked are distinct and I also prefer 75 lower halves that produce fatter arrows.

A few more things to consider with that setting...it sits high off the finger and the prongs look like they protrude and could potentially get caught on things. Also, she will NOT be able to wear a flush fitting wedding band unless it's a curved kind that most people don't like - otherwise, she'll have a gap. I again urge you to look around for different settings! I'm not sure what your timeline is, but don't rush just because that's the first setting you saw and liked. IDJ here in NY and David K. in CA could both custom make a setting for you that flows better (probably for less money even) and could incorporate pink sapphires and any other elements she'd like. IDJ has very competitive pricing so it's possible that if you get the stone and setting from them, you could break the 1 ct mark (they also provide light return images that we strongly prefer). Or maybe give her the stone and let her design her dream setting herself. Sorry to throw more things at you, we just want her to REALLY love what she has since you've put so much thought into this!!
Click to expand...
Cannot agree with ac117 more. You are putting a lot of thought into buying the most stunning diamond you can. Kudos to you. You don't want a setting to mar or distract from your center stone. The amount of metal in a setting can make a huge difference in what your eye sees and focuses on. You want the stone to be a stunner but that won't matter if your setting doesn't do it justice. $3k is NOT a cheap setting. I'm not speaking so much about the design. It's the actual execution.

Those prongs in the picture are huge. Hey are round and shiny and there are 6 of them. When your eye looks st the surface of the ring, therenis a high chance that ring will get distractedly by the shininess of the prong heads rather than focus on the stone. I know I did because I started with a BlueNile setting and that is what happened to me. The stone is set way too high. It would "feel" a lot less awkward if it was set lower. Can someone link the David Klass thread for him? I think caysie has some hexagons too right? These are not things you would usually know if you are new to this. It's the wearer that discovers that after wearing the ring for a while. But if you figure she won't notice or care, then nevermind.
 
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LLJsmom said:
Cannot agree with ac117 more. You are putting a lot of thought into buying the most stunning diamond you can. Kudos to you. You don't want a setting to mar or distract from your center stone. The amount of metal in a setting can make a huge difference in what your eye sees and focuses on. You want the stone to be a stunner but that won't matter if your setting doesn't do it justice. $3k is NOT a cheap setting. I'm not speaking so much about the design. It's the actual execution.

Those prongs in the picture are huge. Hey are round and shiny and there are 6 of them. When your eye looks st the surface of the ring, therenis a high chance that ring will get distractedly by the shininess of the prong heads rather than focus on the stone. I know I did because I started with a BlueNile setting and that is what happened to me. The stone is set way too high. It would "feel" a lot less awkward if it was set lower. The more metal that shows, the more "stuff" will compete for your eye's attention and take it away from the stone. Can someone link the David Klass thread for him? I think caysie has some hexagons too right? You can have these custom designer shoes make something inspired by your chosen design but with much nicer quality, finer prongs, less metal. These are not things you would usually know if you are new to this. It's the wearer that discovers that after wearing the ring for a while. But if you figure she won't notice or care, then nevermind.
Click to expand...
 
LLJsmom thank you for you points as well as you ac117. These are exactly things I would not think of a a first time buyer. I appreciate your help.
 
i have to agree with the above, i love the thought of the design but it is poorly executed. the setting is not made to fit the stone, the stone looks just plopped in the halo which i think is unappealing from the side. The gallery is ok, i like the surprise stone but it could be a whole lot daintier and intricate, ESPECIALLY at that price point. Compare to these, look at how the halo is built around the stone, emphasizing the stone, look at the detail:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/213961...halo-platinum-and-18k?ref=shop_home_active_32

https://www.etsy.com/listing/399188075/the-cvb-id-victorian-style-octagonal?ref=shop_home_active_25

https://www.brilliantearth.com/ring...A18R2BD25-PT&gclid=CO7N78Ky0dMCFVC4wAodvH4Cww
 
All of the above. The setting overwhelms the diamond. Not to be critical, but the diamond looks like an afterthought, not the centerpiece. The concept is lovely, but the execution is mediocre at best and pricey. Not a good combination.

This is a big purchase. Don't settle on a mounting that is just ok given all the thought you have put into this.
 
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