3-stone ring - color of side stones to coordinate with center...

[murray93]

What color side stones would you use to coordinate with an E center stone? The center stone is a 1.7 EC and the side stones are .3 - .4 ECs.

 

[DiamondExpert]

For EC''s I''d stick with E color.

 

[sevens one]

This is MoreMoreMore''s three stone cushion

center is 2.13 E , with .51 F and G sides.

 

[headlight]

I haven''t seen moremoremore''s ring in person, so I cannot comment on her use of lower colors for the side stones. But, since I have had two different three-stone rings, I feel that I can comment on use of color for side stones.
IMO, you really need to go with the same color as the center stone. The differences will be apparent in various lighting situations and at various angles if you use different colors. On my former three stone (all rounds) one stone was of lesser quality color grade and while it didn''t seem apparent at first, it was noticeable in the circumstances I stated above. Also, in photos it was also apparent.
In my current three-stone (center round with side trillions), they are all the same color and it really makes a difference! I have seen other three stone rings in jeweler''s cases that were clearly not of matching color and it just screams out at you. I think the overall "presentation" or even element of "quality" is compromised if the colors of the three stones do not match (again, I haven''t seen moremoremore''s so it may have worked in her favor).
By the same token, I will tell you that in the creation of my former three stone ring, when selecting the side stones, I was presented with a matched set of pear shaped diamonds -- of which were of whiter color than my center stone; that was the driving force in why I did not go with those pears because it would have just made my center stone stand out in an unflattering way.

 

[perry]

Very Good Question.

A couple of issues in order to answer correctly.

While matching the color is ideal, getting that match can be darn difficult. Todd at NiceIce has told me that their rule is to have the side stones within 1 color grade; and that they want to do the color grading and matching. The exception to this is unless the side stones are very small in comparison to the center diamond (accent stones - can be several color grades off), or you are using fancy collored stones for a color combination effect.

The real problem here is how accurate are the color grades and by whom.

A real case (my diamonds). GOG says "F" Color. AGA says "G" color.

Color grading differences of 1 grade between two graders is common, and a 2 grade difference is not uncommon between people arround the world (I do believe that there is a current effort to better standardize the master color stones arround the world).

The one color grade difference is probably appropriate as long as it is done by the same grader. Buying a center diamond that was graded a "G" by one grader, and sidestones graded a "H" by another might get you a "F" center stone and "J" sidestones when graded by a third grader who looks at all three stones. These differences would probably detract from the ring.

As such, I would have the same jeweler pick out the sidestones - or work with a specific independent appraiser to look at all the stones.


Hope this helps.

Perry

 

[headlight]

Date: 4/3/2005 10:42:38 AM
Author: perry
Very Good Question.

A couple of issues in order to answer correctly.

While matching the color is ideal, getting that match can be darn difficult. Todd at NiceIce has told me that their rule is to have the side stones within 1 color grade; and that they want to do the color grading and matching. The exception to this is unless the side stones are very small in comparison to the center diamond (accent stones - can be several color grades off), or you are using fancy collored stones for a color combination effect.

The real problem here is how accurate are the color grades and by whom.

A real case (my diamonds). GOG says ''F'' Color. AGA says ''G'' color.

Color grading differences of 1 grade between two graders is common, and a 2 grade difference is not uncommon between people arround the world (I do believe that there is a current effort to better standardize the master color stones arround the world).

The one color grade difference is probably appropriate as long as it is done by the same grader. Buying a center diamond that was graded a ''G'' by one grader, and sidestones graded a ''H'' by another might get you a ''F'' center stone and ''J'' sidestones when graded by a third grader who looks at all three stones. These differences would probably detract from the ring.

As such, I would have the same jeweler pick out the sidestones - or work with a specific independent appraiser to look at all the stones.


Hope this helps.

Perry

Perry,
I couldn''t agree with you more; you explained the specifics I did not get into. But, since you mentioned it (!), my side stones were selected exactly as you recommeneded:
1. Matched to the center stone, rather than to some lab/appraiser''s assigned grade;
2. Matched by the same jeweler from whom the center stone was purchased the year prior;
3. The side trillions were actually cut specifically for my ring (the jeweler is also a cutter), to be the right color match and the right size match.
Great points you brought up -- thanks for being so thorough!