A pale pink diamond--best in white or rose gold?

[Indylady]

Hi all! I'm interested in a small pale pink diamond--think light pink on the FCD scale, somewhat like a morganite. Do you think it would be best in white gold, or rose gold? I think rose gold would overpower such a color--but, white gold might wash it out too. I've seen a couple cool-toned light pink diamonds in white gold, and I actually thought it looked better than a rose gold setting, which can sometimes be distracting. What do you think? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

 

[kroshka]

I think if it is a light pink (in GIA terms "light, very light, or fancy light pink"), then rose gold would help to make the pink more prominent. If you put it in white metal it would might make it look more washed out and not that pink. Depending in certain lights it might look like a white diamond with a hint of a pink tint. What is the shape of the pink you are considering?

Kroshka

 

[kroshka]

Old and horrible photo, but might give you an idea. The ring on the bottom is in platinum, the pinks in that ring are a nice fancy pink. The ring on top and in the middle have the stones set in rose gold.

Kroshka

 

[pinkjewel]

You will need to set the actual diamond in rose gold-think prongs or bezel and, the basket and rose gold cup (very important for amping your color!!!!!!). If you set it in a white metal the pink color will disappear. However, light pinks are best if you then put white diamonds in a white metal next to your light pink diamond for contrast. This will maximize the color contrast and make your diamond look as pink as possible.
I am also in the process of working on a setting for a "light pink" diamond (well, actually I've been working on the setting for a year-lol) and have researched this issue ALOT!!!!!!!

here are a couple of examples. this Diamonds by Lauren heart was a light pink-note the rose gold prongs and cup

 

[pinkjewel]

My sister has a "very light pink" set like the following diamond and it looks as saturated as a "fancy light pink"

 

[Indylady]

Hi Kroshka and PinkJewel!

Thank you both so much for your comments. The diamond I'm considering is a cushion. It has an obvious pink color, in my opinion, but sometimes I've thought that pale pinks can get a little lost when set with a lot of rose gold. However, in your pictures, I'm noticing that many of these have rose gold prongs and a rose gold cup, but that the surrounding metal is white--perhaps that is the key. I really appreciate the pictures! There is such a range of pink FCD's, and a lack of images online, that it is hard to visualize how one might look when set.

 

[pinkjewel]

Hi Kroshka and PinkJewel!

Thank you both so much for your comments. The diamond I'm considering is a cushion. It has an obvious pink color, in my opinion, but sometimes I've thought that pale pinks can get a little lost when set with a lot of rose gold. However, in your pictures, I'm noticing that many of these have rose gold prongs and a rose gold cup, but that the surrounding metal is white--perhaps that is the key. I really appreciate the pictures! There is such a range of pink FCD's, and a lack of images online, that it is hard to visualize how one might look when set.

I totoally agree with you that when they are set in all rose gold it doesn't look as good. I feel the key is the white diamond contrast. Here is another setting I like for light pinks. also by Diamonds by Lauren. How large is the cushion you're considering and do you have any photos?

 

[Indylady]

Pink Jewel, I love that setting! Its so gorgeous. The diamond I'm considering is pretty small--around 4mm. So, a double halo seems like a great idea. But, I also wonder if its just too small to really even be noticeably pink. If I go for a vivid in my budget, it would be even tinier, around the 2x3mm range. Its so hard to match up everything I'd love in a FCD.

 

[T L]

I like pale pink surrounded by very pale green or yellow.

 

[pinkjewel]

I like pale pink surrounded by very pale green or yellow.

yeah, me too- still looking for that elusive pale blueish green melee. No leads have panned out. I'm thinking of other setting ideas for my pale pink heart,now. But still involving pale blueish green...

 

[pinkjewel]

Pink Jewel, I love that setting! Its so gorgeous. The diamond I'm considering is pretty small--around 4mm. So, a double halo seems like a great idea. But, I also wonder if its just too small to really even be noticeably pink. If I go for a vivid in my budget, it would be even tinier, around the 2x3mm range. Its so hard to match up everything I'd love in a FCD.

4mm is large enough to show up as pink, and yes, it is hard to balance size, price, and color intensity. There is also a lot of variations even within a color grade. I have seen some light pinks look as pink as many "Fancy light pinks". I'm also seeing the prices rising a lot recently!! Just make sure the diamond you're considering has a GIA report.

 

[chrono]

I have a pair of 4 mm blush pinks and are a decent size once set. I term them blush because they are very pale and unless there is contrast, it is difficult to make them out as pink. They look best set in rose gold with white or some other colour contrast next to them, as suggested by PinkJewel, Kroshka and TL above.

 

[Indylady]

I like pale pink surrounded by very pale green or yellow.

I think the contrast could certainly bring out both colors! I like the same. Has anyone ever used green gold for the rest of the ring to contrast with a pink diamond?

 

[Indylady]

Pink Jewel, I love that setting! Its so gorgeous. The diamond I'm considering is pretty small--around 4mm. So, a double halo seems like a great idea. But, I also wonder if its just too small to really even be noticeably pink. If I go for a vivid in my budget, it would be even tinier, around the 2x3mm range. Its so hard to match up everything I'd love in a FCD.

4mm is large enough to show up as pink, and yes, it is hard to balance size, price, and color intensity. There is also a lot of variations even within a color grade. I have seen some light pinks look as pink as many "Fancy light pinks". I'm also seeing the prices rising a lot recently!! Just make sure the diamond you're considering has a GIA report.

Thanks for the comment on the size of the diamond--I don't have any centerstones that are 4mm, so I've been hesitant to buy it. If I go any larger though, I'll have to sacrifice color even more. I do generally enjoy smaller stones. I have few CS rings in the 4-6mm range, with the smallest being 4.7mm, and I'm perfectly happy with those pieces. But, they're much more saturated in color, so they 'stand out' and look nice on the hand even though they're small. With a lighter tone, and smaller diamond, I've been a little timid to make the purchase.

 

[Indylady]

I have a pair of 4 mm blush pinks and are a decent size once set. I term them blush because they are very pale and unless there is contrast, it is difficult to make them out as pink. They look best set in rose gold with white or some other colour contrast next to them, as suggested by PinkJewel, Kroshka and TL above.

Chrono, thank you too for the comment on size. Its very, very helpful. Blush is a good term. Would you do a double halo?

 

[pinkjewel]

I have a pair of 4 mm blush pinks and are a decent size once set. I term them blush because they are very pale and unless there is contrast, it is difficult to make them out as pink. They look best set in rose gold with white or some other colour contrast next to them, as suggested by PinkJewel, Kroshka and TL above.

Chrono, thank you too for the comment on size. Its very, very helpful. Blush is a good term. Would you do a double halo?

the double halo light pink pear ring picture I showed earlier was only a .37 ct if I remember correctly. I know there's another picture of a double halo on a pink cushion diamond around 4mm, although I think it's a fancy pink. Let me see if I can locate the pic.

 

[pinkjewel]

ok- here it is. this pink cushion measured less than 4mm- around 3.9 x 3.56

 

[pregcurious]

Someone recently posted their light pink sapphire set first with a rose gold cut, and later without the cup but with the inside of the basket plated in rose gold. The later looked very nice.

 

[chrono]

Chrono, thank you too for the comment on size. Its very, very helpful. Blush is a good term. Would you do a double halo?

I did consider this but it would have to be a very well made custom double halo so that the melees do not overpower the colour and size of the blush FCD.

 

[swissmiss]

Someone recently posted their light pink sapphire set first with a rose gold cut, and later without the cup but with the inside of the basket plated in rose gold. The later looked very nice.

That was me. The rose gold cup, in my case, cast an coppery glow onto the stone. However, it seems that it was a function of the rose gold alloy and/or refractive index of the sapphire.

I very much like pink diamonds in rose gold cups. I think the key is getting the right alloy (i.e., going with someone who does those on a regular basis) and having super white diamond melee next to it. Best of luck with your project... it's exciting!

 

[Indylady]

Preg and Swiss, thank you both for the link and to note any possible negatives of the rose gold cup. You're absolutely right about the alloy. I'm thinking 18k is necessary, but I just don't know of a good resource for gold alloys to reference. Does anyone have suggestions? Chrono?

And Chrono, you're totally right about finding the right setting that won't overpower a smaller centerstone.