Advice... 1mm halo stones too small?

[Dougsgirl]

Hi again...

I recently posted my newest CAD images for my custom ring...
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/final-cads-for-my-avc-on-to-wax.177193/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/final-cads-for-my-avc-on-to-wax.177193/[/URL]

From the pictures I think it looks great. But I have no "real-life" frame of reference.
My designer sent me the final "diamond count" today and it is as follows..

(46)1mm diamonds
(10) 1.5mm diamonds
(2)0.8mm diamonds (flowers)
(16-20) 0.9-1.1mm diamonds (posts)
Approximate total carat weight of side diamonds: 0.46-0.51ctw.

Based on that, it appears that my halo will have 1mm diamonds.
My center stone is a 1.87ct AVC (7.11mm x7.57mm)
I wanted a "subtle" halo, and it is also slightly tilted to show of the center stone. But I don't want it TOO small.

Do any of you have any pictures of, or experience with 1mm halos?
Do you think that will be a good size for my center stone?
My ring size is about 4.5.

Thanks so much!!

 

[Gypsy]

No. I think the proportions are just right on your CAD and the 1mm stones will provide a perfect frame, but allow your center to shine as the star. I have 1/2 pointers (1mm) in my halo and for your 7 by 7.5 stone I think it's a good call as well.

 

[Dougsgirl]

Thanks, Gypsy!
I was thinking it looked pretty good but It's nice to get feedback from someone who has first hand experience.
I appreciate it!

 

[Gypsy]

Here are some pics for reference. My diamond is about 6x6.








First halo, single cut one pointers:


Final halo, full cut 1/2 pointers:


I MUCH prefer my 1/2 point halo. It really allows my center to be the star but still provides a lot of definition and style.

 

[Dougsgirl]

Wow... those look great! I love the size of your halo. And your ring is stunning!
One question... I hear a lot of people talk about "single cut", "full cut", etc... What does that mean??
Thanks!

 

[Gypsy]

Number of facets. A single cut, is also called an eight cut. It's a cut for melee stones only (small stones under 5 points or smaller) that has less facets (8 crown, 8 pavilion) facets. Full cut diamonds are just smaller round brilliants with the standard number of facets.

Good single cuts are typically more expensive than full cuts ONLY because they are rarer, harder to get. Full cuts are more commonly found. However single cuts are actually cheaper to cut, so if they were easier to find they would be less expensive. One of those quirks where demand (not very much) drives prices higher. Single cuts are commonly used in watches, and watchmakers get first dibs on them as they are willing to pay top dollar for them. This is why they are so hard to find.




As for why someone would prefer a single cut halo versus a full cut halo. Single cuts have fewer, broader facets. So it's like comparing your AVC to a modern cushion. Slower and larger flashes of light. This can be a nice effect in stones of that size in a halo because it gives you the look of larger facets while still keeping the stones small.

Personally, I discovered three draw backs (in my opinion only) to single cuts.

One: gotta be really clean to really perform because they have less facets so they get gunked up quickly. Now I have an asscher which is the mother of all cuts that performs badly when not clean so this wasn't a big deal for me, but it might be for someone else.

Two: Because of the broader facets there isn't as much differentiation/contrast between the melee stones and the center as there is with full cut melee in the halo. Since I prefer my halo to look like a frame rather than a cluster ring full cuts are better for me, but for someone who wants more blend with their halo single cuts would be a good choice.

Three, and this is the one that REALLY bothered me, is since they were so hard source in the first place (and that was in a large lot) they are almost impossible to find and match well for repair replacement. So if you have a stone fall out and you lose it you repair will cost more, be harder to get done (most jewelers won't be able to get a couple of single cuts in at the right size, so you need a good jeweler), AND may not match up well. There is an easy work around: when you get your single cut ring made you ask your jeweler for 10 or so stones and keep them safe, if you ever need a repair all you have to do is provide your own stone and you'll know it matches.

ETA: I meant to thank you for your sweet comments about my ring. I love it and am very happy with it. And that's all I can ask. Yours is going to be stunning, and I hope you love it as much as I love mine.

 

[alene]

I'm getting a halo with half pointers for my 1.6ct round and I think it's perfect for a delicate look. Gypsy's looks terrific and was definitely an inspiration for mine. I'm sure yours will be beautiful.


O

 

[yssie]

That is a great list from Gypsy, sums up the pros and cons very well.

One thing I would add - single cuts, again because of those bigger facets Gyspy talked about, can 'blend' better in colour w/ larger stones. Full cuts tend to look like bright white twinkly dots in these tiny sizes regardless of actual body colour (ie. full cut D/E melee vs. I/J). IIRC you have a J AVC? Some people prefer not to frame lower-coloured stones with a bright white outline, using single cuts is one solution. Some don't care, and others like the contrast

 

[Dougsgirl]

Wow... thanks for the awesome tutorial!

I am assuming that I am getting full cut stones. My designer didn't give me an option. I did ask her if she could get slightly warmer stones (G-I) because of my J center, and she is going to inquire about it.
I like Gypsy's description of having a "frame" to accent the center, rather than blending in with it. I don't mind a little difference in color, but hopefully it won't be drastic. My J looks very white in some lights and warm vanilla in others.

I think the wax is in process now!
I'm getting SO excited I can hardly stand it!!

 

[Dougsgirl]

Here are some pics for reference. My diamond is about 6x6.








First halo, single cut one pointers:


Final halo, full cut 1/2 pointers:


I MUCH prefer my 1/2 point halo. It really allows my center to be the star but still provides a lot of definition and style.

Gypsy, from the 2 close-up pictures with the different halos, it looks (to me) like the smaller halo stones make your center stone look larger. Did it look like that on your finger too??

 

[Gypsy]

Yes, the smaller halo plus the way it's set (it's set higher than it was with the one point halo) makes my stone look larger and generally brighter too, hard to explain.

Most places don't use single cuts, they are hard to source in good quality in any decent quantity. Most designers don't work with them at all. So it's actually not unusual that you didn't get a choice, it's pretty common. Getting a choice is what's uncommon. And even if you CAN get single cuts, getting them in lower colors is almost impossible.

Yssie's, point about the melee is a good one and I had forgotten that benefit of the single cuts. They do slow color better and are good for blending with lower color centers. My new halo is very white, it's just the way the full cuts give off light and there can be a contrast. It's not so much their color it's the way they reflect light. I've seen a lot of J's and most of them have been very white to the point that I was surprised they were J's. The only time I've seen J's that weren't white is with step cuts that show color more. I think you'll be okay. But even if the melee they find is lower color, they performance of the full cuts will give off white light. So if there is a contrast with your center, keep in mind that it's a performance contrast not a color contrast so much.

Alene, I can't wait till your ring is finished!

 

[Dougsgirl]

Good to know!
I expect my melee to be "twinkly white", which I'm sure I will love!
Your center stone looks very white too. What color is it??

 

[Gypsy]

Mine is an F. It's a step cut. You kinda have to go high. I don't know that I'd own an F if I didn't have a step cut, though. It's a VS1 too. Again the step cut thing. Every time I see a white J in a cushion (which I didn't know existed when I was looking at shapes for diamonds) I'm like-- damn, I could have gotten a MUCH bigger stone if I'd gone for a J SI cushion. Live and learn.

 

[alene]

Alene, I can't wait till your ring is finished!

Thanks Gypsy! Steven said he was going to try and finish it before his July 4th vacation. Which would mean - tomorrow? I can't wait either!

 

[Gypsy]

Great news!