Can Re-Cutting a Diamond Fix Leakage?

[Godrick]

Hi Friends,

I recently upgraded my cushion cut to a beautiful stone and I am overall very happy with its performance, it sparkles like mad and in most lighting looks bright and white (it is I colored so sometimes it shows its warmth, and tends to go dark in fluorescent overhead lighting and direct sunlight, but overall a real white glitterball)

I have noticed recently (when putting my ring down on my desk) that there is a distinct spot where I could see the color of the paper it sat on right through the stone! A big old leakage spot. This is a bummer but also not the worst thing in the world, as again, I am overall very happy with the look and performance of the stone and love my ring. But I was just wondering, is this the kind of thing people re-cut their stones to fix? and if so, what is that process like (cost, time, typical loss of size that comes with it?)


Thanks in advance!

 

[Rockdiamond]

What is seldom mentioned in these discussions is that "leakage" can be an essential element in a diamond's cut.....there's so many variables when it comes to cushions (for example)
A round brilliant is a round brilliant- has to look one specific way. Designed not to have "leakage"
Cushions are different......

 

[Godrick]

What is seldom mentioned in these discussions is that "leakage" can be an essential element in a diamond's cut.....there's so many variables when it comes to cushions (for example)
A round brilliant is a round brilliant- has to look one specific way. Designed not to have "leakage"
Cushions are different......

this is an interesting perspective I hadn't considered!

 

[Rockdiamond]

Also, consider the financial incentive to get people to believe "leakage" is a horrible phenomenon.
If you want to sell "Super Ideal" diamonds at a premium, you need to show why they should cost more.
Leakage...even the name brings negative connotations.
And once you've convinced people how bad it is, they will naturally assume the same for cushions, etc.....

 

[0515vision]

@Rockdiamond can you explain leakage a bit more? And also leakage in relation to cushions? I’m a newbie.

My understanding is that leakage is when you see through the diamond and there’s no reflection of the light beam. I guess portrait cuts to me, seem like the ultimate leakage.

And are you saying that round brilliants are cut to minimize if not eliminate leakage? Whereas cushions and other fancy cuts aren’t necessarily aiming for this obliteration of leakage? Is related to the “ground glass” phenomenon that some ppl complain about?

And OP, if I’ve hijacked your thread, I’ll be happy to start a new one. I just got excited about @rockdiamond’s nuances of leakage. Maybe you’re interested, too? If not, my apologies!

 

[Ibrakeforpossums]

Also, consider the financial incentive to get people to believe "leakage" is a horrible phenomenon.
If you want to sell "Super Ideal" diamonds at a premium, you need to show why they should cost more.
Leakage...even the name brings negative connotations.
And once you've convinced people how bad it is, they will naturally assume the same for cushions, etc.....

You're so right! Makes me wonder how long I have before I'm wearing Depends.

 

[Godrick]

@Rockdiamond can you explain leakage a bit more? And also leakage in relation to cushions? I’m a newbie.

My understanding is that leakage is when you see through the diamond and there’s no reflection of the light beam. I guess portrait cuts to me, seem like the ultimate leakage.

And are you saying that round brilliants are cut to minimize if not eliminate leakage? Whereas cushions and other fancy cuts aren’t necessarily aiming for this obliteration of leakage? Is related to the “ground glass” phenomenon that some ppl complain about?

And OP, if I’ve hijacked your thread, I’ll be happy to start a new one. I just got excited about @rockdiamond’s nuances of leakage. Maybe you’re interested, too? If not, my apologies!

By all means, I am very interested!!

 

[Rfisher]

I have noticed recently (when putting my ring down on my desk) that there is a distinct spot where I could see the color of the paper it sat on right through the stone! A big old leakage spot.

Leakage isn’t tilt window - right?

 

[Godrick]

Leakage isn’t tilt window - right?

You know I'm not totally sure. I will post a photo to demonstrate but (PLEASE) be nice!! I know this is Rocky-Talky but I do love this stone and it was a big mental process of upgrading to it so not looking for any intense criticisms (negative opinions about quality of stone, cut), just observations! I'll also attach a pic of it in daily diffused lighting. Note, the leakage doesnt happen while wearing it (i.e. I cant see my finger through the stone)

 

[Rfisher]

Not an expert - but I think that’s due to tilt.

Not an expert - so I won’t go further to say a ‘better cut’ stone would need more degree of tilt to show a window. Please don’t take ‘better cut’ stone to be an intense criticism of your stone.

I can show you an extreme example of tilt window much worse than yours on a pancake daussi diamond of mine, if you want to see?

 

[Godrick]

https://imgur.com/a/USHv3Hh

 

[Godrick]

Not an expert - but I think that’s due to tilt.

Not an expert - so I won’t go further to say a ‘better cut’ stone would need more degree of tilt to show a window. Please don’t take ‘better cut’ stone to be an intense criticism of your stone.

I can show you an extreme example of tilt window much worse than yours on a pancake daussi diamond of mine, if you want to see?

sure! would be interested. Thanks for sharing

 

[Ibrakeforpossums]

Godrick, that's a beautiful diamond on your hand. I would SO forgive a little tilt window like that, if that's even what it is. You can't see your ring thru it. It's like another identifier.

 

[Godrick]

Godrick, that's a beautiful diamond on your hand. I would SO forgive a little tilt window like that, if that's even what it is. You can't see your ring thru it. It's like another identifier.

Thank you, friend! I am totally forgiving of it!! My curiosity was just peaked - I am always glad to ask questions like this, because I learn so much. Tilt window vs leakage, round vs cushion cut - "goals". This is why I love it here.

 

[lovedogs]

I would definitely forgive that tilt window

 

[glitterata]

Are you sure that's not just the diamond reflecting the paper in front of it, rather than the paper behind it showing through? (You can experiment by drawing on the paper, using different colors of paper in front and behind, etc.)

 

[0-0-0]

Looks more like low angle reflections from the crown.

 

[Rockdiamond]

Any diamond will have weird reflections as you tilt it.
I love the example pics ( and diamond) posted by @Godrick
perfectly illustrates how a diamond can allow light to pass through sometimes.
And also how that specific aspect is not a negative in all cases. Or even most cases if we're talking about non round diamonds.
Really nice looking Radiant Cuts are leaky by nature.
The very best Cutters of fancy shaped diamonds are not trying to eliminate this phenomenon.

 

[Kim N]

I love your diamond, Godrick. I wouldn't try to change a thing about it.

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

Here is an AGS 0 princess cut with a hole in the center.
If you took a photo you can see straight through, like your stone.
But when you look face on at such a stone because each eye is at a slightly different angle, you cant see through (unless you close one eye).
The further you are away from the stone the smaller the angular difference, so the more see thru you will get. Recutting may make a tiny difference, but I imagine when you are looking at your ring on your finger it is not an issue?

 

[Bz_Sa]

You know I'm not totally sure. I will post a photo to demonstrate but (PLEASE) be nice!! I know this is Rocky-Talky but I do love this stone and it was a big mental process of upgrading to it so not looking for any intense criticisms (negative opinions about quality of stone, cut), just observations! I'll also attach a pic of it in daily diffused lighting. Note, the leakage doesnt happen while wearing it (i.e. I cant see my finger through the stone)

Hi,

Friends do help you a lot.

Just wanted to say that the stone seems to have a nice cut.

also, keep in mind that the worst kind of leakage is the one when you look at it under aset/ideal scope vertically (like the picture Mr. Holloway shared) but I see too many diamonds which have just tiny light leakages when viewed vertically but show very big light leakages when tilting.

Recutting is not a thing I recommend but anytime you feel like you can buy a better diamond that seems to have better light performance (in your eyes or certified to be so) you may just easily upgrade your stone.

if you wanna be so precise about it, take a look at GemEx website, next time you may buy a diamond with GemEx certificate or AGS light performance certificate.

I like your stone, you are happy with it; so enjoy it

 

[tyty333]

FYI @Bz_Sa

She just upgraded to this nicely cut cushion from a crushed iced cushion which didnt fit her taste. BTW, upgrading is not always
done "easily".

 

[Rfisher]

sure! would be interested. Thanks for sharing

Thus should help you feel better about your little tilt leakage

 

[Ibrakeforpossums]

Rfisher, SO beautiful!

 

[Godrick]

Are you sure that's not just the diamond reflecting the paper in front of it, rather than the paper behind it showing through? (You can experiment by drawing on the paper, using different colors of paper in front and behind, etc.)

Yes, sure! I tried these tests

I love the example pics ( and diamond) posted by @Godrick
perfectly illustrates how a diamond can allow light to pass through sometimes.

Thank you @Rockdiamond!!

I love your diamond, Godrick. I wouldn't try to change a thing about it.

Kim, thank you for such a nice compliment!

Recutting may make a tiny difference, but I imagine when you are looking at your ring on your finger it is not an issue?

That's right Gary, not an issue when on my finger!

 

[Godrick]

Friends do help you a lot.

Just wanted to say that the stone seems to have a nice cut.

also, keep in mind that the worst kind of leakage is the one when you look at it under aset/ideal scope vertically (like the picture Mr. Holloway shared) but I see too many diamonds which have just tiny light leakages when viewed vertically but show very big light leakages when tilting.

Recutting is not a thing I recommend but anytime you feel like you can buy a better diamond that seems to have better light performance (in your eyes or certified to be so) you may just easily upgrade your stone.

if you wanna be so precise about it, take a look at GemEx website, next time you may buy a diamond with GemEx certificate or AGS light performance certificate.

I like your stone, you are happy with it; so enjoy it

I agree that re-cutting is not a great option for me, thanks for the insight

FYI @Bz_Sa

She just upgraded to this nicely cut cushion from a crushed iced cushion which didnt fit her taste. BTW, upgrading is not always
done "easily".

Agreed @tyty333 and thanks again for your support! What a ride THAT was.

 

[Godrick]

Thus should help you feel better about your little tilt leakage

Great examples! And a gorgeous ring. Thanks for sharing.