Cup style setting to make K diamond appear whiter??

[cbnf90]

Hi All-

Has any "cupped" a diamond with platinum or white gold to make it appear brighter and less warm? I have looked through old threads and the only things I can find about "Cupping" stones is in yellow gold to enhance the yellow/warmth.

I have a K graded antique spready moval that I would like to cup to help with windowing, and am trying to decide if I should embrace the warmth and do all yellow gold, or make it appear brighter and whiter (if that is possible) with a plat. or white gold setting/cup? I would love to see any examples of where someone cupped a J/K in yellow or white gold.

Thanks!

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

I doubt it would work, but try by placing some aluminium foil under the stone or around the setting if you can.
The best trick is to use yellow prongs or bezel because it reduces the contrast.

 

[mwilliamanderson]

Does your diamond have yellow undertones or does it lean brownish. That will make a difference.

Have you considered unplated white gold. It looks great with some warmer diamonds. That may make the diamond appear whiter. Hopefully other members will post photos.

@oncrutchesrightnow has an unplated ring with a warmer stone.

Show me the Bling - the Laboratory Grown version!

I was confused too… I thought no LGD or other lab grown gems or synthetics could be posted on SMTB or RT. I just got a LGD set in unplated 14k white gold and wanted to post the ring and discuss it for other people who might be considering unplated WG but I feel like it would get buried here...

www.pricescope.com

@Lookinagain has a three stone M colored stones and chose yellow gold. https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/show-us-your-david-klass-bling.196654/post-4970888

No cups on either ring but if you read their threads you may get some good information about how they decided.

 

[cbnf90]

I doubt it would work, but try by placing some aluminium foil under the stone or around the setting if you can.
The best trick is to use yellow prongs or bezel because it reduces the contrast.

Thanks for the input Gary! I have heard that placing a J-M diamond in yellow gold makes it appear brighter.
I guess my conundrum is I primarily want to do a cup to help with the windowing, so I I am trying to decide if I that should be in yellow gold or white gold. I don't want to the stone to appear more yellow/tinted...I am thinking the best compromise might be to do a yellow gold setting/prongs, but with a white gold cup underneath.
Guessing that the white gold cup might not make it appear "whiter," but it will also not bring yellow through the stone like a yellow gold cup would?

 

[Lookinagain]

OP can you post a photo of your moval that shows the color somewhat accurately? How warm it looks might help with answers.

 

[cbnf90]

Does your diamond have yellow undertones or does it lean brownish. That will make a difference.

Have you considered unplated white gold. It looks great with some warmer diamonds. That may make the diamond appear whiter. Hopefully other members will post photos.

@oncrutchesrightnow has an unplated ring with a warmer stone.

Show me the Bling - the Laboratory Grown version!

I was confused too… I thought no LGD or other lab grown gems or synthetics could be posted on SMTB or RT. I just got a LGD set in unplated 14k white gold and wanted to post the ring and discuss it for other people who might be considering unplated WG but I feel like it would get buried here...

www.pricescope.com

@Lookinagain has a three stone M colored stones and chose yellow gold. https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/show-us-your-david-klass-bling.196654/post-4970888

No cups on either ring but if you read their threads you may get some good information about how they decided.

Hmm...I think it appears brownish leaning? I had not considered unplated white gold! Thanks so much for the suggestions. The main reason I would do a cup is for the windowing/large cutlet- trying to decide if that should be YG or WG (or now unplated WG!) is the secondary thought.

 

[cbnf90]

OP can you post a photo of your moval that shows the color somewhat accurately? How warm it looks might help with answers.

totally- just posted some below. Indoor lighting vs outdoor.

 

[cbnf90]

 

[Lookinagain]

I actually think unplated white gold might be good for you. I don't really know, though, what a cup will do, but with the color of your stone, it seems that unplated white might just help with the windowing you want to deal with and blend with the stone. If you're trying to make it whiter I wouldn't use a standard white metal but would choose unplated white or yellow. I always think warm stones show their yellow more when set in white gold or platinum, but that's just me.
I have a moval, GIA J color and I set it in yellow (no cup). I'm happy with the color of the stone as set. here is a photo culled from a video so probably not the best.

 

[mwilliamanderson]

@cbnf90 Here’s a thread you might find useful and there are some pictures. The OP has a stone like yours, in fact, and wanted to cup it for the same reason as you.

I really like your marquis and think a cup might help. Good luck.

Color enhancement cup

Hello, I had a question about enhancement cups, my vintage diamond has unique faceting pattern that looks like a cutlet but in reality it is not. It gives the stone the "Eye of Sauron" appearance which by now makes me laugh. David Klass suggested a cup to assist in diminishing the appearance of...

www.pricescope.com

 

[bludiva]

+1 for unplated wg!

 

[Lookinagain]

@cbnf90 Here’s a thread you might find useful and there are some pictures. The OP has a stone like yours, in fact, and wanted to cup it for the same reason as you.

I really like your marquis and think a cup might help. Good luck.

Color enhancement cup

Hello, I had a question about enhancement cups, my vintage diamond has unique faceting pattern that looks like a cutlet but in reality it is not. It gives the stone the "Eye of Sauron" appearance which by now makes me laugh. David Klass suggested a cup to assist in diminishing the appearance of...

www.pricescope.com

Her stone was an O/P color and she wanted to play up the yellow so added the yellow cup but if you're looking to make it whiter, that won't work for you.

Vintage Marquise reset by DK

This is an inherited piece left to my husband by his mother that was stuck in that 70/80s gaudy fabulous era. My husband and myself prefer simple and clean so with the help of David Klass and his amazing team he turned my gaudy girl into classy lady. Before Look After Reveal GIA graded...

www.pricescope.com

 

[Lookinagain]

OP if you know what setting you want, have a plastic/wax model made. Get some paint or nail polish in white/silver; yellow gold color etc and paid the model and drop your stone in and see how it looks. Putting it into the metal colors may help you decide what you like best. Not sure how to find a color that approximates unplated white, but there are so many nail polish colors out there, you can probably find one. I'd try something like this if I were confused on metal color. It might help.

 

[mwilliamanderson]

Her stone was an O/P color and she wanted to play up the yellow so added the yellow cup

Yes, I agree yellow wouldn't be the way to go. KK was playing up the yellow, but she was also trying to hide the eye in the center of her stone which is why I thought the thread was applicable.

I think a platinum or white gold cup/head with an unplated white gold shank might be the way to go.

 

[lulu_ma]

Are you planning to have any surrounding melee in your new setting? If so, ask your jeweler to try to color match the moval.

The melee in your current setting appears a tad whiter than the center stone. The juxtaposition is causing the center stone to appear more tinted.

 

[kgizo]

It sounds like you aren’t happy with the color, window, and culet. Don’t know how much a setting can help with all of that. How much do you like this diamond? Would you be better off replacing the setting or starting with a new diamond? How shallow is this diamond? Some vendors do a mirror back setting. It may help it appear brighter because more light is reflected up, but can lend a “watery” effect to the diamond. I think Dolly and Alex on IG have versions of this.

 

[tyty333]

The best trick is to use yellow prongs or bezel because it reduces the contrast.

Hey @Garry H (Cut Nut) ...just wanted to double-check your opinion on this. So you think a K-colored stone will "pop" more in
yellow gold prongs? The stone wont reflect more yellow from the prongs?

 

[Cerulean]

It sounds like you aren’t happy with the color, window, and culet. Don’t know how much a setting can help with all of that. How much do you like this diamond? Would you be better off replacing the setting or starting with a new diamond? How shallow is this diamond? Some vendors do a mirror back setting. It may help it appear brighter because more light is reflected up, but can lend a “watery” effect to the diamond. I think Dolly and Alex on IG have versions of this.

These are my thoughts exactly. I’m wondering if the diamond itself is the issue and there’s nothing wrong with that

I’ve reset a stone I wasn’t happy with, and ended up scrapping the whole project all together and spent a lot of money in the end. I should’ve gotten a different stone from the start

I expect the culet to be visible no matter what. I’m wondering if OP would be happier with a whiter, modern cut marquise

 

[Rfisher]

I’m having a Daussi (flat pancake diamond with leakage) set in yellow gold, but plating the metal areas right under the stone in white gold.
so same theory of the yellow gold not showing thru a leaky diamond. But not as aggressive as an additional cup being fabricated.
id choose an intricate gallery (more metal) with interior that’s next to stones pavilion getting plated white, over a cup. Easier to clean!

 

[whitewave]

I used unplated white gold for my K. Works perfectly.

 

[cbnf90]

Are you planning to have any surrounding melee in your new setting? If so, ask your jeweler to try to color match the moval.

The melee in your current setting appears a tad whiter than the center stone. The juxtaposition is causing the center stone to appear more tinted.

Good eye. The baguettes are assessed at H/I color. I plan on putting step traps on either side that color match the center stone.

 

[cbnf90]

I’m having a Daussi (flat pancake diamond with leakage) set in yellow gold, but plating the metal areas right under the stone in white gold.
so same theory of the yellow gold not showing thru a leaky diamond. But not as aggressive as an additional cup being fabricated.
id choose an intricate gallery (more metal) with interior that’s next to stones pavilion getting plated white, over a cup. Easier to clean!

Thanks for the suggestion! I will bring this idea up with my jeweler. I also want to be able to wearing my wedding bands, so I need to "lift up" the diamonds with a gallery anyways.

 

[tyty333]

I used unplated white gold for my K. Works perfectly.

Hey @whitewave Can you give us the SMTB link for your K? I'm looking at a K colored stone right now and just not sure what
to put it in.

 

[cbnf90]

These are my thoughts exactly. I’m wondering if the diamond itself is the issue and there’s nothing wrong with that

I’ve reset a stone I wasn’t happy with, and ended up scrapping the whole project all together and spent a lot of money in the end. I should’ve gotten a different stone from the start

I expect the culet to be visible no matter what. I’m wondering if OP would be happier with a whiter, modern cut marquise

I get that it sounds like I don't like it because I just went straight in with all the "negatives" (for lack of a better word...It's early still here and my brain isn't fully awake). But I do love it, and know I want to reset it anyways so I can wear wedding bands, so was thinking about all the practicalities/nuances to ensure that this diamond lives its best life.

 

[Lookinagain]

Hey @whitewave Can you give us the SMTB link for your K? I'm looking at a K colored stone right now and just not sure what
to put it in.

i have some K colored mrb studs in yellow gold if you want to see what that looks like too. Just let me know.

 

[cbnf90]

It sounds like you aren’t happy with the color, window, and culet. Don’t know how much a setting can help with all of that. How much do you like this diamond? Would you be better off replacing the setting or starting with a new diamond? How shallow is this diamond? Some vendors do a mirror back setting. It may help it appear brighter because more light is reflected up, but can lend a “watery” effect to the diamond. I think Dolly and Alex on IG have versions of this.

It's a little over 3.00mm, so it is spready, which I wanted, and I know there is a payoff for that .
I LOVE Dolly's (xothebijouxbox) settings. I think she is so amazing at what she does with antique stones. I wish she was accepting outside stones for custom work right now! I have many examples of her work saved to my phone to show my jeweler.

 

[whitewave]

Hey @whitewave Can you give us the SMTB link for your K? I'm looking at a K colored stone right now and just not sure what
to put it in.

I’m running out the door for errands, so later? It’s my CBI so it’s really white anyway and it’s in a solitaire setting. I realize other shapes hold color more, so it might not apply.

I will take some pics later on. I always claim to be tint sensitive and this K doesn’t bother me at all and I’m convinced its because it’s in unplated white gold (or white gold where the plate is now off. I made sure Wink didn’t replate it.

 

[tyty333]

I think I did find a picture of it @whitewave but more pictures would be great too!

 

[Karl_K]

I have always wanted to try a bright blue or red cup for such a stone I think it would be mega kewl.

 

[AJ37]

I have always wanted to try a bright blue or red cup for such a stone I think it would be mega kewl.

Karl that is a cool idea!
For what it’s worth I think a cup or a platinum head holding a slightly off white diamond does help whiten the look. I also cringe when I see completely colorless diamonds of significant size set in a yellow head.