Matching Sidestones to a Fluorescent Center

[crr243]

Hi all,

I am strongly considering a MB fluorescent RB for a 3-stone e-ring. The side stone diameters will be ~70% of the center stone.

What is the best way to color match the side stones to the center? Should I be searching for a MB fluorescent pair at the same color grade? Can I buy non-fluorescent pair 1-2 color grades higher?

Am I over thinking this?

 

[luvdajules]

Hi OP, I think the general rule is to match within 2 color grades (flouro can be either way, as long no negative impact which is rare any way). However, I think it really depends on the color (and sizes involved) of the center stone you want to match to. For instance, it would be safe to stay in the same color grouping: DEF, GHI, JKL, etc. With an F center, you can probably go as high as H (G is safer). If your center stone is I, I think J would be safe (as the color bands starting at J start to get wider so I wouldn't necessarily go to K but you could with smaller side stones). Anyway, just my 2 cents to get the discussion started.

 

[marymm]

Are you still working with BGD for the center stone? If so, have them find you the side-stones - they'll have the center stone in-house and can find some pairs for you to consider.

If it were me, I'd prefer the side-stones to have no fluor as I think it would be very difficult to "match" the degree of fluor present in your center stone, and personally it would bother me if the fluor showed in differing amounts on the 3 stones. (For a 3 stone, I'd be more concerned about the table/crown height matching across the board, plus the star/lower girdle facets matching on the pair)

 

[yssie]

Hi all,

I am strongly considering a MB fluorescent RB for a 3-stone e-ring. The side stone diameters will be ~70% of the center stone.

What is the best way to color match the side stones to the center? Should I be searching for a MB fluorescent pair at the same color grade? Can I buy non-fluorescent pair 1-2 color grades higher?

Am I over thinking this?

It has been my experience that the GIA pulls fluor grades out of a hat... tradespeople have noted that GIA's fluor grading should always be verified.

Exhibit A:
The largest pair of sidestones: one has "faint" fluor by the GIA report, the other has "none".
The middle pair of sidestones: both have "none" per the GIA reports.


My advice: if strength and colour of fluor is important to you choose a vendor whose eyes you trust, send them your centerstone, and let them find the matching sides. You'll lose your sanity trying to match by the notation on the report.

 

[crr243]

I was more concerned about matching the apparent "whiteness" of non-fluorescent sides to a fluorescent center. It makes sense that this would be subjective, though.

I thought I had noted in my original post, but the stone I'm looking at is an H VS2 from BGD. If I go this route, I'll ask them to color match the sides.

 

[crr243]

One of the pairs provided for consideration has I color stones.

How would this work with an H center?