Mixing brilliant and step cuts...

[Autumn in New England]

I feel like I have exceeded my limit for posting this week, sorry.

But I would like to get everyone's perspective on this. Strictly speaking in terms of either a 3 or 5 stone ring with a CS center and diamonds sides, how tolerant are you of mixing brilliant and step cuts? I guess it depends for me. For instance, if I have a step cut center CS, then I feel like you really need to go with step sides (because brilliant diamonds will almost certainly outshine a step CS... plus, it just looks cleaner). However, if I have a brilliant/mixed cut center CS, I think I'd be ok with either brilliant or step sides. At the GIA, they sort of drilled into us that you should pair like with like. But rules are so much more relaxed these days. Anyway, I'm always thinking about possible resales, so I'd like to get an idea of collector consensus on the issue. How do you feel about it?

P.S. I think I recall @Ionysis having strong feelings about this!

 

[Dreamer_D]

Many antique rings pair an emerald cut center gem with antique round sides. I like that look a lot.

 

[Avondale]

because brilliant diamonds will almost certainly outshine a step CS

I vehemently disagree with this concept.

The only thing diamonds have going for them is the sparkle. And lots of marketing. In any other respect they are boring. They're colourless and bland (sorry, diamond lovers), and no one would bother to look at them if they weren't faceted. Most of what makes a diamond a diamond is the cut.

Maybe a diamond will be able to steal the thunder from a mediocre coloured stone.

But one displaying strong and vivid colour? Such a stone can only be enhanced by the presence of diamonds, never upstaged.

 

[Autumn in New England]

Many antique rings pair an emerald cut center gem with antique round sides. I like that look a lot.

I vehemently disagree with this concept.

The only thing diamonds have going for them is the sparkle. And lots of marketing. In any other respect they are boring. They're colourless and bland (sorry, diamond lovers), and no one would bother to look at them if they weren't faceted. Most of what makes a diamond a diamond is the cut.

Maybe a diamond will be able to steal the thunder from a mediocre coloured stone.

But one displaying strong and vivid colour? Such a stone can only be enhanced by the presence of diamonds, never upstaged.

I'm glad to hear you both say this, because I'm thinking of mixing and don't want to commit a cutting faux pas! I've been browsing Leon Mege designs, and not only does he set brilliant centers with step sides, and vice versa, but he also mixes the cuts on the diamond sides! No rules anymore, I suppose, and I'm here for it.

 

[Autumn in New England]

 

[Rfisher]

I think it’s case by case, and the individual stones themselves, to what would please my eye. And even the type of setting, too.

Used to feel that never the two should mingle.

 

[LilAlex]

Friends in an adjacent neighborhood got a letter from their HOA about mixing roses and rhodies in their front yard. When we learned, we stopped hanging out with them. The shame.

I get why there's a "rule" -- to ground the unimaginative -- but I also get that the more sophisticated can absolutely make it work. Our only step-cut is a century old and has a halo of near-invisible round-cut diamonds. The ring in your example above "works" for me because the tapered baguettes are like a continuation of the shank.

 

[mellowyellowgirl]

Agree with everything @Avondale said!

Diamonds are boring and only ever guest stars imo. Don’t get me wrong I love a few of them sprinkled around but they will never outshine the colour of a CS.

Here’s an example of a ring I made for Lil Sis as a milestone present. Emerald cuts and round brilliant diamonds. The diamonds are still just guest stars.

 

[Autumn in New England]

Agree with everything @Avondale said!

Diamonds are boring and only ever guest stars imo. Don’t get me wrong I love a few of them sprinkled around but they will never outshine the colour of a CS.

Here’s an example of a ring I made for Lil Sis as a milestone present. Emerald cuts and round brilliant diamonds. The diamonds are still just guest stars.

That's just gorgeous, mellow! You are the best big sis ever. As a lil sis with a big bro, I can assure you it's not the same thing. lol

Let me clarify that I'm only questioning mixing cuts when we're talking about a 3 or 5 stone ring with a CS center. I LOVE step cuts with a round brilliant halo!!

 

[mellowyellowgirl]

Whooops! Ha I’m so foolish! I was like: why is she troubled by round brilliants and CS all of a sudden. CS is always in weird cuts.

I still think it will be fine! Diamonds are meh and only every guest stars to a CS. Did you know that for years my son thought that diamonds were only used as melee? His mind was blown when he realised I had an actual full sized diamond.

 

[0-0-0]

I’m playing around with the idea of a precision step cut aqua with H&A cushion cut diamond sides.

 

[Autumn in New England]

...for years my son thought that diamonds were only used as melee?

lol I love this!

 

[Autumn in New England]

I’m playing around with the idea of a precision step cut aqua with H&A cushion sides.

I would love to see this once you get rolling with it!

 

[Mrsz1ppy]

I would ask myself, what would @Neptune do? For edgy modern design, she’s my inspiration.

 

[Begonia]

I would ask myself, what would @Neptune do? For edgy modern design, she’s my inspiration.

WWND for short

 

[Neptune]

I would ask myself, what would @Neptune do? For edgy modern design, she’s my inspiration.

I'm flattered and thank you.

WWND for short

I'm slow and took me a while to understand it. Thank you.