Should sidestones match color/clarity of center stone?

[joey122]

Should sidestones match the color and clarity of the center stone?

How close should they be in each?

I want to purchase a setting with princess cut sidestones of D-E color and VVS1 clarity but the center asscher stone I may be purchasing is I, VS1.

 

[LadyluvsLuxury]

Joey from what I have been told you should try to say within a color/clarity grade from your center stone for side stones. However, I am sure others will chime in and give their opinions as well

 

[Kaleigh]

If your center stone is an I, I would stay within the G-I range for side stones. If you put D-E sidestones next to an I center stone you will definitely see a difference in color. That is a big jump in color, IMHO. HTH, good luck!!!

 

[Libster]

I have a 3 stone ring where all stones are the same color (I) and I love it. I know if my sidestones were anything other than H or I they would have detracted from my center stone. In this case they really do support the sparkle.

Once you decide, you must post pics of the final product!

 

[Capitol Bill]

Hi Joey,
In general, a center step cut (asscher) will show more body color than brilliant cut (princess) side stones. I''ll assume that you''re intentionally going for a mixed "look" with this ring (which can be pretty cool). By "mixed" I mean mixing a step cut with brilliant cuts. Because brilliant cuts tend to return more white light, I would suggest you may want to see how J-K color princess cuts look faceup next to your I color asscher.
Bill Scherlag

 

[lost on 5th]

i think in color you can be anywhere in the H to J range. given the change of plane and scale from the side stones to the center, that color dif. wont be noticed. clarity.. you will probably be rather high anyways given the small size of the side stones... you wont notice that.

 

[MrsFrk]

As Capitol Bill mentioned, the step cuts (Asscher/Emerald) will show body color more than the brilliant cuts, so in this case I do think that the disparity in color will be evident. I do like the shape mixing though!

I have a 3 stone RB ring that has a G, F, and D colored stones and though I am color sensitive since the stones are all the same cut, all you see is sparkle.

 

[theboss]

I''m very much a novice at this, so don''t take what I say too seriously. But today I just looked at my setting (14k white) with G side stones (.6 tcw) next to my center stone (ideal cut, I, IF) and unfortunetly I was very dissapointed and will be returning the stone.

I also brought the setting into a local jeweler and looked at a F, G and H in my setting and I could even detect the yellowness of the H stone. So I''m now shopping for only G''s and will sacrifice on the clarity instead.

 

[moremoremore]

Sorry Boss. That stinks. the stones so look a lot different when you get them home, huh? And some people (like me) are very color sensitive.

and Joey- That is a bad move. D or E next to step cut I? Stick with H, I, J.
I do have an E center that sits next to a G and it is OK though. But I think G next to I might be pushing it a little. YOu''ll have to see it in person to know.

 

[carrot]

Stones should match in color. In bands such as eternity rings, one of the differences between a premium and a knockoff is that in a premium ring, all of the stones are color matched.

I encourage you to consider trading some clarity for higher color, especially in an Asscher. Visually, the stones only need to be eye clean. That is, when you look carefully at the stone, you won't be able to see any defects (inclusions) in it. VS2 stones are usually eye clean; some SI1 stones are eye clean and some aren't. If you go with an SI1, be sure that you know what you are getting.

Before you buy an Asscher, you should at least check out the Royal Asscher, a somewhat recently released cut. They are hard to find in this country, but one vendor that carries them is Diamond Brokers of Florida (321) 984-0757. You could probably get them to send you a stone to look at if you secure it with a credit card and pay the shipping.

Be patient and learn about diamonds before you buy, It will pay long term dividends.

 

[carrot]

 

[moremoremore]

Sorry. You are wrong. Stones need not match in color. Trust me. Any expert here will tell you. And FYI- I have *premium* cushions. Modern cuts, excellent polish, excellent symmetry, ideal cuts for a cushion if ever there was one. And they do not match. I chose E F and G. Clearly not a knock-off.

 

[Sundial]

I agree that diamonds do not need to match exactly in color, but should be fairly close. My new three stone has an F center stone and G sidestones and they are all ideal cut diamonds in a premium setting. I can''t tell any difference between them, but I do think I would notice the difference between an I and colorless stones.

 

[moremoremore]

I agree that steps show more color. I do not agree that side stones have to be the same color. A step up or down will usually be fine, and especially since the side stones are princess stones and not step cuts!

 

[MissAva]

I think you need to drop you color for your sidestones, or up the color of your center. You are spending alot of money for that lovely stone and you dont want to have its look lessened by the setting. Settings are meant to enhance the stone, not detract from it. I would not go up more then a single color grade in your situation, and I would go down much lower either. I think Capital Bill gave you some great advice when he said to go and look at some other stones in warmer color ranges next to your stone. Good Luck!