Thoughts on 1.2 E VVS2 Hexagon Diamond? (Pic & GIA)

[Hexagon]

Would love to hear your thoughts on this stone before I pull the trigger! Thank you!

 

[diamondhoarder]

I love the shape but the stone does have a lot of windowing/ leakage. You can see right through the stone to the background behind it. My worry would be that the light return will be dull and flat and you may see quite a bit of the setting showing through the diamond once its set. It depends whether you value having a stone which faces up large and has an unusual shape over having a lively diamond with strong light return.

 

[Hexagon]

I love the shape but the stone does have a lot of windowing/ leakage. You can see right through the stone to the background behind it. My worry would be that the light return will be dull and flat and you may see quite a bit of the setting showing through the diamond once its set. It depends whether you value having a stone which faces up large and has an unusual shape over having a lively diamond with strong light return.

What do you think I should look for to get better light return? More depth? If so, do you have an idea of a good depth percentage range? Thanks for your input!

 

[Hexagon]

Here's a link to a video:

https://imgur.com/soaWuQu

 

[diamondhoarder]

Unfortunately there are no guidelines for ideal cut parameters of hexagons. There are not too many around so its more difficult to shop for something with specific parameters. Generally when a diamond has a table % which is way higher than its depth % it is a shallow cut and less likely to give good light return.

There are no hard and fast rules but something with a smaller table and larger depth % than this one might be a better bet. The key to it really is how it looks in the photos, videos, but most importantly to your own eyes in person, especially in "normal" lighting away from jewellery shop lights. You could also request an ASET image, which will give some indication as to whether the diamond has a lot of leakage or other undesirable light return issues.

If you are set on a hexagon then you might have to compromise on light return unless you are prepared to wait for an amazing example to turn up, or have one custom cut.

 

[Rockdiamond]

My .02cents...

If we're looking at a modern Round Brilliant cut diamond, there's really one way it's "supposed" to look- basically, it's a "standard".
Once we get into Fancy Shapes, light return is like a spice. It's very personal- what one person finds spicy, the next finds bland.
So there's really no standard Light Return" or Light Performance that will please everyone who loves any particular fancy shape.
So, what might be a "compromise" for one observer might be a plus for another.
Once we get into really "weird" shapes, there are just no rules in my opinion.

It's certainly an unusual diamond!

 

[Hexagon]

My .02cents...

If we're looking at a modern Round Brilliant cut diamond, there's really one way it's "supposed" to look- basically, it's a "standard".
Once we get into Fancy Shapes, light return is like a spice. It's very personal- what one person finds spicy, the next finds bland.
So there's really no standard Light Return" or Light Performance that will please everyone who loves any particular fancy shape.
So, what might be a "compromise" for one observer might be a plus for another.
Once we get into really "weird" shapes, there are just no rules in my opinion.

It's certainly an unusual diamond!

Got it! Looking at the video and pic, in your opinion, do you think the setting would show through the diamond, to the point that it would look bad/weird? I don't have a good idea of what it might look like once set.

Thank you!

 

[Rockdiamond]

Hi Hex,
Trade member are not supposed to make specific comments about diamonds being offered by other sellers- but I can make general comments.
When we've set very unusual stones ( horse heads, turtles, what have you) it's far less predictable in terms of how it's going to come out. Because there's no frame of reference.

About windowing: As I said, it's very personal.
Some people are bothered by it, in other cases, the personality of the stone is what the person sees and loves. Sometimes it's possible to see the ring through the diamond as you tilt it- which might be a bother to some, and not to others ( we have many of both sorts of clients
Any diamond looks weird if you tilt it enough.....

 

[Hexagon]

Unfortunately there are no guidelines for ideal cut parameters of hexagons. There are not too many around so its more difficult to shop for something with specific parameters. Generally when a diamond has a table % which is way higher than its depth % it is a shallow cut and less likely to give good light return.

There are no hard and fast rules but something with a smaller table and larger depth % than this one might be a better bet. The key to it really is how it looks in the photos, videos, but most importantly to your own eyes in person, especially in "normal" lighting away from jewellery shop lights. You could also request an ASET image, which will give some indication as to whether the diamond has a lot of leakage or other undesirable light return issues.

If you are set on a hexagon then you might have to compromise on light return unless you are prepared to wait for an amazing example to turn up, or have one custom cut.

Thanks, diamondhoarder!

I've been reaching out to s few custom cutters, and everyone I've reached out to has said that it's probably better to wait for something right to turn up on the market, as the output of the rough might not be exactly what we expected. That said, do you happen to have any recommendations for custom cutters?

 

[diamondhoarder]

Thanks, diamondhoarder!

I've been reaching out to s few custom cutters, and everyone I've reached out to has said that it's probably better to wait for something right to turn up on the market, as the output of the rough might not be exactly what we expected. That said, do you happen to have any recommendations for custom cutters?

I wouldnt really know where to start finding one, sorry.

 

[distracts]

There are a lot of different "flavors" of hexagonal diamonds and that is not one that i personally like, but if you do, then go for it.

Here are some I like:









The thing I don't like about the one you posted versus the ones I posted, is that the "ends" seem less integrated into the rest of the cut - there is a step-cut middle section, and then the pointy ends look kind of tacked on. Whereas in the similar elongated hexagon cuts I posted that have pointy ends, I like them when the faceting of the end kind of extends down in the middle to give you a bit more of a wedge shape. But they are different kinds of cuts - so different people will like different things. I know what I like and I would be happier with one more like the ones I posted.

As others have said, with fancies there's no real way of telling other than seeing the diamonds with your own eyes (or at least on video) and seeing if you like them. They don't have the same kinds of rules that round brilliants have.

 

[Rockdiamond]

AMAZING hexagon collection @distracts !!!
I agree that this stone has a different sort of personality than any that you posted.
It looks to me as if it was cut from a very shallow piece of rough called a Mackel. Many Pear Shapes and Marquises are also cut from such rough diamonds.
Given that you can't cut a "normal" diamond from this peice of rough, the cutter needs to be creative.
As was pointed out the advantage is large surface area.
I have loved many such stones over the years.
They get trashed here for reasons that make sense intellectually- but that's not how I look at diamonds.

 

[distracts]

AMAZING hexagon collection @distracts !!!
I agree that this stone has a different sort of personality than any that you posted.
It looks to me as if it was cut from a very shallow piece of rough called a Mackel. Many Pear Shapes and Marquises are also cut from such rough diamonds.
Given that you can't cut a "normal" diamond from this peice of rough, the cutter needs to be creative.
As was pointed out the advantage is large surface area.
I have loved many such stones over the years.
They get trashed here for reasons that make sense intellectually- but that's not how I look at diamonds.

One example of shallower cuts that are very beautiful are the Daussi cushions. I have seen a few in person and they are great. I don't know that I've ever seen an ASET but I suspect they have light leakage, but as a diamond is a three-dimensional object viewed from different angles, that is not always the kind of destroyer of beauty we think of it as. For instance right now rose cuts are very popular and definitely have tons of leakage but you're not TRYING to get the same kind of light performance out of a rose cut as you are out of a round brilliant - so it's important to know what you want out of a diamond and choose one that meets your desires and expectations. If you want no light leakage and nothing showing through from the other side - a shallower cut is not for you. If you don't mind that, it can be a good way to get added face-up size, and there are styles that specialize in that while remaining beautiful.

For the hexagon you linked - I personally would not go for it for an engagement ring, but would be more inclined for a bracelet or pendant. But it depends on what YOU like and want. And for my own projects I often go against the advice I get on PS because the more someone says they like something else, the more I stick to my original idea, lol. So definitely take our thoughts into consideration but make up your own mind. If possible, I'd see if they could get you a video of the stone on the hand, or in a stone-holder on the hand - that will give you a much better idea of what might show through.

 

[OoohShiny]

Personally speaking I don't think the stone looks good in the video - perhaps it's because the room is all a beige colour that the 'long' facets look all the same when it tilts, as they aren't showing the black line in the background through the stone, but either way, I think it's a bit 'lifeless' when in motion

IIRC @kevnick80 bought a great hexagon lately?? but I'm not sure where from. I think he also struggled to find a nice one!

re: custom cutting, Yoram at Gemconcepts (diagem on here) often does unusual cuts and would be a PS-recommended option

 

[SouthernElle]

I think it’s interesting, but I wouldn’t choose it. In the video the only sparkles come from the pointed ends, the middle is pretty lifeless. I’d want advanced imagery showing light performance for any fancy or unique shape.

 

[distracts]

Weird that other people are not liking the middle but liking the pointed ends when it is the opposite for me!

 

[Mrs_Strizzle]

Parksfinegroupinc on Instagram has some interesting hex and hex-like right now

 

[AV_]

The pictures are difficult to read - most light is in the back of the stone. I am guessing that the stone is a bright step cut of a certain type [below]; I am very FOR these things.

View this content on Instagram

View this content on Instagram

 

[AV_]

Little sister:

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View this content on Instagram

 

[Cosmetologist]

I bought a similar shape a Blue Irradiated Duchess Cut Diamond by Suberi Bros around 2 years ago its only small at 0.43ct but is quite spready due to the shallowness so faces up like a 0.65ct Marquise.

It does have some very slight Windowing but overall its very lively & I enjoy the interesting Shape of the Stone, I think you should go with a Diamond that makes your heart sing - If you have any doubts at all especially after seeing a Vid don't go with it - Something will come along & knock your socks off!

 

[Hexagon]

Weird that other people are not liking the middle but liking the pointed ends when it is the opposite for me!

I agree, @distracts !

But I really appreciate all the comments here!!! So helpful for my search

I got videos on a hand and a stone holder. Do you guys think something like this would look good set on a ring? I do love the long facets and the hall of mirrors effect when looking at the loose diamond, but I do want it to perform well when it's set.

I'm not expecting the same light return you'd get from a brilliant, but I don't want to see so much of the setting that it would take away from the beauty of the diamond. I don't want more windowing and leakage than you would get from any other step cut.

https://imgur.com/a/EmO2dNy

https://imgur.com/a/TzI8dGr

 

[whitewave]

Tell us what you love about it. I thinks it’s super cool, but I tend to asschers and emerald cuts....

 

[rockysalamander]

You can see the holder through the stone, so setting would be very tricky.

 

[distracts]

This DOES have more leakage than other step cuts - you can quite clearly see the stone holder and fingers through the stone. You'll notice in the video in the stone holder they are spinning it rather than tilting it back and forth - and the few glimpses of it tilted make it clear there's a lot more tilt window than many diamonds have.

Whether that will bother you or not is really down to personal preference, likewise whether you will think it looks good or not is down to personal preference. It depends on the style of ring and what you are expecting and wanting from it. It's a very unique cut and while I like it, I don't know that I would like it for an engagement ring - it might be a bit out there for me personally to wear every day. BUT it might be exactly what YOU want.

This is specifically what worries and would bother me in an engagement ring - this off-angle view is super blurry but it is my belief based on this video that these off-angle views are going to be entirely see-through on that far side, and engagement rings are very, very often viewed at this kind of angle (why it wouldn't worry me too much for a pendant):

 

[whitewave]

Yes, sort of like a portrait cut in a way