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What is the effect of metal color on diamonds in a setting?

What is the effect of metal color on diamonds in a setting?

“I’m wondering how different metal colors affect diamonds in a setting. I recently ran across an article on the different diamond color grades, which suggested that different metal colors can influence diamond color. I mentioned this to a local jeweler, and he told me not to concern myself with such things, but then the appraiser that I spoke with indicated that this is something they take into account when appraising mounted diamonds. Now I don’t know who to believe, so I’m wondering your take on the subject. Does the color of the setting have any influence on diamond color?”

Mounting color affects diamond color:

Most independent gemologists and jewelry appraisers agree that the color of an engagement ring can affect our perception of diamond color by as much as one full color grade. Thus if you were to set this 1.065 carat, I-color, VS-2 clarity, Brian Gavin Signature round diamond in white gold or platinum prongs, it’s going to face-up whiter and brighter. Set the same diamond in yellow gold prongs, and it’s going to exhibit a hint of warmth. Set the diamond in pink rose gold, and it’s going to exhibit a hint of pink, but the effect is going to be quite subtle.

When you stop and think about it, diamonds are essentially a prism made up of a bunch of tiny mirrors. So they’re going to pick-up and reflect the color of everything that is in the room around you, but they’re especially going to reflect the color of whatever touches the side of the diamond. Thus the color of the prongs that hold the diamond in place, are likely to have more of an effect upon the appearance of the diamond, than the color of the ring itself.

What will your Brian Gavin Signature diamond look like set in Platinum, White gold, Yellow gold, or Rose gold:

effect-affect-setting-metal-color-diamond-appearance

Look closely at the center stone featured in each of these rings, and you’ll see that the center stone exhibits slight differences in hue and saturation. The diamond set in the platinum Kristin Split Shank Halo setting by Brian Gavin faces-up bright and white, the effect of the platinum reflecting throughout the diamond serves to make it appear whiter. Setting the diamond in 18k white gold will have the save effect.

Setting the diamond in the 18k yellow gold Kristin Split Shank Halo setting by Brian Gavin makes it look a little bit warmer, than the diamond appeared when set in white metal. And you can see that the diamond picked up just a hint of pink when set in the 18k rose gold Kristin Split Shank Halo setting by Brian Gavin. Once again, you can expect the color of your diamond to be affected by about one color grade once the diamond has been set in a ring.

Real World Lighting vs Photography Studio:

It should be noted that this effect is more visible in these photographs where the ring is isolated within a light controlled chamber, designed for the purpose of photographing jewelry. In real world circumstances, the diamond is also going to pick-up and reflect everything else that is present within the room, including all the different temperature of lights.

So I really wouldn’t get too caught up on the effect that the metal color of the setting is gong to have upon the appearance of your diamond, because there’s going to be a lot more things influencing your perception of diamond color. One thing that won’t change is the incredible sparkle factor of your Brian Gavin Signature round diamond! That is always going to look amazing, regardless of what color setting you prefer.

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