What affect does setting color have on diamond color?
Hi Danny, I’m researching diamonds online, in preparation of buying a diamond engagement ring, and read the following statement on another web site: "you might not want to put a truly colorless diamond in a yellow gold setting since the yellow color will reflect in the stone." Is this true? I’m considering several I-color, VS-2 clarity, Brian Gavin Signature round diamonds in the range of 1.20 carats, because that seems like the best balance of clarity, color, and carat weight for my budget, but I’m concerned that the diamond will look yellow if set in the 18k yellow gold 3 row domed pave solitaire. – Byron K.
How prong color affects diamond color:
It is generally understood throughout the gemological community, that the color of the metal which touches a diamond, will affect the color grade of the diamond by one color grade. For example, if you were to set this 1.214 carat, I-color, VS-2 clarity, Brian Gavin Signature round diamond in the 18k yellow gold 3 row domed pave solitaire which is pictured to the right in yellow gold, but which incorporates white gold or platinum prongs to hold the diamond center stone, the majority of people would perceive that the body color of the diamond as being H-color, because the color of the white metal prongs would reflect through the body of the stone.
Will setting a diamond in yellow gold make it look yellow?
On the same note, setting the same 1.214 carat, I-color, VS-2 clarity, Brian Gavin Signature round diamond in something like our 14k yellow gold full bezel ring, will make the diamond look more like a J-color, because the yellow gold is touching the diamond and thus the color will reflect throughout the diamond. Of course this is all relative, because the reality is that all sorts of colors will be present in the room when you are wearing your diamond, and the diamond will have a tendency to pick up all of those colors and reflect them, as well as whatever the color of the prongs or metal that holding the diamond in place happens to be…
But as a general rule of thumb, you can figure that the color of the metal touching the edge of a diamond, will raise or lower the perceived color grade by one level, with white metal prongs giving the diamond a slightly cooler appearance, and yellow gold giving it a slightly warmer appearance.
Arguably it is unlikely that the majority of people would be able to ascertain the difference of one color grade between diamonds, such as the difference in color between an H-color and I-color diamond, therefore I’m not sure that the potential affect of the color of the prongs which hold a diamond in place should take up much space in your mind.
However if it is a concept which you find troubling, simply select a setting which incorporates prongs which are made of white gold or platinum, you’ll notice that the majority of the settings which we offer feature white gold or platinum prongs, and this is because it has the tendency to make diamonds look whiter and brighter than they already are.
