Maximising Sparkle: How to Choose a Diamond That Looks Bigger Than Its Carat Weight
An engagement ring is a symbol of love, and naturally, you want it to make a statement. But how do you achieve maximum impact without breaking the bank? At Morgan & Co, your trusted Sunshine Coast jeweller, we understand that bigger isn't always about carat weight. With the right cut, shape, and setting, you can choose a diamond that appears significantly larger than its actual size, ensuring you get the most brilliance for your budget.
1. Prioritise Cut Over Carat: The Key to Brilliance
The cut of a diamond is paramount in determining its visual impact. A well-cut stone reflects light beautifully, creating the illusion of a larger, more radiant diamond.
- For round diamonds, look for "Excellent" or "Ideal" cut grades.
- For fancy shapes like oval and pear, opt for shallow yet well-proportioned cuts.
- Maximise the table size, as a larger table gives the impression of a bigger diamond.
At Morgan & Co, we understand the nuances of diamond cutting. Our personalised diamond buying process allows us to hand-select stones that maximise brilliance, ensuring you get the most sparkle for your investment, right here on the Sunshine Coast.
2. Choose the Right Shape: Surface Area Matters
Certain diamond shapes have a larger surface area per carat, making them appear bigger than round diamonds of the same weight.
- Oval: Its elongated shape creates a larger presence on the finger.
- Pear: The tapered point adds length and visual impact.
- Marquise: Maximises spread with its long, narrow silhouette.
- Emerald & Radiant: Their large tables enhance perceived size.
As your custom jeweller, we can guide you through the various shapes, helping you choose one that best suits your partner's style and maximises the diamond's visual impact.
3. Opt for a Thin Band and Minimal Prongs: Let the Diamond Shine
A delicate band and setting can make your diamond appear more prominent.
- Choose thin, tapered bands to create contrast and highlight the stone.
- Opt for claw prongs rather than bulky settings that obscure the diamond.
- Consider bezel settings that frame and enhance the stone's outline.
At Morgan & Co., we specialise in creating settings that complement your chosen diamond, ensuring it takes centre stage.
4. Go for a Halo Setting: Amplify the Sparkle
Adding a halo of smaller diamonds around the centre stone can significantly increase its perceived size and brilliance. A hidden halo adds dimension, making the ring appear more substantial.
As your custom jeweller, Sunshine Coast, we can design a halo setting that perfectly complements your chosen diamond, adding extra sparkle and presence.
5. Opt for a Bright White Metal: Enhance the Diamond's Brilliance
Platinum or white gold settings create a seamless look between the diamond and its setting, making the stone appear larger. If you prefer yellow or rose gold, consider a white gold basket under the diamond to enhance brightness.
Our expertise allows us to recommend the perfect metal to enhance your diamond's beauty, ensuring it shines its brightest.
6. Keep the Diamond Clean: Maintain the Sparkle
A diamond covered in oils or dirt will appear smaller and duller. Regular cleaning, whether at home or professionally, ensures maximum sparkle and perceived size.
At Morgan & Co., we provide guidance on diamond care, helping you keep your ring looking its best.
Bigger Look, Same Budget: The Morgan & Co. Promise
By choosing the right cut, shape, and setting, you can achieve a diamond that looks larger than its carat weight without the additional cost. At Morgan & Co., we specialise in designing rings that maximise beauty and presence, ensuring your diamond has the impact you're looking for.
Our personalised diamond buying process sets us apart. We don't just pick any diamond; we carefully select each stone, ensuring it meets our high standards of quality and brilliance. This allows us to find the perfect diamond for your budget, right here on the Sunshine Coast.
Ready to create a ring that makes a statement? Book a consultation with us at Morgan & Co and explore your options with our expert designers. Let us help you find the perfect diamond that shines, no matter the budget.
The Oval Diamond Bowtie Effect — What Is It & How Do I Avoid It?
An oval diamond bow tie refers to a pair of black triangles visible across the middle of the diamond. To ensure your oval diamond doesn’t display this characteristic of a poorly cut stone, there are a few considerations to keep in mind.
Oval diamonds are captivating gems but come with their own set of unique qualities. Before delving into the specifics of how a bow tie forms in an oval diamond, let’s take a moment to appreciate the oval cut itself. Ovals are currently in the spotlight, experiencing a surge in popularity unlike any other cut. Currently they stand as one of the top choices for engagement rings, and rightfully so. Their elongated shape offers a refreshing departure from the traditional round brilliant. Ovals create the illusion of elongated fingers and impart an additional touch of sophistication to a classic solitaire setting. Additionally, ovals tend to appear larger than round diamonds of the same carat weight due to their spread-out, shallower profile. Furthermore, they often come at a slightly lower cost per carat compared to rounds, allowing for a larger appearance within a given budget. With so many appealing attributes, it’s no surprise they have garnered such widespread acclaim.
Unfortunately, choosing an oval diamond presents more challenges than selecting a round brilliant diamond. The complexity arises from what's referred to as the "oval diamond bow tie" effect. However, if you're willing to invest additional time, patience, and effort, the oval cut might be the ideal choice for you. There are numerous pitfalls when it comes to choosing the right oval diamond, with the most common mistake being the bow tie effect. So, what exactly is this effect? Why is it undesirable? And how can you ensure that your oval diamond is free from it? Do all oval diamonds exhibit this feature? Read on and we will answer all of these questions for you in our detailed blog covering all things oval diamonds and bowties!
What is an Oval Diamond Bow Tie?
A bow tie is a dark area that extends across the diamond, resembling a bow tie. Ovals, pears, and marquise diamonds all exhibit this characteristic to varying degrees. A prominent, dark bow tie is undesirable as it can diminish the diamond's overall appearance. While not the sole indicator of an oval diamond's quality, it is often the most noticeable. Bow ties can be elusive. They appear differently in various lighting conditions, rooms, and angles, whether the diamond is mounted or unmounted. At times, they are clearly visible, while at others, they seem to disappear.
What Causes the Oval Diamond Bow Tie?
In poorly cut round diamonds, light leakage occurs, resulting in reduced sparkle because the facets fail to reflect light effectively. In the case of ovals, the bow tie effect is caused by light obstruction, creating a significant shadow that reflects back toward the observer. Surprisingly, the obstruction originates from the body and head of the viewer themselves. This occurs due to the angles of the facets and their light reflection properties, preventing light from penetrating the oval diamond and causing the bow tie effect. So, if you find yourself wanting to part ways with your oval diamond, you can truthfully say, "It's not you, it's me."
Can the Bow Tie Be Eliminated?
Yes and no. Removing a bow tie from an oval diamond isn't simple and involves compromises. If it were easy and cost-effective, all ovals would be cut to the same ideal standard and graded accordingly. However, the truth is that each oval is cut to maximise the carat weight from the rough diamond it originates from. Despite common belief, the GIA (Gemological Institute of America) doesn't have specific standards for determining a good, very good, ideal, or in this case, bow-tie-less cut. Diamond cutters continuously explore methods to minimise the bow tie effect. However, widening or deepening the cut of an oval diamond can reduce the bow tie's prominence, but this may require compromising on the diamond's perfect ratio or settling for a diamond that appears smaller when viewed from the top.
Contact our bespoke team at our Sunshine Coast Jewellery Studio to book your complementary consultation and view a range of oval cut diamonds.
Are Bow Ties Present in All Ovals?
Bow ties are quite common, and virtually all oval diamonds exhibit some degree of a bow tie effect. Surprisingly, a minimal bow tie can actually enhance a diamond's appearance. How so? Here's where it gets nuanced. Contrast plays a pivotal role in diamond aesthetics. A balance of deep shadows and bright highlights adds to the diamond's allure and visual depth. A diamond devoid of any dark areas might appear lackluster. However, excessive contrast, such as a thick, dark line across the center of the diamond, is undesirable. So, while a certain level of contrast is desirable, a pronounced, uninterrupted black feature is not.
How to Ensure Your Diamond Doesn't Have a Prominent Bow Tie
The most reliable method to ensure your diamond doesn't feature a noticeable bow tie is by working closely with an expert to find and select the perfect stone. Our team can assist you in sourcing and evaluating diamonds, regardless of your location. Schedule a complimentary consultation online to start your search today. We advise against browsing on your own and purchasing your diamond online, regardless of it's shape. Our team can work with you in studio or virtually and source your diamond for you, your specifications and your budget.
Book your complementary consultation here — we can't wait to meet you!
— Morgan xo
Customise Your Romance: Remodel Your Existing Engagement Ring to Reflect Your Current Style
At Morgan & Co, we understand that modifying an engagement ring can feel like a delicate dance.
This precious piece of jewellery isn't just about sparkle and shine; it's steeped in sentimentality and memories too. The thought of altering your treasured token might seem daunting. After all, how do you balance the desire for change with preserving its sentimental value? But here's the good news: modifying an engagement ring doesn't mean erasing its history. Instead, it’s about breathing new life into something that already holds so much meaning to you.
In this blog, we will be tackling the reasons why you might want to modify your ring, and ways you can do it while reserving its sentimental value.