This
month we focus on the most difficult
to understand diamond beauty factor;
Head Shadow and Contrast. When
you look at a diamond inevitably
your head will block some light
sources.
Head
Shadow To see a
diamond without head shadow,
peep at it through a small hole
in a sheet of
white paper. Take the paper
away and the presence of your
head makes some facets darker.
Diamonds with Ideal cut proportions
have an optimum amount of
darkness that is caused by'head
shadow'
Very
shallow
-
too many rays enter and leave
in the direction of your head
- when viewed close
up, your head blocks
some light sources
- dark patchy areas of head
shadow return less light
Very
deep
- rays enter and leave the
table in the direction of
your head
-
your head blocks light to
the table
- outer facets leak
- poor light return means
a smaller look
Idealor
Excellent
-
diamonds show a dark 'Hearts
and Arrows' star
-
the head shadow star
shows good cutting & optical
symmetry
Avoid
very deep & very shallow
diamonds.
Contrast
& Head Shadow
The head
shadow star adds
contrastand sparkle. Firey colors
also show up better in the
darker head shadow areas.
A chess board
has only ½ the light return of
white paper, but its greater contrast
makes it appear brighter, especially
when it moves.
Tip:
Set shallow diamonds in pendants
or earrings; People rarely get
close enough to cause bad head
shadow.
