Round Brilliant Cut Diamond is Here

I started this blog because people wanted to know what I am working on at any given moment. This morning I finished the untextured, unscripted, pure prim Round Brilliant Cut Diamond.

I believe diamonds are not dead and stagnant crystals, but in the light should be alive, even in Second Life. So I spent a couple of weeks experimenting with refraction, such as is possible in the Second Life environment.

Shown are multiple variations. The diamond, on the bottom right is a 24 prims, 25 facets (including the table), brilliant cut white with an approximate 33 degree pavilion. I do need to upload some means of exactly measuring degrees of angle and add it to my jewelers ruler.

The Brilliant White is copied up and colored to a sapphire with the same stats. This picture was taken at sunset, as evidenced by onyx background I used, but also as seen in the reflection within the gem itself. I like how the sapphire and the diamond each have their own way of coloring the light coming from them. This is the SL equivalent of refraction. In the diamond the sunset is orange, in the sapphire it is appropriately purple.

The ruby to the left in the photo is a modified brilliant with the same stats except the pavilion is at 45 degrees. I am experimenting to find the optimum pavilion angle for the SL environment and suspect, after seeing the depth of this ruby, it will differ with the type of gemstone. I am floored by the ruby and how it treats the same sunset light.

The amethyst is a different gem altogether. In physical life the brilliant cut is an 8 sided cut, as with the other brilliants shown in the photo. This amethyst is a 16 sided cut, consists of a 45 degree pavilion, 33 facets (including the table), and 48 prims.

What these diamonds do not share in common with physical life is the girdle. I did make one with a girdle but, frankly it was ugly. It is a case of too many prims spoiling the light. I believe the level of detail available to us in Second Life today is not adequate for girdling a diamond. In 10 years or so I'll put another one together, or if significant environmental upgrades are made. I think we're still living in the original environment, as beautiful as it can be, but without upgrades.

There are two other cuts I need to complete before I move on and turn them into my phase 2 jewelry, unless someone changes my direction, which has happened in the past. Those are the emerald cut, which is about half complete, and a teardrop crystal cut, which I haven't started. I am very much looking forward to the arrival of the teardrop crystal cut. For those familiar with my phase one, special limited pearl necklace and set called The Gatsby, imagine soon - this year - The *Great* Gatsby with the new gems. My day, that day, will be filled with unimaginable glee.

The Gatsby as she is today.