scooter1 Loc: Yacolt, Wa.

I have some loose diamonds I'm going to sell but when I photograph them they don't sparkle. When I look at them with the naked eye I see the sparkle but when I photograph them the photos are dull and boring. They don't show the sparkle. Does anyone here know what I can do to show these sparkling diamonds sparkle? I've tried under a bright light and with the flash but it still comes out dull. I put them on black velvet also but no luck.

jim quist Loc: Missouri

User ID

You hafta use a dual lighting set up. First you light them like glassware, plenty of info available on that. But you hafta add small bright pin lights that make the sparkles. You’ll hafta move these around while watching for the sparkles. Unless you have a whole bunch of lights you may be better of shooting the “glassware” shot and then each of multiple sparkle shots all separately and using them as layers in post.

You can get to far shining light ONTO glassware as if it were pottery. You light up a bright environment that is refracted by the glass, through the glass. Likewise the sparkles, but thaz reflection instead of refraction.

If you think in those terms you’ll develop some feel for creating the illuminated environment. You actual subject objects can be thought of as invisible, like air. Only what is refracted and reflected by your special “solid air” will create an image. It has no opaque surface to wash with light like a face or a wooden carving.

It’s tricky til you get a feel for it. Think of a cut glass fruit bowl, only tiny. If you have such a bowl in can teach you things more easily. Then you hafta miniaturize the whole game.

The diamond facets are angled to be admired at “comfortable reading distance. Try to use that approximately that distance even if it requires severe cropping.

KindaSpikey Loc: English living in San Diego

You should be able to get yourself a "lightbox" for jewelry with built-in sparkle led lights. They are easy to find on-line, and Inexpensive. They are also easy to use, (lots of info on Google). Don't use the built-in flash, or on - camera flash. If you can't get a light box, use a variable brightness light at around 45° from the gems and adjust the position /brightness, while looking through the viewfinder or the rear screen until you achieve the "sparkle" you want. Try experimenting with 2 separate light sources (1 hard and 1 soft). Again, don't use the flash, it's way too harsh. Good luck.

KindaSpikey Loc: English living in San Diego

While I was writing my suggestions, User ID wrote his. He actually explained it way better than I did! Lol I think if you take advice from several of us and play around with it, you should be on the right track.

Wallen Loc: Middle Earth

What works for me:

1. I use at least 2 sources of constant on light, not flash. A main light and a fill.
Best position is from the sides and slightly high, not from the same direction as the camera.
2. Do not use too much light and burn highlight. It's better to use long exposure & tripod.
3. I look into live view and adjust items position. Use something to hold it in place or adjust light position to get the best sparkle.
4. I use a dedicated macro lens or a long lens (at least 140mm). This creates a flat image and predictable reflection/sparkle from the item.
5. Single point focus
6. Stacking focus to get more depth
7. Take as sharp as possible image. Sharpness & contrast creates the best sparkle.
8. Edit the photo. Get the best photo possible but also edit afterwards to make it pop even more.

Things to consider.
1. Clean the items before taking photo. Make it look its best. Is hard to edit dust & fingerprints out.
2. Be careful of reflections. Oftentimes you will see yourself or stuffs around you in the item and may need to be edited out.
3. The color of light and the background the the item is resting on will affect the reflections. A colored background may be used to enhance the stone, then edited out. Replace with black background.
4. Sharpness & Contrast does a lot to make a jewelry look awesome. Try to find the right balance of this in taking the picture and in editing.
5. If using a lightbox, try having one of the panels (the base or the back wall or front wall) provide some contrast.
6. Use Low ISO. Base ISO if possible.


Hope this helps.

KindaSpikey Loc: English living in San Diego

Great advice Wallen.

User ID

Oooopzz! SERIOUSLY BAD TYPO !!!!

Second word below, says “can” ... should be “can’t”.

You can get too far shining light ONTO glassware as if it were pottery. You light up a bright environment that is refracted by the glass, through the glass. Likewise the sparkles, but thaz reflection instead of refraction.

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

Thank you so much for sharing your thoughtful experience here Wallen...
Those stunning images speak reams to your worth and credibility on lighting diamonds...

I for one struggle with jewelry owing to the complexity it brings to the table.
Still endeavoring to effectively deploy gobos and cutters, (or cookies and flags).
Albeit I have found snoots for "rim lights" actually are great for eliminating contrast killing flare.

Again excellent well organized synopsis Wallen. You have wonderful communication skills for providing knowledge base transfer. UHH members are fortunate to have folks like you aboard.

Kudos and all the best on your journey... Cheers!

KindaSpikey Loc: English living in San Diego

I completely agree with Thomas. Nice work Wallen!

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

These links might help.

http://photography.tutsplus.com/tutorials/how-to-photograph-coins-with-dramatic-low-key-lighting--cms-23432
http://www.thephotoargus.com/tips/rings-things-or-jewelry-photography-tips/

R.G. Loc: Scotland

I've seen others advise that halogen lights are good for photographing gems.

Paul Diamond Loc: Atlanta, GA, USA

So far, no responses talk to what I'm about to share with you. A SLR is almost mandatory. You need to see and focus on exactly what you will be shooting. A macro lens will allow you to get close with a flat field result.

Photographing loose diamonds or other faceted gemstones are extremely difficult. The general lighting should be shadowless or as close to it as you can achieve. This is why you should use a lightbox. Your gemstones can't lie on a piece of fabric or etc. without looking more like roadkill or a bit of gravel. And, you need to do something that is repeatable, since you have a number of gemstones to post and sell. Do NOT get a cheap lightbox with built in LED light strips. Terrible for jewelry and gems.

Next, one of the most important parts. Look for a sparkle light that is made for gem photography. You should choose all lights to be the same color temperature. I use 5500-5600 degrees K. It mimics daylight and is a worldwide standard for studio photography. With flat lighting from the top and both sides, your camera must be on a tripod that is sturdy enough to dampen the vibration of the camera making a picture (mirror slap, etc.). Look through the camera viewfinder and hold the sparkle light in one hand. Move the light right-left and up-down watching for the sparkle you want in your diamond or diamonds. Use the other hand to take the picture.

Most photos you see from vendors and wholesalers are made with specialized equipment that shoots very close to the jewelry or gem and is completely repeatable for taking a number of photos of different pieces. You can't afford this setup unless you have decided to dedicate yourself to making this a career move and the main thing you will photograph to earn a living.

And, yes, I have experience as well as some general studio training. The 17 years of shooting and selling loose stones and jewelry has proven to be more of a challenge than I ever expected. Each gemstone has different 'requirements' of how to best shoot it to sell it.

Lastly, the issue of 'timing' must be addressed. Covid has made selling any gemstone, diamond, collectible, etc. difficult. Most customers have withdrawn from continuing to be active buyers. The active buyers tend to be much fewer and picky. They expect a 'bargain.' And they usually know the value and bargain pricing by comparison shopping and online research. Wait on any discretionary market item if you possibly can. I'd wait until at least 6 months after the declared 'recovery' for the economy from the influence of Covid. Diamonds are in an oversupply condition. More are being mined annually than all sales channels can handle. Am I discouraging you at this time? I'm trying to.

And, a lot of the final picture you see from your competitors are created with experienced post processing retouchers, usually with photoshop. Increasing sharpness/contrast are typically done. You can see diamond jewelry retouching videos on youtube.

jeweler53

"Cob" lights are sources of many individual lights. The more light sources you have the higher the chance of catching a sparkle. If the lights are dimmable even better. You don't want lots of light, you want lots of reflections. (or technically refractions. )

jeweler53

"Cob" lights are sources of many individual lights. The more light sourses you have the higher the chance of catching a sparkle. If the lights are dimmable even better. You don't want lots of light, you want lots of reflections. (or technically refractions. )