best way to light and shoot diamonds

[DVXguy]

I'm going to shoot some diamonds for a local commercial.. Very hard to properly light diamonds.. is the idea to build a box out of foamcore and bounce the light?

 

[DCSensui]

For diamonds and other gems you need a small, bright point source.

For gold bands and other polished metallic surfaces you need a broad, soft source.

If your jewelry has both, then use both types of light sources. Bounce light off foamcore, or use a softbox to light the metal, then add a point source by punching a hole through the foamcore and sending a small light source through it. Or just suspend a small but bright light source in front of the softbox.

A small, bright LED might work for the point source.

 

[JasonFox]

I second the point sources for diamonds. There's a reason jewelry stores (well, nice ones at least) have all those little halogen low-voltage suckers hanging everywhere.