DIAMOND CUT
What Is The Cut Of A Diamond?
Have you ever noticed how many surfaces a diamond has? A diamond’s cut refers to how well-proportioned the dimensions of a diamond are, and how these surfaces, or facets, are positioned to create sparkle and brilliance. For example, what is the ratio of the diamond’s diameter in comparison to its depth? These small, yet essential, factors determine the diamond’s beauty and price.
The Cut
This is the diamond and stone’s most important characteristic. You should aim to choose the highest cut that you are able to afford. The quality of cut ranks higher and takes precedent over any other quality category that a diamond possesses including color and clarity. The highest cut is the Ideal Cut; this reflects all of the light that enters the diamond. In terms of selecting the cut that is right for you, keep in mind that the better the cut the more sparkle.
It is important to know and realize that there are multiple facts in the stone that can vary from one cut to another. The exact measurements of the portion of the stone show whether or not the stone is able to sparkle, display flaws, exhibit color, and so forth so that you are able to consider which cuts emphasize different traits.
A prime example is both the Asscher Cut and Emerald cut diamond that is able to serve as an almost perfect stone. The contrary, pear and heart shaped diamonds have the tendency of reflecting light strangely because the cut is not symmetrical. Additionally; Cushion, Oval, and Marquise cuts are not very deep and therefore tend to be less expensive because they contain fewer carats.
Despite any cut that you may choose, this will intensely impact the beauty of your stone. That is why, again, this attribute of the stone is so important to take notice of. It is important to closely examine the stone prior to purchasing.
ABOUT THE DIAMOND CUTTER:
A diamond cutter builds his career years upon years; learning how to cut a rough diamond in order to achieve the greatest cut with the least imperfections and the least amount of loss in carat weight. As indicated before, the greater the cut, the greater the value of the stone.
FAIR
This cut allows the majority of light that enters the diamond to escape reducing the amount of brilliance that the diamond possesses.
IDEAL
This cut is one that we recommend as it serves as a style that is both well proportioned and carefully angled allowing it to possess a luminosity.
GOOD
Allows a significant amount of light to pass through the diamond and as oppose to a fair or poor cut some of the light does create brilliancy in the diamond.
VERY GOOD
This cut reflects a great amount of light increasing brilliance just below a cut of excellence. When viewed in normal lighting conditions this cut appears as the same caliber as Excellent, with a cheaper price for the customer.
EXCELLENT
This cut allows for the maximum amount of brilliance to be viewed in the diamond. This cut reflects almost the entirety of light that enters the diamond, which allows for maximum sparkle.
The Characteristics Of A Well-Cut Diamond Are Superior Brilliance, Fire, And Scintillation
Brilliance relates to the reflection of white light
Fire is the dispersion of light into the colors of the rainbow
Scintillation is the play of contrast between dark and light areas—it’s the sparkle
The Anatomy of a Diamond
Table: The largest facet of a gemstone
Crown: The top portion of a diamond extending from the girdle to the table
Girdle: The intersection of the crown and pavilion which defines the circumference of a diamond
Diameter: The measurement from one girdle edge of a diamond straight across to the opposing side
Pavilion: The bottom portion of a diamond, extending from the girdle to the culet
Culet: The facet at the tip of a gemstone. The preferred culet is not visible with the unaided eye (graded "none" or "small")
Depth: The height of a gemstone measured from the culet to the table
