If you're looking to buy a diamond, the Diamond Cut should be prioritized among the 4C's of the diamond. Diamond Cut is more than just the shape, it is about how well its facets interact with light. The precision in the cut of your diamond maximizes its brilliance and fire.
Always aim for an Excellent Cut diamond, because this grade promises the best symmetry and proportions. Opting for the highest cut grade makes it appear more luminous and dramatically elevates your jewelry’s overall allure.
This guide explores the importance of diamond cut, the different cut grades, factors influencing the Diamond Cut, the insights on choosing the right cut and explains the difference between ‘diamond cut’ and ‘diamond shape’.
The following topics will be discussed in this article.
What is Diamond Cut
Ever wonder why some diamonds shine brighter than others?
It's all because of the Cut.
Diamond cut isn't just about the shape of the diamond. It's about how perfectly its facets catch and reflect light. Craftsmen meticulously shape each diamond, aiming for impeccable symmetry and proportions to maximize its sparkle.
Picture this: two diamonds, that seem similar in size, color, and clarity. But one has a Good cut, while the other, an Excellent cut. And when you look closer—really close—the difference is crystal clear.
That's the magic of the cut.
Cut is one of the diamond's four key qualities, known as the 4Cs. It's graded from 'Excellent' down to 'Poor,' with online sellers typically steering clear of anything below 'Good.' Among the 4Cs, cut reigns supreme, dictating the diamond's brilliance and allure. So, when it comes to choosing the perfect diamond, remember: It's all in the cut.
Different Diamond Cut Grades
These three images illustrate how light behaves in different diamond cuts, showcasing why cut reigns supreme in reflecting light inside the diamond's facets and creating that mesmerizing brilliance.
Understanding diamond cut means unlocking the secret to its brilliance. It's not just science; it's an art, balancing dimensions, polish, depth, and symmetry to perfection.
These elements harmonize to create the diamond's dazzling sparkle. Among the 4Cs of diamond quality, the cut holds the utmost importance, dictating how light dances within the diamond.
From the expert eyes of GIA gemologists, diamonds are graded into categories like Poor, Fair, Good, Very Good and Excellent each offering its own level of brilliance.
An Excellent cut is like a beacon of light, radiating with unparalleled sparkle. Very Good cut is almost as brilliant, providing exceptional fire and brilliance. But beware the lower grades—Fair and Poor cuts lose their sparkle, with light escaping from the sides and bottom.
Let's take a closer look at each of the cut grades.
1. Poor:
These diamonds rank lowest in quality, often lacking brilliance and fire due to poor proportions that reflect minimal light, resulting in a dull appearance. Typically, they're either too deep or shallow, causing light to escape from the sides or bottom of the diamond. While the likelihood of encountering these diamonds is uncertain, reputable online diamond retailers like Blue Nile and James Allen do not sell any poorly cut diamonds.
2. Fair:
Fair-cut diamonds, though not the poorest quality, have limited sparkle due to their subpar cut. Slightly better than poor, they show some sparkle but fail to achieve full light reflection. It's rare to find fair-cut diamonds in reputable online stores, and if you encounter one locally, always verify the diamond certificates before making a purchase decision. Fair-cut diamonds could be an acceptable option for smaller carats or for serving as side stones.
3. Good:
These diamonds are moderately well-cut, retaining their beauty and quality despite not reflecting all incoming light. While they may not reflect all incoming light into a diamond, they still hold value and are not considered cheap. Although available on most online platforms in limited options, we wouldn't recommend this grade for optimal brilliance.
4. Very Good:
These diamonds are expertly cut to radiate abundant sparkle, nearly reaching the stone's full potential. They reflect almost all incoming light, offering a balance between quality and affordability. 'Very Good' cut diamonds are renowned for their impressive brilliance and fire.
We consider this grade to be the most budget-friendly option, although it's still relatively expensive. While we typically advise aiming for excellent (ideal) cuts even for lower carat weights, many opt for Very Good cut diamonds due to their cost-effectiveness.
5. Excellent:
Excellent/Ideal cut is undoubtedly the finest Diamond Cut available!
Always prioritize an ideal cut, even if it means sacrificing on carat weight. These diamonds set the highest standard, crafted with precision to achieve maximum brilliance and fire. They reflect nearly all incoming light into a diamond, resulting in an exceptional sparkle.
Diamonds with this cut are top-of-the-line, offering unmatched beauty and quality.
Online diamond stores typically use Ideal and Excellent as equivalent terms. When it comes to Diamond Certification, AGS (American Gem Society) considers Ideal as a grade above Excellent, while GIA (Gemological Institute of America) considers Excellent to be the highest Cut grade and does not define any grade higher than Excellent.
So, when it comes to choosing the perfect diamond, remember: it's all about the cut. Opt for excellence and let your diamond shine bright like the star it is.
Shallow vs Ideal vs Deep cut
As given in the image above, if a diamond is cut too deep, light escapes through the opposite side, whereas a too shallow cut lets light escape through the bottom, missing the chance to reflect. Although a shallow diamond may seem larger from above, it's not about size but how light dances within the diamond, so prioritize an excellent cut over size. The Ideal cut displayed here refers to the most common Excellent cut.
Factors influencing the Diamond Cut
When it comes to unraveling the worth of a diamond, the cut grade takes center stage—it's the most important among the 4Cs. It's not merely about the diamond's shape; it's a mirror reflecting its overall proportions, symmetry, and its dance with light.
The key components defining a diamond's cut grade are: Proportions, Symmetrical Facets, Brilliance, Fire, and Scintillation. Understanding these elements offers a deeper appreciation of what makes a diamond truly shine, unveiling the meticulous craftsmanship behind each sparkling facet.
From its proportions to finishing details, every element impacts a diamond's ability to reflect light. The higher these attributes are, the greater the diamond's quality and price tag. While color and clarity add to a diamond's beauty, it's the cut that reigns supreme among the 4Cs of the diamond.
Let's take a closer look at the factors influencing the diamond cut grade.
1. Diamond Proportions
Exploring the dimensions of a diamond's proportions is key to understanding its cut quality. Specifically, the table, width, and depth play crucial roles in determining a diamond's ability to reflect light and provide brilliance. These proportions, dictated by the ratios between size, angle, and shape of each facet, significantly impact how the diamond interacts with light, thus influencing its overall beauty and appeal (and its GIA grading). It's important to note that different diamond shapes entail different proportions.
Diamond Table
The diamond's table is the flat top surface, and is pivotal for light reflection. It is highly critical that the table's size be relative to the diamond's diameter. A well-proportioned table ensures ideal light dispersion, elevating the diamond's sparkle.
The table percentage of an Excellent cut round diamond needs to be between 53% - 58%.
Here's how you can calculate the table percentage, measure the width of the table facet (from one edge to the opposite edge) and divide it by the average diameter of the diamond (the average distance across the widest part of the diamond). Then, multiply the result by 100 to express it as a percentage.
For example, if the table width is 4.5 millimeters and the average diameter of the diamond is 9 millimeters, the table percentage would be (4.5 / 9) * 100 = 50%.
Diamond Width
The width, often associated with the girdle—the diamond's widest part—is essential for achieving overall balance and symmetry. A well-proportioned width ensures effective light absorption and reflection, elevating the diamond's brilliance and fire. This means that the diamond appears perfectly round when viewed from above, with its length and width being equal.
For an excellent cut round diamond, which is typically intended to have a symmetrical and well-proportioned round shape, the ideal length to width ratio is 1.00.
The length to width ratio of a diamond is a measure of how elongated or square-shaped the diamond appears when viewed from above. It is calculated by dividing the length of the diamond (the longest dimension from one end to the other) by its width (the widest dimension perpendicular to the length).
For example, if the length of the diamond is 6.5 millimeters and the width is also 6.5 millimeters, the length to width ratio would be 6.5 / 6.5 = 1.00, indicating a perfectly round shape.
Diamond Depth
Depth proportion refers to the diamond's height from its table to its culet (bottom point). This is vital for achieving optimal light reflection and refraction within the diamond. Excessive depth or shallowness may result in light leakage, diminishing the diamond's brilliance and fire. Maintaining proper depth proportion ensures that light traverses the diamond correctly, enhancing its overall sparkle.
The total depth percentage of a diamond is the ratio of the depth of the diamond (measured from the table to the culet) to its average diameter.
The depth percentage of an Excellent cut round diamond needs to be between 59% - 62.5%.
To calculate the total depth percentage, measure the depth of the diamond (from the table to the culet) and divide it by the average diameter of the diamond. Then, multiply the result by 100 to express it as a percentage.
For example, if the depth of the diamond is 5 millimeters and the average diameter is 10 millimeters, the total depth percentage would be (5 / 10) * 100 = 50%.
2. Symmetrical Diamond
The facets of a diamond are the small, flat, polished surfaces on a diamond's exterior that serve as mirrors, reflecting and refracting light to create its brilliance and sparkle. These facets encompass the diamond's table, extending both above and below the girdle, culminating in the pavilion at its base. In a typical round brilliant cut diamond, one can find a total of 58 such facets. The magic lies in their precise symmetry, size, and strategic placement. Any deviation in alignment or size can significantly diminish the diamond's ability to refract and reflect light effectively. Thus, achieving the right balance and symmetry of facets is crucial for unlocking the diamond's desired brilliance, ensuring it sparkles to its full potential.
3. Brilliance
Brilliance in a diamond refers to the brightness of the white light it reflects when viewed face-up under light. A well-cut diamond should exhibit an abundance of white light reflection, resulting in a dazzling appearance. This phenomenon occurs as light enters the diamond and bounces between its mirror-like facets, creating a continuous sparkle. However, diamonds that lack symmetry or are cut too deep or shallow may appear dull instead of brilliant. Ideally, a high-quality diamond will reflect all incoming light as white, resulting in a luminous and radiant appearance.
4. Fire
Fire in a diamond refers to the colorful light that reflects off its table and facets when viewed face-up under light, particularly in daylight. Excellent cut diamonds exhibit both brilliance and fire, with colored light bouncing off the diamond's surface.
This phenomenon occurs when light penetrates the diamond's crown, bouncing internally and producing a myriad of colors. When you observe the rainbow-like reflection from a diamond, you're witnessing dispersion or fire. As light enters the diamond, it breaks down into spectral colors and reflects within the gem's interior before exiting through the crown as an independent beam, flashing in various colors to the viewer's eye.
5. Scintillation
Scintillation, often referred to as the diamond's sparkle, is the mesmerizing flashes of light that dance across its table and facets when moved under light. These twinkling reflections occur due to the interplay of light and dark areas on the diamond's surface, creating a captivating light symphony. A diamond with abundant scintillation is highly coveted for its dynamic play of light, while one lacking in scintillation may appear dull. Scintillation becomes evident when the diamond is moved, revealing a spectrum of reflecting colors. A well-cut diamond retains its brilliance even as it moves, ensuring a continuous and enchanting display of light.
Referring to a 1 Carat Diamond by Cut Grade
The value of a diamond is primarily determined by the four Cs: Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat weight, alongside the diamond's shape. However, the cut of the diamond plays a significant role in its overall brilliance and price. We have sourced the pricing data from some of the most reputable and sought after brands in the diamond industry, James Allen, Blue Nile and Brilliant earth.
Good Cut Grade Price Range:
Diamonds with a Good cut grade typically fall within the price range of $2640 to $4960, showcasing how the cut influences the diamond's overall brilliance.
Very Good Cut Grade Price Range:
For diamonds with a Very Good cut grade, prices rise to between $2390 and $6200, reflecting the enhanced quality and brilliance that result from a better cut.
Excellent Cut Grade Price Range:
Diamonds with an Excellent cut grade showcase the highest level of craftsmanship, providing unmatched sparkle and beauty. Therefore, diamonds in this grade are priced between $2670 and $6400. These diamonds are premier choices for you, if you are seeking the highest quality.
This price range highlights how the cut grade, along with color, clarity, and carat weight, can greatly affect the overall price of a diamond.
Insights on Choosing the Right Cut
When considering the cut, it's essential to invest more in higher quality and aim for the highest cut grade within your budget.
Choosing the perfect diamond involves understanding its artistry, with the cut playing a central role in its beauty. Here's a guide to making an informed decision focusing on the diamond's cut:
- Familiarize Yourself with diamond Cut Grades: Begin by acquainting yourself with the various cut grades – Poor, Fair, Good, Very Good, and Excellent – each representing the diamond's ability to reflect light and sparkle.
- Prioritize Brilliance and Fire: Opt for diamonds with exceptional brilliance and fire, indicative of a superior cut.
- Evaluate Proportions and Symmetry: Assess the diamond's proportions and symmetry, vital for optimal light reflection and overall aesthetics.
- Review Certifications: Look for diamonds certified by renowned institutions like the GIA or AGS, providing detailed cut quality information.
- Visual Inspection: If feasible, visually examine the diamond or utilize high-quality imaging tools to evaluate its sparkle and appeal.
- Seek Expert Advice: Don't hesitate to consult experienced jewelers or gemologists who can offer guidance on diamonds tailored to your preferences and budget.
Remember, the diamond's cut significantly influences its overall allure, making it a crucial factor in your selection journey.
Diamond Cut vs Diamond Shapes
Both diamond cut and diamond shape contribute to a diamond's overall appearance, but they serve different purposes. A common misconception arises when people confuse one for the other.
While diamond cut focuses on the technical aspects affecting light reflection and brilliance, diamond shape is solely about the physical form or appearance of the stone.
Diamond Cut: The cut of a diamond refers to its proportions, symmetry, and polish, which directly influence its ability to reflect light and sparkle. It's essentially about the craftsmanship applied to shaping the diamond, determining its brilliance, fire, and overall visual appeal.
Diamond Shape: On the other hand, diamond shape refers to the outline or silhouette of the stone when viewed from above. It encompasses popular shapes like round, princess, cushion, emerald, pear, marquise, oval, and heart, among others. Shape is purely aesthetic and doesn't directly impact the diamond's light performance, although certain shapes may appear to sparkle more due to their cut quality.
In essence, both elements contribute uniquely to a diamond's beauty, allowing individuals to express their personal style and preferences through their choice of shape and cut.
D for D recommendations in choosing the best cut
- Ensure the diamond you're buying has the appropriate proportions for Table % and Depth %.
- Avoid diamonds with excessive depth or shallowness, as they may not refract light effectively.
- Always aim for the highest cut grade within your budget.
- Opt for diamonds with even symmetry, well-proportioned facets, and minimal dark inclusions.
- For exceptional brilliance and beauty, select a round diamond.