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Even a diamond of exceptional color
and clarity will not exhibits its great
potential for beauty unless it is
masterfully cut to good proportions.
In a well cut diamond, all the light is
returned out of the top of the stone.
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What affects a diamond's beauty most? Cut.
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Of the 4Cs -- carat, cut, color and clarity –three are in the hands of nature, and one in the hands of the artisan: cut. Carat weight really has nothing to do with the beauty of a stone. Color and clarity are important. But even a diamond of exceptional color and clarity will not exhibits its great potential for beauty unless it is masterfully cut to good proportions with precise placement of the facets to ignite its fire, sparkle and brilliance. All 4Cs are graded by an independent gemological laboratory and recorded on the diamond certification . Each contributes to the overall market value of the stone, but when it comes to beauty, it's more about the cutthan the other three.
Remember that:
Color is the natural body color visible in a diamond and is determined completely by nature, not man.
Cut is the craftsmanship applied in cutting the facets of the stone to make the best use of light. Round diamonds, Princess cut diamonds, Emerald cut diamonds, Pear shaped diamonds, etc. are all diamond shapes. More on that below.
Clarity is an indication of a diamond's purity. The fewer inclusions(tiny traces of natural elements trapped inside), the better the clarity.
If you look at the chart above, you see that what you pay for in a diamond is: first, carat weight; second, clarity; and third, color. A well cut diamond will not cost you much more than one that is poorly cut. However, the most important factor in determining a diamond's beauty is how it is cut.
Shape is not cut
A common mistake people make is to think that the shape of a diamond is the cut. It's an easy mistake to make since you hear the term Emerald cut diamonds or Princess cut diamonds, but those are actually diamond shapes. Cut is really the craftsmanship applied in cutting and polishing the facets of a diamond. A good cut is also called a good “make” in the diamond trade.
A well cut diamond –regardless of its shape -- sparkles, has more fire and offers the greatest brilliance . If a stone is cut poorly, it will appear less valuable because it will lack fire, scintillation, brilliance and, therefore, beauty.
Here's why:
When a diamond is cut to good proportions, light is refracted from one facet to another, and then dispersed through the top of the diamond. When a diamond is cut too deep, some light escapes through the opposite side of the diamond. If the diamond is cut too shallow, light escapes through the bottom of the stone before it can be reflected. In addition, the facets must be placed with precise symmetry for maximum brilliance. More facets are not necessarily better. It is the placement of the facets that is most important.
So, before you purchase a diamond, look at the 4Cs to ensure that you are buying good quality at a fair price, but rely more than anything on a beautiful cut that releases a burst of brilliance.
Here's what you need to know to select a beautifully cut diamond.
Be informed. Know the 4 myths about diamond cuts so you can make an educated decision.
Diamond shapes –which one is she dreaming of? Round brilliant , princess cut diamonds , pear shaped diamonds , emerald cut diamonds , and heart brilliant diamonds . Some of the most popular cuts include radiant cut and princess cut diamonds.
Glossary of diamond terms .
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