When you think of diamonds, it is natural to think of stunning cuts that enhance their beauty. And with so many different designs and cuts in the market, the options have also increased by manifolds. But with varied options comes a lot of confusion. In this article, we will explore different diamond cuts and how to check the diamond cut quality.
The difference between a rough, uncut diamond and a carefully cut and polished diamond is stark. A proper diamond-cut requires expert craftsmanship and precision and is the key to increasing the appeal of diamond jewelry. That is why the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) considers diamond-cut among its primary parameters of assessing diamonds.
What is a diamond cut, and how does it affect a diamond’s value?
The proportions of a diamond cut determine the angle at which light enters the diamond. If the light does not enter at the best angle, the diamond will not reflect light properly. This will result in a dark and dull appearance, which in turn will decrease the diamond value.
A good diamond cut makes optimum use of the light which enters it. The craftsmen take special care to cut and shape the diamond in such a way so as to enhance the facets and the light and dark areas. This contrast enhances the sharpness and clarity of the diamond, giving it a crisp and neat look.
Based on the shape given to a diamond, names have been assigned to them. You may have heard of a princess cut diamond, cushion cut diamond, or an emerald cut diamond. The various shapes that are given to diamonds greatly affect their price based on what look is currently trending.
Parts of a diamond:
To understand diamond cut, it is best to be acquainted with the basic parts of a diamond:
Girdle:
This is the outer edge or diameter of the diamond. A well-cut diamond can be judged by looking at the thickness of the girdle. Ideally, the girdle should be of proportional thickness to the size of the stone. Therefore, it should not be too thick or too thin. Additionally, the girdle should also be even throughout. Otherwise, the diamond will appear deformed.
Culet:
The culet refers to the flat portion of the diamond at the very bottom. Ideally, a culet should be very small. Many diamond cuts may not have a culet altogether.
Table:
The diamond table refers to the flat surface at the top of the diamond. Since we look at any diamond from the top angle through the table, it needs to be well cut and polished. A right balance of percentage between the table and depth needs to be maintained for a diamond cut to sparkle well.
Depth:
It is the distance between the table and the culet, i.e., the top and bottom of the diamond. The girdle divides the depth. Its depth reveals the weight of any diamond. As a result, a good depth percent should be maintained for the overall aesthetic appearance of the diamond.
Components of a diamond cut according to GIA
To check the quality of a diamond cut, GIA diamonds cut grade consists of 7 factors. Of these, the weight ratio, durability, symmetry, and polish assess the diamond’s craftsmanship.
The most important of these seven factors are:
Fire:
This refers to the flashes of light that occur due to the prismatic effect occurring within the diamond.
Brightness:
Refers to the white light reflection, both internal and external, of the diamond.
Scintillation:
Highlights the contrasting light and dark areas so that each facet is clearly visible, giving the diamond a crisp appearance.
[greeting]Popular diamond cuts and shapes:
While selling Diamond jewelry, especially diamond rings, no longer has the regular round-shaped diamonds as the center stone. These have a name of their own due to their unique shapes. Let’s have a look at the most classic diamond cuts:
Princess cut diamond:
The most popular choice for engagement rings, the Princess cut is elegant and sophisticated. Its square shape looks neat and crisp. Complex layers are cut into the stone, making it resemble an inverted pyramid when viewed from the side. It is deserving noting that Princess cut diamonds are cheaper than round cut diamonds. The reason is that the rough diamond has been used more efficiently, and very little of the stone has wasted during the cutting process of Princess cuts.
Emerald cut diamond:
The brilliant emerald cut ring is a rarity. An emerald cut diamond requires extreme precision in its craftsmanship. The result is the sharp, chiseled appearance of the rectangular diamonds that sit on your fingers. Emerald cuts in diamonds have highly coveted due to their rarity and the concentric, rectangular faceted cut.
Cushion cut diamond:
Unlike the Princess cut diamond which has sharp corners, the Cushion cut features square or rectangular diamonds with rounded corners. This gives it a somewhat soft appearance, resembling a pillow or cushion – hence its name. Cushion cuts are an extremely popular choice because they are less prone to damage and sparkle brilliantly.
Assher cut diamond:
Blending the classic cuts of the Princess and Emerald style diamonds, the Asscher cut diamond rings are the timeless piece, supporting their elegance and appeal for a long time. Their most significant emphasis is that they are brilliantly faceted. The concentric cuts of the diamonds enhance clarity and allow optimum reflection of light, making the diamonds sparkle beautifully.
Oval cut diamond:
Oval cut diamonds have an elongated shape, otherwise bearing a resemblance to round diamonds in terms of their layers and facets. It is among the most popular choice for halo diamond rings, where tiny stones surround the central oval stone. The end result is that the oval shape makes the ring appear bigger and more luxurious.
Round cut diamond:
Understated yet sophisticated, and round diamonds are perhaps also the most versatile. A round diamond cut is a great choice for those who do not prefer big, chunky diamonds. Its simple elegance, paired with its high-range versatility, makes it an all-time classic diamond cut.
Bottom line:
You will now have a clear idea of diamond cuts and their significance, having reached the end of this article. Most well-cut diamonds are shaped and designed so that they reflect the most amount of light. This makes them sparkle brilliantly. An ideal diamond cut should have a good balance between the table and depth percentage while also maintaining the symmetry of the stone. Keep in mind the points discussed above.
[greeting]
