We all know how important a diamond is. It can solidify a relationship; it can bring tears of joy to the one you love; it can symbolize a life together or reflect on a relationship already cherished.
The Ever-Important 4 Cs
There are 4 Cs of diamonds: cut, clarity, carat weight and colour. A certified diamond professional will not only appraise your diamond based on these four criteria, but also judge several other important standards. These include size, shape, measurement, weight, depth percentage, table percentage, girdle thickness, polish, symmetry, culet size and fluorescence.
Understanding a Diamond Cut
A diamond cut is much more than just the exterior shape of the diamond. It also refers to the reflective qualities; that is, how the diamond reflects the light. When people comment that someone’s diamond engagement ring “is blinding,” they are referring to the diamond cut.
So how does the “blinding light” actually work? Light enters through the large, flat top of a stone. This is known as the table. The light will travel to the base of the stone, also called the pavilion of the diamond. The light will reflect from one side to the other like a bouncing ping-pong ball before it is sent back to the base of the stone and then to the observer’s eyes.
Of course, the diamond cut is vital for appraising the value of a diamond ring. This is why there has been a grading system invented to assess the cut of your diamond. An ideal cut is the top of the grading system followed by a premium cut diamond, a very good diamond, a good cut diamond, a fair cut diamond and a poor cut diamond.
The Perfect Cut
When it comes to the cut of a diamond, a general rule is, the better the quality of the cut, the more light it will reflect.
Ideal diamonds have smaller tables but project the maximum brilliance. They are only available in rounded shaped diamonds and project the most blinding light. Premium cuts are very similar to an ideal cut diamond expect they tend to be less expensive and can come in more than just a round shape.
In a very good cut and a good cut diamond, the most important aspect is not necessary brilliance, but size. The diamond is bigger and, although the reflective quality is still good, the proportions are slightly off. This can cause a less ideal cut diamond. Very good and good cut diamonds tend to be less expensive than the above grades; however, they are still extremely good quality diamonds and often larger than the above grades.
When searching for that perfect gemstone for the one you love, it’s important to know what you are looking for. Understanding the perfect cut is the first step to the right diamond.
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