Diamond Cut
A Diamond's Cut Unleashes Its Light
Diamonds are cut and polished into a variety of shapes. Brilliant Round, Princess, Pear, Emerald, Cushion and Radiant are some examples of these shapes. However, the cut of a diamond is much more than the shape. Cut is also a measure of the proportion of the angles and facets relative to the size. A diamond that is poor or fair in cut will not reflect and refract light properly and is not nearly as valuable as one with excellent or very good cut. An excellent cut diamond will have optimal luster, brilliance, dispersion of light and scintillation, or “sparkle.” |
How does pavilion depth affect a diamond's cut?
The distance from the bottom of the girdle to the culet is the pavilion depth. A pavilion depth that's too shallow or too deep will allow light to escape from the side of the stone or leak out of the bottom. A well-cut diamond will direct more light through the crown. |