Diamond Cuts:
The Cut Enhances Its Value
Poor Diamond Cuts will make diamonds look dull even with the best Color and Clarity. The Cut is the only C that is influenced by the human’s hands. Hence, it requires a skillful diamond cutter/polisher with a specialized knowledge to transform a rough stone into a faceted gem. Nature influences the characteristics of the Color, Clarity and Carat (Stone Weight) of a diamond but the 4 C’s depend on the Cut in many ways.
The Cut refers to the angles and proportions of the diamond. A skilled cutter/polisher would cut and polish a rough diamond into a multi-faceted finished diamond.
These facets on a diamond are labelled; table, crown, girdle, pavilion and culet. A quality cut is one in which the facets are angled and cut so that that they reflect the diamond's natural color and brilliance in the best light.
The Diamond Cut affects the Color, Clarity and the Carat (Stone Weight). The overall appearance of the diamond depends more on the Cut than anything else. Hence, well-cut diamonds by a skilled cutter/polisher will be of high value.
Good Cut can be defined in three ways:
1. Symmetry
Symmetry means that all facets have to be equal in size and proportions. Correct symmetry reflects the light from one surface to another repeatedly throughout the diamond.
When facets are arranged in precise proportion, they will maximise the prisms, fire and brilliance of a diamond.
2. Surface Texture
Surface texture refers to the smoothness of the facets. The smooth surfaces create more reflection that gives a diamond maximum brilliance.
3. Proportions
Good proportions are very important.
- Diameter - The width of the diamond is measured through the girdle.
- Table - The table is the largest facet of a diamond.
- Crown - The top part of a diamond.
- Pavilion - The bottom part of the diamond.
- Culet - The facet at tip of the bottom.
- Depth - The height of a diamond measured from the culet to the table.
- Girdle - The girdle separates the crown and pavilion of a diamond.
- Girdle proportion - The girdle must not be too thin or too thick. If the girdle is too thin, it can easily chip. Again if the girdle is too thick, it can trap oil and dirt, and this will affect the brilliance of the diamond.
All rough diamonds lose nearly 60% during the diamond polishing process. Cutters/polishers are often tempted to sacrifice brilliance for a larger stone.
Since most buyers confuse the quality of a diamond with a size, they tend to think that the bigger the stone the more valuable the diamond is, without considering other characteristics such as Color, Clarity and Cut.
So when doing your price comparison beware of diamond cuts to maintain a higher stone weight while sacrificing the cutting of a good angle.
Modern Diamond Cutting Styles
There are three basic types of diamond cutting styles that gem-cutters use when they are polishing the rough loose diamonds.
These styles are Brilliant Cut, Step Cut and Mixed Cut. All the styles are very important in transforming the stone into the most beautiful shapes.
1. Brilliant Cut
Brilliant Cut was first introduced by Venetian diamond-cutter called Vicenti Peruzzi at the end of the 17th century. During the 20th century it was developed into the best cut of the modern times.
The cut is made up of stars, bezels and pavilions facets.
Stars facets are shaped more like triangles and situated next to the table at the crown (top part) of the loose diamond.
Bezels and pavilions are shaped like the kites.
- Bezels are situated at the crown of the table.
- Pavilions are situated at the bottom part of the loose diamond.
The most common Brilliant Cut is the Round Shape and other examples are Heart, Oval, Marquise, Pear and Cushion. All brilliants have 57- 58 facets and are admired for their fire and sparkle.
2. Step Cut
The Step Cut has rows of facets that resemble the steps of a staircase and are usually four-sided and elongated. The Emeralds, Asscher and Baguette diamond shapes are examples of this cut.
3. Mixed Cut
The Mixed Cut is a combination of both cutting styles (Brilliant and Step Cut). Examples of Mixed Cuts are Radiant and Princess Diamond shapes.
Return to the top of Diamond Cuts page
Go from Diamond Cuts to Loose Diamonds homepage
|
