Diamond Cut

Shape and cut are often confused but know this: they aren’t the same thing.

 

 

Shape refers to the basic external outline of a gemstone. Round, oval, square, triangular, heart, marquise, and pear are all shapes. And they all describe shapes of diamonds you might be looking for.

 

Cut refers not to a diamond's shape (e.g. round, oval, pear, etc.) but to a diamond's proportions, symmetry and polish. 

 

 

A diamond’s cut is harder to quantify than color, clarity and carat weight. That’s because cuts can vary from diamond to diamond and have to do with how the diamond cutter chooses to shape, facet and polish a diamond.

The cut grades are referenced on a diamond's certificate often using the GIA standards of Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair and Poor.

 

The cut of a diamond is considered to be the most important factor with respect to its beauty. A diamond's cut has three primary effects on appearance:

BRILLIANCE: 

The light that reflects from the diamond.

FIRE:

The flashes of color you see within the diamond; how the light scatters through the diamond to create a rainbow of light, like a prism.

SCINTILLATION:

The sparkle that happens when a diamond or a light source moves.