Diamond cut refers not to a diamond’s shape (for example round, oval princess) but instead to how well the facets on a diamond interact with light. It’s all about the craftmanship; the quality of the diamond’s proportions, symmetry and polish. A well-cut diamond reflects light beautifully, giving it exceptional brilliance and fire.
Cut is the biggest factor that influences a diamond’s sparkle. For example, even a diamond with perfect clarity and color can appear dull if it has been poorly cut. When light first hits a diamond some of the light bounces right off the top. The rest of the light goes deeper inside the diamond and reflects off the internal walls. Once it reflects off the internal walls, it exits the diamond, and if it is well cut it will exit through the top of the diamond, splitting into different colors creating that rainbow effect and signature sparkle.
Diamond cuts are often graded into 5 categories.
The depth of a diamond, measured from the table (top) to the culet (bottom) is a big factor in how well the diamond reflects light.
Polish and Symmetry are crucial components of a diamond’s cut quality. Polish refers to how smooth a diamond’s surface is, with a high-quality polish resulting in a more brilliant appearance. A diamond with a poor polish might have some visible marks or scratches which then affects the light that the diamond is able to reflect.
Symmetry is about how precisely the diamond’s facets are aligned and proportioned. Excellent symmetry ensures the light reflects evenly throughout the diamond, creating a consistent sparkle throughout the diamond regardless of the angle the diamond is looked at. If the facets are misaligned or uneven, the diamond displays less of its sparkle and shine.
