Learn About Diamonds
There’s More to a Diamond Than Meets the Eye
There’s no doubt that diamonds are an object of fancy and a woman’s best friend. While an experienced buyer will understand how diamonds are categorized and what makes them unique, a novice may appear completely lost. Fortunately, if you’re looking to gain an in-depth understanding of diamonds, the team at Voski Jewelers has put together some useful information that we believe will guide you while making a purchase.
The cut of a diamond refers not to its shape, but the balance of proportion, symmetry, and polish achieved by the diamond cutter. The extent of how well the diamond is cut is directly related to the diamond’s overall beauty. When a diamond has been correctly cut, the diamond’s ability to reflect and refract light is greatly enhanced. By understanding the way that light moves through diamond crystals, modern diamond cutters have established a specific set of proportions and angles that are known to harness the diamond’s internal brilliance and to show it in its best light.
Cut is considered to be the most important of all of the diamond characteristics, as a well-cut diamond will often appear larger than a poorly cut diamond of the same carat weight, and have the appearance of enhanced color and clarity.
The best cut diamonds have proportions that are within tried and true ranges known for maximizing brilliance, fire, and scintillation.
Brilliance
Dispersion (Fire)
Scintillation
The top portion of the diamond, from the girdle to the table.
The lower portion of a diamond, from the girdle to the culet.
The facet or point on the bottom of the diamond’s pavilion.
The narrow rim around the widest part of a diamond, separating the crown from the pavilion. Also referred to as the setting edge, where a diamond is held when set in jewelry.
The height of a gemstone, from the culet to the table. Determined as a percentage of the overall diameter of the gem.
Several proportion factors have the most immediate impact on a diamond’s ability to reflect light correctly. A well-cut diamond is proportioned so that most of the light entering the gem exits back through the top of the stone, perfectly balancing the white light (brilliance) with intense flashes of fire (dispersion). A poorly cut diamond, with facets cut only a few degrees out of alignment, can result in light exiting through the bottom of the diamond, known as light leakage, instead of from the top where it is visible. This creates a diamond with dulled brilliance from poor light performance within the gem, making the center of the gem look dark.
Cut to the most exacting standards. On the diamond certificate, it is graded as “Excellent” or “Ideal” for cut, polish, and symmetry. These diamonds will also show a “hearts and arrows” facet pattern, have the most desirable girdle and culet dimensions and be proportioned to return the maximum possible light.
Exquisite quality cut to create the optimal combination of brilliance and fire. It reflects nearly all light that enters the diamond. Top 3% of diamond quality based on cut.
Very Good: Superior quality cut that reflects nearly as much light as the ideal cut while at a substantially lower cost. Top 15% of diamond quality.
Premium quality cut to optimize the size without sacrificing quality or beauty. Reflects most light that enters. Top 25% of diamond quality.
Adequate quality cut which reflects some light while maximizing weight. While not as brilliant as a good cut, it is still a quality diamond. Top 35% of diamond quality.
Inadequate quality cut that reflects minimal amount of light. Brilliant Earth does not provide diamonds with cut grades of poor.
Appraisals on New Diamond Purchases
Every certified diamond purchase comes with an appraisal so you can insure your investment. Call to learn more.