Among the 4 C's of diamonds (clarity, color, carat, and cut), cut is often mistaken as a reference to its shape, e.g. round, octagon, pear, etc. However, the cut grade of a diamond (or any other gemstone for that matter) has more to do with how well the facets interact with light. Cut refers to a diamond's proportions, symmetry, and polish.
Proportions refer to the mathematical ratios or relationships between the various facets, specifically, the table size, the crown angle, and the pavilion depth. Symmetry refers to how the various facets align and intersect. Symmetry is of paramount importance to the stone's brilliance as it will determine how it directs light into the stone at different angles.
Diamonds or gemstones wouldn't be nearly as beautiful without a precise cut and it's all about the physics of light. Cut is said to be the factor that "fuels a diamond's fire, sparkle, and brilliance," so let's take a closer look at those three attributes.
Fire
This is defined as the dispersion of light into the colors of the spectrum or basically how white light refracts and separates into different spectral (rainbow) colors. In gemstones, the higher the refractive index, the greater the fire.
Brilliance
The total light reflected from a diamond, or more specifically, the light that is reflected from the interior of the gem. The more transparent the gemstone, the greater the brilliance.
Scintillation
The pattern of light and dark areas and the flashes of light or sparkle when a diamond is moved.
Last but not least, talking about the quality of a gemstone's cut would not be complete without the inclusion of the following term.
Luster
Refers to the light that is reflected on the gem's surface.
Of all the four C's, I must personally admit that precision in a gemstone's cut is what really gets my attention at first glance. Just as symmetry of form in the human body is what gives the immediate impression of physical beauty, a gemstone's cut will spell the difference between an impression of overall beauty or one of dullness.
A lot of women (or men) might have the mistaken notion that when it comes to gemstones, size (or total carat weight) is preeminent. However, without the play of light in a gemstone, it is highly suspect that the stone you have at hand will beguile you. No one wants to look at a lackluster paperweight sitting atop one's finger no matter what the size.
*Photo courtesy of GIA.
Proportions refer to the mathematical ratios or relationships between the various facets, specifically, the table size, the crown angle, and the pavilion depth. Symmetry refers to how the various facets align and intersect. Symmetry is of paramount importance to the stone's brilliance as it will determine how it directs light into the stone at different angles.
Diamonds or gemstones wouldn't be nearly as beautiful without a precise cut and it's all about the physics of light. Cut is said to be the factor that "fuels a diamond's fire, sparkle, and brilliance," so let's take a closer look at those three attributes.
Fire
This is defined as the dispersion of light into the colors of the spectrum or basically how white light refracts and separates into different spectral (rainbow) colors. In gemstones, the higher the refractive index, the greater the fire.
Brilliance
The total light reflected from a diamond, or more specifically, the light that is reflected from the interior of the gem. The more transparent the gemstone, the greater the brilliance.
Scintillation
The pattern of light and dark areas and the flashes of light or sparkle when a diamond is moved.
Last but not least, talking about the quality of a gemstone's cut would not be complete without the inclusion of the following term.
Luster
Refers to the light that is reflected on the gem's surface.
Of all the four C's, I must personally admit that precision in a gemstone's cut is what really gets my attention at first glance. Just as symmetry of form in the human body is what gives the immediate impression of physical beauty, a gemstone's cut will spell the difference between an impression of overall beauty or one of dullness.
A lot of women (or men) might have the mistaken notion that when it comes to gemstones, size (or total carat weight) is preeminent. However, without the play of light in a gemstone, it is highly suspect that the stone you have at hand will beguile you. No one wants to look at a lackluster paperweight sitting atop one's finger no matter what the size.
*Photo courtesy of GIA.