4 C’s: Diamond Cut
If a diamond is cut shallow, light will leak through the side or bottom of the stone resulting in a loss of brilliance. The value of these stones is markedly less due to the loss of brilliance.
A well cut diamond will internally reflect light from one mirror like facet to another, disperse and reflect it through the top of the stone. This results in a display of brilliance and fire.
A deep cut stone will also leak light through the side or bottom of the stone. Deep cut stones will appear smaller than a same size/point stone that is well cut. Again the value of these stones is markedly less due to loss of size and brilliance.
In 1919 a mathematician, Marcel Tolkowsky wrote a thesis on the proportions of the round cut, or what is known as the “ideal cut”.
The ideal cut represented the maximum light being returned to the eye from light entering the stone. This “ideal” label used to describe such a cut. However, such a perfectly cut diamond requires skilled craftsmen to cut away more than 50% of the rough diamond. This makes the ideal cut diamond far more expensive than a near ideal or “premium cut diamond. The American Gem Society also determined cut parameters which represented what they would call “ideal” or the AGS ideal(0) cut. The Tolkowski and AGS 0 cut diamonds or diamonds that fall within their parameters command significantly higher prices than regular round cuts. We recommend (when budget is an issue) the premium or “near ideal cut”. This achieves a harmonius balance between its proportions and the display of brilliance.
The cut of the diamond is very important and it is complicated to understand how all the different parameters determine brilliance. There can be subtle differences between ideal and premium cuts that can hardly bee seen by the naked eye. Sacrificing a little on the cut does not mean losing brilliance. Not all ideal or AGS (0) cuts will have superb brilliance so it is very important to seek expert advice when considering such a purchase.
Cut also refers to the shape of a diamond – round, marquee, pear, princess, etc. These are known as fancy shape and have their own guidlines to be considered well cut.
DistinctiveDiamonds.com carries only premium to ideal cut stones. We have taken the time to ensure all stones featured on our site are within the ideal to premium parameters.
