Diamond Cut

The 4C's: Cut

When it comes to diamond quality, cut is the most crucial factor affecting brilliance, fire, and scintillation. Even a diamond with perfect color and clarity will appear dull if the cut is poor. In this guide, we’ll explore what makes a perfect cut, the different cut grades, and how to choose the best one for your jewelry.

What Is Diamond Cut

A diamond's cut refers not only to its shape but also to how well it reflects light back to the viewer's eye. Unlike the diamond's shape, the cut grade measures proportion, symmetry, and polish. A well-cut diamond will appear more brilliant and larger than diamonds of the same carat weight, while a poorly cut diamond will appear dull and lackluster. A well-cut diamond reflects light in brilliance, dispersion, fire and scintillation.

Types Of Diamond Cut

Excellent Cut – Perfect proportions and symmetry, maximizing brilliance and fire. Virtually flawless to the naked eye.
Very Good Cut – Slightly less precise than Excellent but still offers outstanding sparkle; minimal visible flaws.
Good Cut – Decent brilliance and fire with good symmetry; minor imperfections may be visible upon close inspection; more affordable.
Fair Cut – Noticeable proportion and symmetry flaws reduce sparkle; inclusions or dull areas may be visible.
Poor Cut – Poor proportions and symmetry result in weak light return; diamond appears dull with visible flaws.

Brilliance, Dispersion, Fire & Scintillation

Brilliance: the amount of white light a diamond reflects, determining how bright and sparkling it appears.
Dispersion: a diamond’s ability to split white light into colorful rainbow flashes, adding vibrant colors to its sparkle.
Fire: refers to the colorful flashes of light that come from a diamond when light breaks into spectral colors, making the diamond visually stunning.
Scintillation: pattern of bright and dark flashes that appear when a diamond is viewed from different angles and lighting conditions. It results from the interaction between the diamond’s internal fire and its white light reflection.

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Round Diamond Cut vs. Fancy Shape Diamond Cut

Round diamonds are the only shape that can achieve the Ideal Cut, delivering unmatched brilliance and fire. Fancy-shaped diamonds, while not graded as Ideal Cut, can still reach Excellent quality—offering a unique sparkle and a style that reflects your individuality.

If timeless brilliance is what you’re after, a round diamond is your perfect match. For those who want something distinctive and full of personality, fancy-shaped diamonds are the ideal choice. Either way, with excellent cut, polish, and symmetry, you’ll enjoy a diamond that shines with true beauty and exceptional quality.

Ideal Cuts

An ideal cut diamond reflects nearly all incoming light, achieved by cutting the gemstone according to precise standards. This results in exceptional brilliance, fire, and sparkle, enhancing the diamond’s visual size. Many ideal cut diamonds feature heart and arrow patterns, known as "Hearts and Arrows" diamonds, symbolizing romance and perfection.