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Diamond Cut
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A diamond's cut is considered to be the most important of the four Cs. It is important to understand how a diamond's proportions and the relationship between them effects its brilliance, fire, and scintillation.
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Diamond Guide
Diamond Cut
Diamond Color
Diamond Clarity
Carat Weight
Diamond Certification
Diamond Care
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IDEAL CUT DIAMOND
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Cut, more than any other quality aspect, gives the
diamond its sparkle. A diamond gets its brilliance
and scintillation by cutting and polishing the
diamond facets to allow the maximum amount of light
that enters through its top to be reflected and
dispersed back. When all the angles are correct,
the light that enters is dispersed back through the
diamonds top facets.
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INFERIOR CUT DIAMONDS
Most diamonds are "spread" in their cutting to
retain maximum weight from the original rough. A
heavier diamond will result, but a dramatic
sacrifice of potential fire and brilliance. The
width and depth have the greatest effect on how
light travels within the diamond, and how it exits
in the form of brilliance.
| Shallow Cut Diamonds |
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When a diamond is cut too shallow, light
leaks out of the bottom, brilliance is lost
and the diamond appears watery, glassy and
dark. A diamond with these characteristics
is referred to as a "fisheye".
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| Deep Cut Diamonds |
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When a diamond is cut too deep, light leaks
out of the sides, brilliance is lost and
the center of the diamond will appear to be
dark. A diamond with these characteristics
is referred to as a "nailhead".
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A diamond cutter spends years mastering his craft,
learning how best to cut a rough diamond to achieve
the ultimate cut with the fewest imperfections and
the least loss of carat weight. The better the cut,
the more valuable the diamond.
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DIAMOND PROPORTIONS
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Experts express differing opinions on the
best table size (the diameter of the
largest facet on the top of the stone) and
the best depth for a diamond, because these
factors alone are not sufficient to
accurately judge its cut.
Other factors - crown angle, girdle
thickness, pavilion depth-percentage (the
ratio of depth to girdle diameter), culet
size, polish and symmetry - also play a
role in judging a diamond's overall cut
quality.
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A diamond's cut is graded by several
measurements. Its depth percentage, a
measurement of the height vs. the width of
the stone and its table percentage, a
measurement of the diameter of the top
facet of the stone vs. the stone's average
width, are two key factors in determining
the quality of a diamond's cut. These
percentages are detailed on the GIA Gem
Trade Laboratory Diamond Grading Report
that accompanies every GemLogic loose
diamond.
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Polish & Symmetry
Although polish and symmetry are graded under 10X
magnification they can both have an affect on the overall
appearance of a diamond. Polish refers to the quality of
the diamond's surface and includes such features as nicks,
polish lines and abrasions. Symmetry refers to the
exactness of the shape and alignment of the facets.
Some of the symmetry characteristics of round diamonds are
listed below:
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| Off-center culet |
Misshapen facets |
Off-center table |
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| Facets not properly pointed |
Crown and pavilion misalignment |
Table and girdle not parallel |
The polish and symmetry grades are listed in each diamond
detail page and within the AGSL or GIA diamond grading
report. AGSL grades polish and symmetry as ideal (ID),
excellent (EX), very good (VG), or good (G). GIA graded
diamonds will have polish and symmetry grades of excellent
(EX), very good (VG), or good (G).
GemLogic does not carry lower quality diamonds with
polish and symmetry grades of fair (F) or poor (P).
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