Diamond CUT is one of the most important of the 4C’s. Most people will be focusing too much on the other C’s and totally ignoring the one that makes all the difference. Why might you ask? I’ll gladly explain it to you.
In 1953, the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) successfully introduced the now virtually universal diamond grading system. Their system is based on the Four C’s: Colour, Clarity, Cut, and Carat.
GIA only reports a Grading level on the classic Round Brilliant Cut. All other fancy shape Diamonds will only include a level of “Polish Grade” and “Symmetry Grade”
The Diamond cut on a Round Brilliant cut falls into one of the 5 Categories: Poor, Fair, Good, Very Good and Excellent. Let's look more into that.
What Contributes to Cut Grade?
Proportions: The angles and relative measurements of the diamond’s facets, such as the depth, table size, crown angle, and pavilion angle.
Symmetry: How well the facets are aligned and proportioned.
Polish: The quality of the diamond's surface finish.
Light Performance: How well the diamond returns light to the viewer, evaluated in terms of brightness, fire, and scintillation.
Poor
Diamonds with a poor cut lack symmetry and proportions, diminishing their brilliance and sparkle. They often appear dull and lifeless.
Appearance: Minimal brilliance, fire, and scintillation. The diamond appears dull with little light return.
Symmetry: Poor symmetry and facet alignment cause light to escape the diamond, leaving it with almost no sparkle.
Proportions: Major deviations from ideal proportions. The diamond might be too shallow or too deep.
Why It Fits the Category: Due to improper proportions and facet alignment, most light is lost through the sides or bottom, leaving the diamond with almost no visual appeal.
Fair
Fairly cut diamonds may have some symmetry issues and inadequate proportions, reducing their overall sparkle and brilliance.
Appearance: Lower levels of brilliance and fire, with significant light leakage. The diamond appears duller and lacks sparkle.
Symmetry: Facets may be more noticeably misaligned, and the cut quality shows.
Proportions: Significant deviations from ideal angles and table size, impacting how light travels through the diamond.
Why It Fits the Category: Light is lost through the bottom or sides of the diamond, leading to poor light performance and less visual appeal.
Good
Diamonds with a good cut have acceptable symmetry and proportions, offering a decent level of brilliance and sparkle.
Appearance: Good brilliance and fire, though noticeable areas where light leakage occurs. The sparkle is good but lacks the intensity of higher grades.
Symmetry: Facets may be slightly misaligned, causing less effective light reflection.
Proportions: Noticeable deviations from ideal proportions, but the overall look is still attractive.
Why It Fits the Category: Some light escapes from the sides or bottom due to less-than-ideal proportions, leading to reduced brightness and fire.
Very Good
Diamonds with a very good cut have precise proportions and excellent symmetry, resulting in impressive brilliance and sparkle.
Appearance: Very high levels of brilliance and fire, but slightly less than Excellent. Light performance is still very impressive.
Symmetry: Well-arranged facets with minor imperfections in symmetry or polish.
Proportions: Slight deviations from ideal proportions but still very close.
Why It Fits the Category: Slight variations in facet arrangement or proportions reduce light return slightly, but the diamond still performs exceptionally well.
Excellent
Diamonds with an excellent cut exhibit exceptional proportions, symmetry, and polish. They are known for their outstanding brilliance and maximum sparkle, making them highly desirable.
Appearance: Outstanding brilliance, fire, and scintillation. Light reflects internally from one facet to another, then disperses through the crown, creating maximum sparkle.
Symmetry: Precise facet arrangements and proportions. Light reflects almost entirely back to the viewer.
Proportions: Ideal or near-ideal angles for the pavilion, crown, and table.
Why It Fits the Category: The diamond has been crafted to ideal proportions, allowing the most light to return to the viewer’s eye.
Why Choose Very Good to Excellent Cut
Purchasing a diamond with a cut grade ranging from Very Good to Excellent is a wise decision for several reasons:
Optimal Brilliance: A well-cut diamond maximizes the reflection and refraction of light, ensuring optimal brilliance and sparkle. This enhances the diamond's overall beauty and attractiveness.
Fire and Scintillation: A finely cut diamond disperses light into a beautiful spectrum of colours, creating a mesmerizing play of fire. Scintillation, the sparkle and pattern of light and dark areas, is also enhanced with an excellent cut.
Showcase of Quality Craftsmanship: A diamond with a Very Good to Excellent cut showcases the skill, precision, and artistry of the diamond cutter. It’s a testament to the craftsmanship that went into creating a piece of extraordinary beauty.
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