Diamond Cut
About Diamond Cuts

Diamond cut is important in both shape and depth. The diamond shape is mostly about personal
preference with the round diamonds being the most popular representing about 75% of all
diamonds sold. The diamond depth was not determined to be of much importance
until 1919 when a mathematician named Marcel Tolkowsky used numerical formulas to achieve
the modern brilliant cut. He did this by cutting a diamond so that all light entering
the stone followed a controlled path to exit the top of the diamond. It was this
discovery that lead to the quality and brilliance in diamonds that we enjoy today.
Deep Cut Diamonds

When a diamond is cut too deep it looses light out of the bottom. The center of the
diamond will appear dark. In this image the light is exiting the side of the diamond.
This is because the stone is too deep and the light is not being controlled to go out
the top. Some diamonds are cut to have maximum weight rather than maximum beauty. This
is an example of that kind of diamond and the effect this cutting has on the beauty.
Some people are fooled into thinking that they are getting a better diamond simply because
the carat weight is higher, but at the expense of brillance and beauty.
Shallow Cut Diamonds

When a diamond is cut too shallow, brilliance is lost and the diamond appears watery,
glassy and dark. Looking from the top, it appears to be much larger than it really is.
This is called a "fish-eye" or sometimes a "swindle cut," so called because you can
take a diamond of .80 ct with this type of spread cut and make it appear as a 1.00ct
diamond. Some people are fooled into thinking that they are getting a larger diamond
for the money.
Ideal Cut Diamonds

When a round brilliant diamond has been cut to precise
angles and proportions, with superb symmetry and polish, visual
patterns begin to emerge. A well-cut and well-proportioned diamond
allows the maximum amount of light to enter, reflect and return to your
eye. The nice reflection and sparkle are also called the "fire of the diamond."
In this image, you can see that the light is going in the top, traveling around
the diamond interior and exiting out the top of the stone. No matter where the
light enters this diamond, the light will go out the top. This is a brilliant
and beautiful stone. Ideal cut diamonds are always more beautiful!!!
Diamond Shapes
The 4 C's of Diamonds are Cut, Color, Clarity and Carat Weight.