The Ultimate Diamond Cut Guide

Navigating the world of diamond cuts can be overwhelming. This guide simplifies the process. We break down various cuts—from classic round to contemporary princess—and explain how their size affects the diamond’s appearance and brilliance. Discover which cut best complements your finger shape and desired sparkle.

Why Diamond Cut Matters

When evaluating a diamond, the cut is arguably the most crucial of the Four Cs (carat, cut, clarity, and color). The craftsman’s skill determines how light interacts with the diamond, influencing its brilliance, fire, and overall appearance.

A well-cut diamond will have the maximum light return, creating a dazzling display of brilliance and fire. The diamond may be absolutely flawless in every other way, but if it has a poor cut, it will look dead. The quality of the cut can significantly affect this value; obviously, the more beautifully cut the stone, the higher the price.

This is precisely why a diamond cut is a major consideration when purchasing a good-quality diamond. The well-informed buyer will always get value for money by selecting a diamond with a superior cut.

The Basics of Diamond Cut

The term 'diamond cut' encompasses the geometry, proportions, and all other factors that involve the diamond facets or surfaces. The shape of the diamond refers to the external contour shape of the diamond itself; it is not the angle of the diamond. For example, round, princess, pear. A well-designed diamond can let light enter and exit in rays of brilliance and fire.

How Diamond Cut Affects Brilliance

How a diamond is cut determines its ability to capture and return light. Precise angles and proportions ensure that light enters the diamond, reflects off its facets, and exits the stone as a dazzling display of brilliance. Poorly cut diamonds may allow light to escape through the pavilion or crown, resulting in a dull or lifeless appearance.

Cut Grades Explained

Cut grades are used to evaluate the quality of a diamond’s cut. Common cut grades include:

Excellent: The highest grade, indicating a diamond with exceptional proportions, angles, and symmetry.

Very Good: A high-quality cut with slight deviations from the ideal proportions.

Good: A decent cut with noticeable deviations from the ideal.

Fair: A cut with significant deviations affecting the diamond’s brilliance and fire.

Poor: An inferior cut with severe deviations, resulting in a dull and lifeless diamond.

Popular Diamond Cuts Explained

Round Brilliant Cut

The round brilliant cut is believed to be the most popular diamond cut because it produces the most brilliance and symmetry in the stone. It contains 58 facets, which reflect light in a manner that gives the appearance of burning fire and scintillation.

Princess Cut

The princess cut is one of the most popular fancy cuts. It resembles a square diamond with pointed corners. It offers a highly modern appearance and brilliance. It often serves as a trendy alternative to the more traditional round brilliant cut and quite regularly appears as a best-seller among engagement rings.

Cushion Cut

The cushion cut is a square, or more often rectangular, cut with rounded corners, giving it a classical, vintage appearance. It has rounded corners and a large, open table that can show the diamond's brilliance and fire.

Emerald Cut

The emerald cut is a rectangular cut with step-like facets. It is known for its elegant and sophisticated appearance and is often associated with vintage-inspired jewelry.

Oval, Marquise, and Pear Cuts

These are forms with different shapes and fashions. An oval cut shows its maximum grace and also portrays the wearer's finger as lengthy. The marquise cut is done with pointed ends, and this cut is normally associated with a more vintage or antique look. The pear cut is a mixture of a round and marquise shape, normally forming a unique and striking diamond.

Choosing the Perfect Diamond Cut

When evaluating a diamond, the cut is arguably the most crucial of the Four Cs (carat, cut, clarity, and color). The craftsman’s skill determines how light interacts with the diamond, influencing its brilliance, fire, and overall appearance.

A well-cut diamond will have the maximum light return, creating a dazzling display of brilliance and fire. The diamond may be absolutely flawless in every other way, but if it has a poor cut, it will look dead. The quality of the cut can significantly affect this value; obviously, the more beautifully cut the stone, the higher the price.

This is precisely why a diamond cut is a major consideration when purchasing a good-quality diamond. The well-informed buyer will always get value for money by selecting a diamond with a superior cut.

Consider Your Style

Style and preference are two notable factors to consider while choosing a diamond cut. For instance, if one loves the traditional look, the round brilliant cut will probably be the one. The princess or cushion cuts would work well for those wanting something more contemporary. If you are looking for something different, consider any elongated shapes, such as oval, marquise, or pear.

Matching the Cut with the Setting

Factors that affect the decision on the cut may also include the setting. Admittedly, some cuts look better with specific settings. A good example is the round brilliant cut. It is one of the few cuts that go with many settings, while the emerald cut is best seen in the prong setting.

Balancing Cut with Other Cs

To obtain the very best diamond in all aspects, there is a trade-off between cut and the other Cs: carat, color, and clarity. A good cut can mask a certain degree of color or clarity defects, but a poor cut will make a heavier carat weight or higher clarity grade less brilliant.

Budget Considerations

The cut of a diamond can have a significant effect on its price. Generally, the finer the cut grade of a diamond, the more expensive it is. On the contrary, outstanding-cut diamonds can be had at various price levels. You can find an attractive yet affordable diamond with proper budget planning and priority in choosing the cut that best fits your needs and preferences.

Why Certification Matters

Understanding Diamond Certification

Diamond certification is a process where a reputable gemological laboratory assesses a diamond’s quality based on the Four Cs: carat, cut, clarity, and color. This certification provides a reliable and impartial evaluation of the diamond’s characteristics, ensuring buyers can make informed decisions.

Top Certification Bodies

The most respected diamond certification bodies include:

  • GIA (Gemological Institute of America): Widely recognized as the industry standard, GIA certifications are highly sought after.
  • AGS (American Gem Society): Another reputable organization known for its rigorous grading standards.

What to Look for in a Certificate

When examining a diamond certificate, pay attention to the following details:

  • Cut grade: Ensure the cut grade is as high as possible (e.g., Excellent, Very Good).
  • Proportions: Check that the diamond’s proportions are within the ideal range.
  • Symmetry: Verify that the diamond’s facets are symmetrical, contributing to its brilliance.
  • Clarity grade: Assess the clarity grade to understand the diamond’s internal flaws.
  • Color grade: Evaluate the color grade to determine the diamond’s purity.

The certificate can certainly guarantee one’s peace of mind and raise the selling price of the diamond. A laboratory certificate must also be obtained any time a diamond is purchased.

Find Your Perfect Diamond Cut Today

What Are Diamond Cut Grades?

Diamond cut grades are crucial in evaluating a diamond’s quality. They assess how well a diamond has been cut, considering its proportions, symmetry, and polish. These factors directly influence how light interacts with the diamond, determining its brilliance and sparkle.

The Scale of Cut Grades

Diamond cut grades are typically categorized into five primary levels:

  • Excellent: The highest grade, representing a diamond with optimal proportions and symmetry. This results in the maximum light being reflected, creating the most brilliance and fire.
  • Very Good: A diamond with slightly less precision than Excellent. While still offering great brilliance and light reflection, it may exhibit minor deviations from the ideal proportions.
  • Good: A diamond that reflects most light but with noticeable differences in brilliance compared to higher grades. It may have some imperfections in its proportions or symmetry.
  • Fair: A diamond that reflects minimal light due to less precise proportions. This results in reduced sparkle and a less desirable appearance.
  • Poor: The lowest grade, with proportions significantly impacting the diamond’s ability to reflect light. This results in a dull and lifeless appearance.

How Cut Grades Impact Value

The cut grade of a diamond directly affects its value. Higher-cut grades like Excellent and Very Good are more desirable and command higher prices. These diamonds offer superior brilliance and fire, making them more attractive to buyers. Lower grades like Fair and Poor are less expensive but lack brilliance, which can reduce their overall appeal.

Key Characteristics of a Well-Cut Diamond

The cut of a diamond is one of the most critical factors in determining its beauty and value. A well-cut diamond maximizes its brilliance and fire, making it sparkle and shine. Understanding the key characteristics of a well-cut diamond can help you select the perfect stone for your needs.

Proportions

The proportions of a diamond are the balance between its dimensions, including its depth, width, and length. Optimal proportions ensure light enters the diamond, reflects off its facets, and exits the stone with maximum brilliance.

Symmetry

Symmetry refers to the even alignment of a diamond's facets. A diamond with good symmetry will interact with light consistently, enhancing its sparkle and brilliance.

Polish

The polish is the smoothness of the diamond's surface. A well-polished diamond will allow light to enter and exit the stone without scattering, resulting in a more precise and focused display of brilliance.

Table Size

The table size in a diamond refers to the size of the top facet. It is relevant for the alignment and installation of the diamond. If the table is very strong, it may permit an escape of excess light, dulling the appeal of the diamond. If it's too thin, on the other hand, then the amount of light that can penetrate the diamond will be restricted.

Depth Percentage

For every diamond, there is also the depth ratio relative to the diameter, called the depth percentage. It governs the content of light occurring inside the diamond. A diamond with an adequately set depth ratio will maximize its brilliance and fire.

Key Characteristics of a Well-Cut Diamond

The cut of a diamond is one of the most critical factors in determining its beauty and value. A well-cut diamond maximizes its brilliance and fire, making it sparkle and shine. Understanding the key characteristics of a well-cut diamond can help you select the perfect stone for your needs.

Proportions

The proportions of a diamond are the balance between its dimensions, including its depth, width, and length. Optimal proportions ensure light enters the diamond, reflects off its facets, and exits the stone with maximum brilliance.

Symmetry

Symmetry refers to the even alignment of a diamond's facets. A diamond with good symmetry will interact with light consistently, enhancing its sparkle and brilliance.

Polish

The polish is the smoothness of the diamond's surface. A well-polished diamond will allow light to enter and exit the stone without scattering, resulting in a more precise and focused display of brilliance.

Table Size

The table size in a diamond refers to the size of the top facet. It is relevant for the alignment and installation of the diamond. If the table is very strong, it may permit an escape of excess light, dulling the appeal of the diamond. If it's too thin, on the other hand, then the amount of light that can penetrate the diamond will be restricted.

Depth Percentage

For every diamond, there is also the depth ratio relative to the diameter, called the depth percentage. It governs the content of light occurring inside the diamond. A diamond with an adequately set depth ratio will maximize its brilliance and fire.

The Influence of Diamond Cut on Price

Diamond cut is a significant factor in determining a diamond’s price. A well-cut diamond can significantly enhance its brilliance and value, while a poorly cut diamond can diminish its appeal. Understanding how diamond cut influences price can help you make informed decisions when purchasing a diamond.

Cut Quality and Value

The quality of a diamond's cut directly influences its value. A well-cut diamond with excellent proportions, symmetry, and polish will reflect light more effectively, creating a dazzling display of brilliance and fire. This superior optical performance makes such diamonds more desirable and more expensive.

Premium for Excellent Cuts

Buyers look for diamonds with a Great cut grade, especially tip-top cut grades like the Exclusive or the Very Good offshore. This increased demand leads to rising price levels for these diamonds. A premium is usually charged on such cuts due to their remarkable brilliance and fire.

Cost Differences Across Cut Grades

The difference in price between diamonds with different cut grades can be significant. Even if two diamonds have similar carat weights, colors, and clarity grades, a diamond with a higher cut grade will cost more. The added value and desirability of a well-cut diamond justify the premium price.

Balancing Cut with Budget

An Excellent cut ensures brilliance and all the value one would look for in a diamond despite being out of reach for most people. A Very Good cut would reduce the price while retaining a fair amount of sparkle and brilliance. However, it is possible to economize when purchasing diamonds. After all, it is only a pragmatic approach against the "customary approach."

Key Characteristics of a Well-Cut Diamond

The cut of a diamond is one of the most critical factors in determining its beauty and value. A well-cut diamond maximizes its brilliance and fire, making it sparkle and shine. Understanding the key characteristics of a well-cut diamond can help you select the perfect stone for your needs.

Proportions

Proportions deal with the diamond's depth, width, and angles. These factors affect the diamond's light reflection. The proportions, which are considered perfect, result in the intense sparkle of the stone as more light penetrates in, bounces off the different facets of the diamond, and shimmers out.

Symmetry

Symmetry is the even alignment of a diamond's facets. A diamond with good symmetry will interact with light consistently, enhancing its sparkle and brilliance. Misaligned facets can cause light to scatter, reducing the diamond's overall appearance.

Polish

Polish is the term for the smoothness of a diamond's surface. If the diamond is well polished, light will enter or leave the stone without dispersing, enhancing the diamond's fire. Badly cut diamonds may seem cloudy or lifeless.

Facet Alignment

Facet alignment is the precision with which the diamond's facets are cut and positioned. Proper alignment ensures light reflects off the facets correctly, maximizing the diamond's brilliance. Misaligned facets can disrupt the light path, reducing the diamond's sparkle.

Cut Grade

The cut grade encompasses all these parameters into a single measure of how a diamond performs in relation to light. A high cut grade, such as Excellent or Very Good, would be a diamond with the best proportions, symmetry, and polish, making it one with the most beauty and brilliance.

4 Things to Know About Diamond Size

Carat Weight Doesn’t Equal Size

While carats measure a diamond’s weight, they don’t directly correlate with its size. Two diamonds with the same carat weight can look significantly different in size due to their shape, cut, and setting.

Shape Affects Perceived Size

The shape of a diamond can impact its perceived size. Elongated shapes like ovals and marquise can appear larger than round diamonds of the same carat weight because they cover more surface area.

Cut Quality Impacts Size Perception

A well-cut diamond reflects light more efficiently, making it appear larger and more brilliant. Even with the same carat weight, a poorly cut diamond may look smaller and less impressive.

Setting Can Enhance Size

The setting can also influence how a diamond appears in terms of size. Settings like halos or bezels can make a diamond look larger by framing it and creating the illusion of a bigger stone.

Ready to find the perfect diamond for your special occasion? Visit DiamondNet today to explore our stunning diamond collection and discover the beauty of a well-cut stone. Our expert team is here to guide you through the selection process and help you find the diamond of your dreams.

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I was shopping for a 40th wedding anniversary ring for my wife late last year and I am so glad that I came across DiamondNet. I had a great experience getting the ring from Felix. He is an impressive guy to work with. Very professional, knowledgeable with amazing customer service skills. I am a bit fussy customer and Felix was extremely patient, kind and knowledgeable during the entire process of choosing the diamond and the ring design. He delivered just what I had imagined, beautiful diamond ring. It was such a positive experience that, just recently, I returned to Felix in search of earrings. And again, he did not disappoint. Highly recommended! Thank you Felix.
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I’m extremely disappointed with my experience with DiamondNet and their so-called "personalized" wedding band service.We initially ordered a custom-designed ring with the assurance that we could exchange or return it if we weren’t satisfied. Unfortunately, the design they delivered the first time wasn’t what we had envisioned, so we exchanged it, hoping they would get it right on the second attempt.To our dismay, the second ring still wasn’t what we expected. When I reached out to ask for the first ring back (since it was better than the second), they suddenly changed their tune and refused to exchange it, citing a policy against returns or exchanges for personalized designs. This was despite the fact that they had already accepted an exchange for the first ring because they acknowledged it didn’t match our design.When I pointed out this inconsistency and provided pictures of the design I had worked on with their designer, clearly showing that they understood what we wanted but failed to execute it, they still refused to accommodate us. To make matters worse, their tone was not respectful throughout the entire process, and they outright refused to speak to me over the phone, making the situation even more frustrating. Instead, they tried to penalize me with extra charges for exchanging the ring again, knowing that I preferred the first one over the second.If you’re looking for a company to create a personalized design, I strongly advise against choosing DiamondNet. They couldn’t deliver what we wanted, and their customer service was not only unprofessional but also disrespectful. Save yourself the headache and go elsewhere.
Jocelyn PascuaJocelyn Pascua
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I couldn't be happier with the service Roy and Felix provided. They are very professional and reassuring through the entire process when designing my fiance's ring. Both went over and beyond expectations to make sure the ring was perfect and it was.
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Max AdamsMax Adams
00:04 29 Aug 23
Felix was a game changer for my fiancé and I. We had been looking at rings for a couple months before finding Felix. Store front after store front (Janinas, Raffis, Peoples, Tiffany's ect) would often give us the same generic rhetoric about how they have the nicest diamonds, cuts and best deals (a couple stores just looked at us and assumed we weren't worth their time and were rude and short)I get it, that's the game they're in, but if you didn't know this other avenue exists, I can guarantee you, you were swindled out of thousands of dollars and sold short of a really wonderful experience finding the perfect ring. After hearing about the wholesale avenue, we met with a couple of dealers - Felix stood out! He has a very calming energy to him and was very knowledgeable. We never felt like he didn't have the time for us, or that our ignorant questions were below him. He took the time to hear our love story and needs with the ring and gave us many options to work with. We went back and forth for a month as he tweaked the ring via computer models until we were satisfied. This was our biggest purchase to date as a couple and we were probably high maintenance with our requests, but again, I never got the feeling Felix was getting frustrated with us. I was over the moon when I first saw the ring. Nothing in the stores came even close to how nice this ring turned out! It was perfect in my eyes but of course I’m not the one wearing it. I proposed to my fiancé a couple weeks later and she too was over the moon as I swear she spent more time looking at it then me haha (I kid, sort of lol). The ring is truly more than we could have ever of hoped for and I know this review is long, but I can’t state enough how happy we are. I didn’t think I cared about diamonds as much as I do, but after this experience I am now getting one myself for our wedding day too. Thank you Felix, you made an exhausting and frustrating experience, the exact opposite for us 😊
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FAQ

What is an ideal cut for a diamond?

An ideal cut for a diamond maximizes its brilliance and fire.

What is the best-cut quality for a diamond?

The Round Brilliant cut is still the most embraced cut; with its fifty-seven perfectly interlocked facets, it is more dazzling than any other cut. This is where total internal reflection comes in; light moves through the stone, giving the best sparkle and scintillation.

Which cut makes a diamond look bigger?

Elongated cuts like oval, marquise, and pear can make a diamond look more prominent. These shapes cover more surface area than round cuts, giving the illusion of a larger stone. However, the overall appearance depends on the diamond’s carat weight, cut quality, and setting.

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