How to see a Diamonds Cut
When it comes to choosing diamonds, there are many aspects to consider, but most gemologists consider the cut as probably the most important feature when it comes to a gemstone s appearance.
A diamond can have perfect color and clarity but will suffer in value and appearance due to a poor cut because of its dulled appearance.
The cut determines a diamond s brilliance or how light enters the gemstone. A diamond with an ideal or excellent cut grade proportions will return the maximum amount of light to the viewer s eye, making the gem appear more brilliant and beautiful as a result.
When buying a diamond within any budget, it s important to consider the highest cut grade possible to maximize the appearance of your diamond.
The different diamond cut grades by the GIA or the Gemological Institute of America are rated as Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair and Poor. The highest grade from the GIA is only reserved for round brilliant diamonds.
A diamond s cut is important to its overall beauty because it affects its light return properties, which are also known as either as scintillation, fire or brilliance. Scintillation is the sparkling pattern on a diamond s surface, brilliance is the white light that reflects up through the surface, and fire is described as the flash of rainbow-colored light, which reflect off a well-cut diamond.
When looking at a poorly cut diamond, it might appear to be glassy or dull due to dark areas where light has does not pass through properly to reflect back to the viewer s eye. A diamond should not be cut too shallow or too deep, because this affects how light travels through the diamond and how it exits in the form of brilliance.
Measuring the perfect cut for a diamond goes beyond simply determining its width and depth. Using sophisticated computer modeling and an optical measuring device, a three-dimensional model can be created to show the diamond s proportions and angles and determine its different dimensions in order to predict at which cut the light will enter the gem and how it will behave so.
This can measure a diamond s levels of brilliance, fire and scintillation.
When purchasing a diamond, it s important to know about the diamond cut. It s an aspect of the diamond that is defined by a diamond cutter s hand, unlike the color and clarity of a gem, which is determined by nature and not controlled by human hands.
Cutting a diamond to its best proportions requires a degree of precision and skill, which makes an ideally cut diamond all the more rare. Its price tag can also depend largely on the cut, because the better cut the diamond is, the better appearance and brilliance it has, making it more marketable and desirable.
Paul Easton is the Marketing Director for Polished Diamonds. For High Quality Diamond Rings at 1/2 retail shop available at: Polished Diamonds.co.nz - The Diamond Ring Specialist in New Zealand