Learn about Diamond Cuts

To learn how the cut of a diamond affects its brilliance, read on.

When choosing a diamond, you should be familiar with the 4 C's: color, clarity, cut and carat weight. These characteristics help determine the quality and value of each diamond. Although you may be most interested in the obvious shape and carat weight when choosing a diamond, it's important to consider the color and cut, too. The experts at Jewelry By Net select diamonds that combine all 4C's to ensure that you get the best value.

Cut refers to the precise proportions and dimensions of a finished diamond. How a diamond is cut affects the stone's "brilliance," or how much it sparkles. A stone that has been cut properly allows light to enter and refract through the stone, which creates brilliance. A stone that is too shallow or too deep will look dull and lifeless. The most popular shapes are shown in the chart below. Jewelry By Net generally carries diamonds in the 3 most popular shapes: Round, Princess and Marquise.

The cut of a diamond - its roundness, its depth and width, the uniformity of the facets - all determine a diamond's brilliance. Many gemologists consider cut the most important diamond characteristic because even if a diamond has perfect color and clarity, a diamond with a poor cut will have dulled 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.

Too Shallow: Light is lost out the sides causing the diamond to lose brilliance.

Too Deep: Light escapes out the bottom causing the diamond to appear dark and dull.

Cut Determines Brilliance
The diamond's proportions, specifically the depth compared to the diameter, and the diameter of the table compared to the diameter of the diamond, determine how well light will reflect and refract within the diamond.

How a Diamond Handles Light

Good Proportion	Too Deep	Too Shallow

The cut of a diamond helps determine its brilliance.
Please note: Cut should not be confused with shape. To learn about diamond shapes, click here.