Cut
The cut determines the sparkle of a diamond. Only through the cut can the human hand influence a natural diamond. When the cut is well-calculated and executed, the diamond refracts light to the maximum, unleashing its magical radiance. If the cut is poorly executed, the diamond appears dull. The quality of the cut is divided into three aspects: symmetry, proportion, and polish.
When we refer to the cut, we are not talking about the diamond shape, such as round brilliant, marquise, or heart-shaped, but only its qualitative execution.
Further down, you will find an illustration of diamond shapes.
We explain what to consider when selecting a diamond in the accompanying diagram.
Diamond Proportions
A diamond is cut in such a way that light rays enter the stone and are reflected within it. With an excellent cut, every light ray is refracted inside the diamond and reflected back out through the top of the diamond. This effect is called total internal reflection and only works with an excellent cut. When diamonds are not cut optimally, light is lost.
The diamond shapes
Admittedly, the various terminologies of diamonds overlap. For instance, when it comes to round diamonds, it is technically correct to refer to them as 'diamonds in brilliant cut.' However, in this context, the term refers to the external shape rather than the cut, as explained above. In the diagram, you can see the common shapes of diamonds.
The 4 C
Carat
What means Carat?
Cut
What means Cut?
Clarity
What means Clarity?
Color
What means Color?
FAQ
Why are diamonds cut? Diamonds are found as rough diamonds. While they have a crystalline form, it is through the process of cutting that they obtain their brilliant sparkle.
Are there "good" and "bad" diamond cuts? Yes, the cut is one of the four characteristics by which diamonds are graded. The cut does not describe the shape of the diamond but rather the quality of how the cut was executed. Diamond cut encompasses three characteristics: symmetry, polish, and proportion. Our small as well as large diamonds all meet the highest quality standard.
What is the difference between diamond shape and diamond cut? Diamond shape and diamond cut are two different things. The diamond cut determines how light is reflected inside the diamond and how the facets interact with light. Diamond shape describes the geometric appearance of the diamond, such as round brilliant, princess, etc. You can see the different diamond shapes at the top of this page.
Is the cut more important? The four Cs (carat weight, color, clarity, and cut) are all important factors in assessing the quality of a diamond. However, the cut does have a significant impact on the overall appearance and sparkle, especially for colorless diamonds. An excellent cut allows diamonds to exhibit brilliance even in low lighting conditions or dark rooms. Therefore, we always recommend a cut with excellent symmetry, polish, and proportions to maximize the diamond's beauty.