Diamonds 101: Diamond Cut
The "cut" of a diamond means the proportions and angles of a diamond- not the shape such as round, or princess. A properly cut diamond will refract the light that enters the diamond and return it through the top to produce the highly desired sparkle - the "fire" quality of diamonds we all look for. In an ideally-proportioned diamond, all of the light entering the diamond from the top will bounce within the diamond and be reflected back through the top, giving the stone maximum brilliance and dispersion. If the diamond is too shallow or too deep, some light will escape through the bottom part of the diamond, giving the appearance of shadows when viewed from the top (See chart above).When a diamond is well cut there is a good balance of brilliance (white light) and dispersion (spectral colors). The diamond has brilliant sparkle.
| Round Brilliant Cut | Ideal(AGS)/Excellent(GIA)Cut | Very Good Cut(GIA) |
|---|---|---|
| Girdle | 2.2% | 1.8% to 3.9% |
| Pavilion Depth | 42.2% to 43.8% | 41.7% to 44.3% |
| Total Depth % | 59.5 - 62.3 | 58.5 - 62.9 |
| Table % | 53% to 58% | 58% to 60% |
| Crown Angle | 33.7° to 35.8° | 32.7° to 36.3° |
Cut | Color | Clarity | Carat