Diamond Cut
What Is Diamond Cut?
The most important of the 4Cs—cut—refers to how a diamond’s facets interact with light. It is determined by symmetry, polish, and proportion. More than any other factor in diamonds, cut determines the beauty of the stone. Gittelson diamonds, from the smallest to the largest of stones, are sourced to exacting standards.
Why is diamond cut important?
If a diamond is cut poorly, it will appear dull even if it has a high color and clarity grade. If a diamond is cut well, it will reflect and refract light for maximum brightness and sparkle. At Gittelson Jewelers, we are committed to sourcing beautifully proportioned diamonds. This dedication to our focus on diamonds and engagement rings is what makes Gittelson Jewelers stand out from the crowd as a family-owned business.
What Impacts Cut Quality?
The cut is the only one of the 4Cs that is affected by human hands. Two diamonds may have the same clarity, color, and carat weight, but the cut is what determines whether or not one is superior to the other. The “cut” is responsible for the quality and degree of a diamond’s sparkle. There are three factors that determine a diamond’s cut:
Precision of cut
How the size and angles relate to the different parts of the stone.
Symmetry
How precisely the various facets of a diamond align and intersect.
Polish
The details and placement of the facet shapes as well as the outside finish of the diamond.
The highest cut grade in the industry, triple excellent, is given to a diamond with an “excellent” rating in the precision of cut, symmetry, and polish.
Diamond-Cut Chart
While most jewelers accept “very good,” “good,” “fair” and “poor” cuts, Gittelson Jewelers refuses to compromise by selecting our diamonds to meet exceptional standards. Diamonds are sometimes cut too deep or too shallow, allowing light to escape through the sides and bottom. They can also have misaligned facets, which interrupts the movement of light.
The following gemological standards in this section refer only to engagement diamonds set in certain ring styles.
Diamond-Cut Chart
While most jewelers accept “very good,” “good,” “fair” and “poor” cuts, Gittelson Jewelers refuses to compromise by selecting our diamonds to meet exceptional standards. Diamonds are sometimes cut too deep or too shallow, allowing light to escape through the sides and bottom. They can also have misaligned facets, which interrupts the movement of light.
The following gemological standards in this section refer only to engagement diamonds set in certain ring styles.
Types of Diamond Cuts
All Gittelson Jewelers diamond selections are masterfully cut to maximize brilliance. There are three diamond cuts used to craft every diamond shape: brilliant cut, step cut, and mixed cut.
Brilliant Cut
The brilliant-cut is the most popular facet arrangement. It is made of triangular and kite-shaped facets, all arranged to optimize brilliance or light return. The round brilliant diamond, which has 57 to 58 facets, is the most brilliant of the diamond cuts. Cushion, oval, marquise, pear, and heart-shaped diamonds are also cut using the brilliant faceting style and are similar to the round brilliant in its degree of sparkle.
Brilliant Cut
The brilliant-cut is the most popular facet arrangement. It is made of triangular and kite-shaped facets, all arranged to optimize brilliance or light return. The round brilliant diamond, which has 57 to 58 facets, is the most brilliant of the diamond cuts. Cushion, oval, marquise, pear, and heart-shaped diamonds are also cut using the brilliant faceting style and are similar to the round brilliant in its degree of sparkle.
Step Cut
Step-cut diamonds have trapezoidal facets that run parallel to the diamond’s girdle. This somewhat remembers a flight of stairs. This faceting style emphasizes a diamond’s color and clarity. The emerald cut is one of the most well-known step cut diamonds.
Mixed Cut
Mixed cuts have a combination of brilliant and step-cut facets. The most popular mixed cut diamond is the princess cut, which is the second-most popular diamond shape behind round cuts.
Mixed Cut
Mixed cuts have a combination of brilliant and step-cut facets. The most popular mixed cut diamond is the princess cut, which is the second-most popular diamond shape behind round cuts.
The 4 Cs
Clarity
Clarity is a measure of the purity and rarity of the stone.
Color
Color refers to the natural tint inherent in white diamonds.
Carat
Carat denotes the weight of the diamond; not the size.