Diamond Cut

The measures of proportions and angles of a diamond describe its particular cut. These proportions and angles determine the light presentation of a diamond.

While nature determines the clarity of a diamond, its carat weight and its color, diamonds are cut into many different shapes depending upon the original form of the uncut diamond. Cutting a diamond requires proficiency and craftsmanship in order to bring about the fire, sparkle and beauty of a diamond. The ability of a diamond to reflect light determines its display of fire and brilliance.

A raw diamond is cut to various facets or flat surfaces. These facets follow a mathematical formula and are placed at fixed angles in relation to each other. This relationship is designed to maximize the amount of light reflected through the diamond, which in turn can increase the overall beauty of a diamond.

The cut of a diamond refers to its proportions. A diamond should be well cut, that is to say, with adequate proportions, so that light will reflect from one mirror-like facet to another and disperse through the top of the diamond, resulting in a display of brilliance and fire.

When diamonds are cut too deep or too shallow, they lose light, which is reflected through the side or bottom of the diamond, instead of the top. As a result, poorly cut diamonds will be less brilliant, less beautiful, and certainly less valuable than diamonds that are well cut. In terms of diamond quality, well cut diamonds reflect light better, are more brilliant, are more beautiful, and thus more valuable.