JP Diamonds - The Four Cs - The Cut
In every diamond the angular proportions are referred to as the cut. The cut of a diamond is often muddled with its shape. A diamonds can be cut into many different shapes, all depend upon the original rough (uncut) diamond.
A diamond's capacity to reflect light determines its display of fire and brilliance. The most common cut of diamond has 58 facets, the facets of a diamond are level surfaces. The facets are placed at precise angles in relation to each other. This is done to maximize the amount of light reflected through the diamond and to increase its sparkle.
Well cut - Diamond Cut
Light is reflected from one facet to another and then dispersed through the top of the stone when a diamond is cut to proper proportions.Deep Cut - Diamond Cut
Light escapes through the opposite side of the pavilion of the cut of a diamond is too deep.Shallow Cut - Diamond Cut
Light escapes through the pavilion before it can be reflected if a diamond is cut too shallow.
The cut, or proportion, of a diamond is measured in percentages relative to the diameter of its girdle. The girdle diameter of each diamond is always considered 100%. Example: The girdle of a diamond measures 10 millimetres (100%). The table measures 5.6 millimetres. The total depth measurement is 6.1 millimetres. The diamond would be described as having a table of 56% and a depth of 61%. The table and depth percentages are the key to determining good proportions.
Very Good - Diamond Cut
This scope is balanced between precise proportions and price considerations. Viewed by many as the best overall value in beauty and price.Excellent - Diamond Cut
This scope is also of great beauty yet slightly more flexible regarding percentages. Many experts prefer the appearance of this range to Ideal.
Ideal - Diamond Cut
This scope is very strict and combines the best in brilliance and fire. Technically, the head of the class.
How Do I Know If A Diamond Is Well Cut?
A well cut diamond is the secret to a beautiful and brilliant diamond. Like beauty itself, the true meaning of “well cut� is often found in the eye of the beholder. While you may prefer a particular set of proportions, someone else might prefer slightly different proportions. Personal preference, even among experts, will always be
an issue in defining the best cut. Think of Ideal, Excellent and Very Good as rings in a bull's eye. These classifications for cut represent an acceptable range for that category. The ranges narrow as you move toward Ideal at the centre. Ideal has the narrowest range, with Excellent slightly larger and Very Good the largest. All three of these categories fall within the "well cut" classification.
In the pursuit of classifying the most indiscernible differences in the proportions of a diamond, specialists have produced sophisticated machinery that measure all aspects that would otherwise be undetectable to the naked eye. This has ultimately led to strict standards of classification that provide the customer the capacity to make a decision regarding the cut and a decision based on scientific fact.
As there are many different diamond shapes, the proportions are not the same as for round diamonds. These other diamond shapes therefore require their own guiding criteria. To maximise the fire and brilliance of a diamond the figures will be different the depth and table, there are optimal mathematical differences inherent with each stone shape.
Girdle - Diamond Cut
The outer edge of a diamond is referred to as the girdle, this can be icy in appearance, or finished fully polished. More often this is a reflection of the diamond cutter's preference and does not affect the overall value of the diamond. The thickness of the girdle is the rating used and is generally expressed as:
Extremely Thin; Very Thin; Thin; Medium; Slightly Thick; Thick; Very Thick; or Extremely ThickIt is advised that when purchasing a diamond to select a girdle that is not Extremely Thin or Extremely Thick.Culet - Diamond Cut
The facet at the bottom of the diamond is referred to as the culet. A diamond culet is measured by whether it has one or not and relates to the size if it does, generally graded as:
None or Pointed, Very Small, Small, Medium, Slightly Large, Large, Very Large, and Extremely LargeSmaller is more desirable.Polish - Diamond Cut
A diamond is not chipped away to form its shape, it is ground down and then polished to achieve the smooth outer appearance. The polish of a diamond is generally defined as:Poor, Fair, Good, Very Good, or ExcellentThe diamond cutter carefully forms every facet to shine and be free from polishing imperfections. This is a highly skilled job despite the technology now used to aid in the creation of cut diamonds.Symmetry - Diamond Cut
It is important that the symmetry of a diamond is sharp and precise. If the facets are not joined correctly the diamond can appear off. Symmetry is the characteristic that refers to the positioning of the facets, or flat surfaces. The symmetry of a diamond is generally defined as:Poor, Fair, Good, Very Good, or Excellent
A grade of Good or above is considered advisable when purchasing a diamond.Fluorescence - Diamond Cut
When a diamond is exposed to ultraviolet light (UV), many diamonds will give off a blue colouration. There are various shades of fluorescence. However, blue is the most common. The fluorescence of a diamond is defined by its intensity, either:None, Faint, Medium, Strong, or Very StrongMost of the time fluorescence isn't an issue unless the intensity is Strong or Very Strong. In the very high colours D, E, and F, Strong fluorescence is considered less desirable. Ironically, in slightly lower colours of J and below, Strong fluorescence is desirable.
