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\u201cCut is the only diamond characteristic under human control, and considered by many to be the most important<\/a>,\u201d says diamondideals.com. Here\u2019s a quick guide for you to explain to your customers why diamond cut is so important, and how the diamond cutting process works.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The cut of a diamond has three principal effects on appearance:<\/p>\n Brilliance<\/strong> <\/span>\u2013 the brightness created by the white light reflections from the polished diamond. Diamonds that are too deep or too shallow often return less light and have less brightness. Brilliance is also dependent on contrast. Take for instance, a checkerboard. Even though it doesn\u2019t have as much light return as, say, a white wall does, it looks brighter, especially when it moves.<\/p>\n Fire<\/strong> <\/span>\u2013 the dispersion of light seen as flashes of color. It\u2019s easier to see fire in darker environments like romantic, candlelit restaurants. <\/span>Steep crown angles<\/a> <\/span>and small tables as seen in fancy cuts and antique cuts produce more fire.<\/p>\n Scintillation<\/strong> <\/span>\u2013 the flashes of light and dark, or sparkle, when a diamond or light source is moved. It\u2019s easy to see sparkle in floodlit environments, like the office, or when spot lit. It\u2019s ideal for any diamond to have many sparkles across its surface and not dull patches.<\/p>\n \u201cEven though it has less light return, a checkerboard looks brighter than a white wall because of the contrast between dark and light<\/em>.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Because these properties can create the overall first impression on a potential customer, they also have the most impact on the final sale. When showing diamond jewelry to your customers, make sure to point out the qualities of brilliance, fire and scintillation.<\/p>\n According to expert Akiva Caspi in \u201cModern Diamond Cutting and Polishing<\/a>\u201d (Gems & Gemology, Vol. 33, No. 2, p. 103), \u201cThe cutting process seeks to take advantage of the critical angle of total light reflection within the faceted diamond to achieve the maximum amount of light return through the crown facets<\/a>.\u201d It is the cut that gives the diamond its sparkle and shine, and there is a scientific process to determining how best to achieve this brilliance. The process involves four steps:<\/p>\n Round Brilliant<\/strong> <\/span>\u2013 This is the most popular shape <\/span>and can cost up to 35% more per carat than other shapes<\/a>. The reason for this is two-fold: first of all, due to their popularity (approximately 75% of all diamonds sold) the demand for round diamonds is very high. Secondly, because more of the original stone is lost in the cutting of a round diamond than any other shape, the cost of each carat retained is higher.<\/p>\n Despite the popularity of the round diamond, you are certainly well aware that there are many different shapes for consumers to choose from in today\u2019s marketplace. These other shapes are referred to as \u201cfancies.\u201d<\/p>\n Princess<\/strong> <\/span>\u2013 this is the most popular of the fancy cuts, especially for engagement rings, since due to its many facets, it comes close to mimicking the sparkle and fire of a round diamond. The princess has pointed corners and can be square or rectangular shaped. The four sided pyramid shape is similar to one half of the <\/span>octahedron rough diamond from which princess diamonds are cut. This allows two equally sized princess cut diamonds to be cut from the same rough stone with relatively little waste, effectively lowering the price per carat.<\/p>\n Radiant<\/strong> \u2013 <\/span>like a princess cut, the radiant cut also takes on a square shape with many facets, however its signature feature can be found in its cropped corners. This makes the radiant cut very versatile and popular as it can be easily set with baguettes, square, or round diamonds on the sides.<\/p>\n Oval<\/strong> <\/span>\u2013 this is a modification of the round brilliant with an added benefit that their elongated shape can provide the illusion of larger size. This makes them ideal for a customer that likes the look of a round diamond but is on a limited budget.<\/p>\n Marquis<\/strong> <\/span>\u2013 this is a modification of the oval brilliant cut, long and narrow with two pointed ends. According to diamondtradingcenter.com, the name is derived from the Marquise of Pompadour, for whom King Louis XIV of France allegedly had a stone fashioned to resemble what he considered her perfectly shaped mouth.<\/p>\n Pear<\/strong> \u2013 <\/span>also called a teardrop, this is a combination of the oval and marquis shapes, with one pointed and one rounded end. The graceful lines of a pear shaped diamond impart an elegant air to both the simplest and most elaborate ring settings.<\/p>\n Heart<\/strong> <\/span>\u2013 this cut is a distinctive symbol of love, popular in solitaire pendants as well as rings. The heart shape is a unique symbol of love and very popular for Valentine\u2019s Day gifting.<\/p>\n Emerald (rectangular) and Asscher (square)<\/strong> \u2013 <\/span>these are distinguished by their pavilion, which is cut with rectangular \u201cstep\u201d facets, along with a large open table that produces a hall-of-mirrors effect that many admire. <\/span>According to bluenile.com<\/a>, the large table highlights the clarity of the stone, so be sure to take that into account when choosing a stone of this type.<\/p>\n Cushion<\/strong> <\/span>\u2013 also called pillow cut, is a square shape with rounded corners and larger facets, which increase brilliance. This is one of the earliest diamond cuts and due to modern refinements remains popular today with consumers who are drawn to its antique look.<\/p>\n The cushion cut has been around for nearly 200 years and was the de facto shape of diamonds until the early 20th century. The asscher cut diamond was first produced in 1902 by the Asscher Brothers of Holland. Asscher cut diamonds originally peaked in popularity in the 1920s, before being replaced by the round brilliant, which rose in popularity after the publication of Marcel Tolkowsky’s thesis “Diamond Design: A Study of the Reflection and Refraction of Light in Diamond<\/a>” which described the ideal proportions for a round cut diamond.<\/p>\n Oval diamonds were first cut by Lazare Kaplan in the 1960s and remained the cut of choice until the 1980s when the radiant and princess cuts were introduced by Betzalel Ambar and Israel Itzkowitz.<\/p>\n In 2002, the asscher began to make a comeback, prompted by cut modifications that gave the shape more brilliance than traditional asscher cuts.<\/p>\n As with all fashion and jewelry, diamond shapes follow trends, as certain cuts become popular and others fall out of favor. While round diamonds continue to be the most popular, there is a core group of avant-garde enthusiasts who prefer more unique and different shapes.<\/p>\nImportance of Diamond Cut<\/h3>\n
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<\/p>\nThe Diamond Cutting Process<\/h3>\n
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Popular Diamond Cuts and Shapes<\/h3>\n
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<\/p>\nPopular Shapes Throughout History<\/h3>\n
GIA & AGS Diamond Cut Grading System<\/h3>\n