Everything You Need to Know About Diamond Cuts
Diamond cut is perhaps the most important of the 4 Cs of diamonds (cut, colour, clarity and carat), but what is it and how does it affect the overall beauty of a diamond? In this article, our experts explain how the diamond cut affects the quality of the stone and what you should know before you buy a diamond.
How is the diamond cut graded?
When buying a diamond, it can help to be aware of the four Cs and the GIA grading system to obtain the best quality. The grades work as a guide, and each grade can refer to a varying scale of quality.
The grades for diamond cut include:
- Poor
- Fair
- Good
- Very Good
- Excellent
As you have probably guessed, the best diamond to buy would be marked somewhere between ‘Very Good’ and ‘Excellent’ on the grading scale. However, it’s worth noting that a quality jeweller would only craft their pieces from diamonds that are graded highly.
Bespoke Diamond Jewellery from Mitchel and Co
Mitchel and Co are an independent, family-run jeweller based in the heart of the Jewellery Quarter in Birmingham.
We specialise in tailor-made diamond rings, handcrafting each of our pieces in our on-site workshop to create something truly unique for you.
To begin your bespoke journey, book an appointment with our team of experts, or you can browse our stunning collection online.
Why is the diamond cut important?
The diamond’s cut makes a huge difference in the way that light passes through the stone. In essence, the better the cut, the better the sparkle!
In some instances, the diamond’s cut may be compromised to save more of the stone during the polishing process. This allows diamond merchants to say that the diamond has a larger carat, which means a larger stone weight.
Always remember – bigger does not necessarily mean better when it comes to diamonds.
However, a poor cut can result in light leakage, which refers to the lack of light reflection from the stone. For example, if a stone is cut too flat or shallow, light can leak through the bottom of the stone and the diamond will not appear as luminous to the eye.
Light is important to the appearance of a diamond because it affects fire and brightness. The fire of the diamond refers to the refracted colour, and brightness is the level of light return and contrast pattern. Both of these affect the overall beauty of the stone. At the end of the day, the better the diamond cut, the better the fire and brightness.
What is diamond cut?
The diamond cut does not refer to the shape of the diamond. Instead, it is based on the proportions of the diamond and the symmetrical angles of the stone; all of which are cut and polished into the diamond by a professional. The diamond’s cut can dramatically alter the brilliance of the diamond.
Out of the four Cs of diamonds, the diamond cut is the only one that is not altered by nature. The diamond cut is essential to showcase the quality of the stone. You can have a high-quality diamond, but if it is cut poorly, it won’t be as luminous as it otherwise could be.
Tailored and
made for you
Not seeing exactly what you want? We can design and craft a bespoke ring to your exact specifications, creating something absolutely unique to you.
Craft your perfect ring