| Perhaps you have heard about the 4 Cs of a | | | | play in determining the stone's value. The stone's |
| diamond. For those who are not very well familiar | | | | proportions especially its depth and diameter can |
| with it, the 4 Cs refers to the diamond's cut, | | | | determine how much brilliance the stone can |
| clarity, color and carat weight. | | | | produce. |
| To what does a diamond's cut refer? Is it the | | | | As stated in the beginning of this article, the cut |
| same as the gem's shape? | | | | of the diamond is very important. As such, |
| Perhaps one of the most confusing attributes of | | | | several grading methods have been established to |
| a diamond is its cut. Some mistakenly use it | | | | work as a guide for the consumers. Hence, a |
| interchangeably with the diamond's shape but it is | | | | diamond can fall below these categories:o Ideal |
| significantly much more than that. Shape simply | | | | Cut: Ideally cut diamonds have smaller tables and |
| refers to the general exterior appearance of the | | | | maximum brilliance. These types of diamonds are |
| diamond. As such, a diamond may be round, oval | | | | for those who genuinely appreciate the finer |
| or pear, to name a few. | | | | things in life. However, ideal cuts can only be |
| The diamond's cut, on the other hand, refers to | | | | applied to round diamonds.o Premium Cut: Most |
| the stone's reflective qualities or how the stone | | | | premium cut diamonds (especially the round ones) |
| reflects the light that shines through it. Generally | | | | have ideally the same quality as those of ideal cut |
| speaking, the better the quality of the cut, the | | | | diamonds but are priced slightly lower.o Very |
| more brilliance the stone will reflect. | | | | Good Cut: In this case, brilliance is sacrificed for |
| So, how does a diamond create that mesmerizing | | | | size. The reflective quality is still very satisfactory |
| brilliance for which it has been famous? To | | | | but in an effort to create bigger diamonds, the |
| understand how a diamond gives off its unique | | | | proportions are slightly altered by the cutters.o |
| sparkle, let us take a little peep in the anatomy of | | | | Good Cut: Like in the previous grade, cutters |
| this precious stone. | | | | have sacrificed some brilliance in order to create |
| In a well-cut diamond, light enters through the | | | | the biggest possible diamond from the original |
| large, flat top of the stone, which is commonly | | | | stone. These stones are for budget-conscious |
| referred to as the table. The light then travels all | | | | consumers who still want good quality diamonds.o |
| the way through the lower portion of the stone | | | | Fair and Poor Cuts: Diamonds under this category |
| (called the pavilion or the base) and is reflected | | | | reflects only a small portion of the light that |
| from one side to the other before being sent | | | | passes through it. These stones are those, which |
| back to the base and the observer's eyes. This is | | | | are cut to maximize carat weight. |
| the brilliance or the "fire" that we see! | | | | You can now clearly see how the cut correlates |
| In poorly cut diamonds, however, the amount of | | | | with the brilliance and hence, the value of the |
| light reflected back to the base is significantly less. | | | | diamond. However, selecting the grade of the cut |
| This is because a fraction of the light that enters | | | | really depends on the buyer's personal |
| through the stone leaks out from the sides or the | | | | preferences. It is entirely up to you whether to |
| bottom of the diamond. Less reflected light | | | | choose brilliance over size or if it is the other way |
| amounts to less brilliance. | | | | around! |
| The diamond's cut definitely has a great role to | | | | |