Diamonds are the birthstone of this month, so we’ll focus on how they’re graded over the next several weeks, using the 4 C’s: Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat Weight. Cut is arguably the most important of the 4 C’s, so it seems fitting to discuss it first.
Cut is what gives a diamond its sparkle. The definition of cut is how well a diamond’s facets interact with light. There are 3 main types of light reflection:
- Brightness: Internal and external white light reflected from a diamond
- Fire: The scattering of white light into all the colors of the rainbow
- Scintillation: The amount of sparkle a diamond produces, and the pattern of light and dark areas caused by reflections within the diamond
There are several different grades of cut, ranging from ideal to poor. Whenever possible, aim for the highest grade you can, such as ideal or excellent, to produce the most sparkle and brightness!
Symmetry and polish of the finished gem are also considered when grading cut. All these factors combine to create a beautiful stone.
Breakdown of a stone’s cut measurements that are considered:
