Diamond
cut is perhaps the most important of the four Cs,
so it is important to understand how this quality
affects the properties and values of a diamond.
A
good cut gives a diamond its brilliance,
which is that brightness that seems to come from
the very heart of a diamond. The angles and
finish of any diamond are what determine its
ability to handle light, which leads to
brilliance.
When
a diamond is well-cut, light enters through the
table and travels to the pavilion where it
reflects from one side to the other before
reflecting back out of the diamond through the
table and to the observer's eye. This light is
the brilliance we mentioned, and it's this
flashing, fiery effect that makes diamonds so
mesmerizing.
In
a poorly cut diamond, the light that enters
through the table reaches the facets and then
'leaks' out from the sides or bottom of the
diamond rather than reflecting back to the eye.
Less light reflected back to the eye means less
brilliance.
Don't
confuse diamond cut with shape. Shape refers to
the general outward appearance of the diamond,
not it's reflective qualities. Begin your search
below, or return to Understanding
Diamonds.
