Diamond Cuts Explained

 
Diamond cuts are not to be taken lightly when shopping for jewelry. In fact, when it comes to choosing a dazzling diamond ring or any other piece of jewelry, the cut may be the most important decision you make.
 
Even flawless diamonds will look dull and less than brilliant with the wrong cut. Other factors such as the color and clarity of the diamond will be less admirable if the diamond cut is anything less than ideal. The cut is what gives diamond jewelry its style and it also helps to minimize any obvious flaws in the stone itself.
 
Choosing A Cut
 
Shallow, ideal and deep are the three types of diamond cuts.
 
1. Shallow - If a diamond is cut too shallow, it won't reflect much light, and therefore will have a duller appearance. The shallow cut is not what you're looking for if you want a quality piece of diamond jewelry.
 
2. Deep - Even though a deep cut diamond will appear larger than it actually is, it will also be dark and dull because the light will not reflect off the top of the diamond because it becomes lost from the sides of the diamond.
 
3. Ideal - Last but certainly not least... as it name states, the best cut for a diamond is the ideal cut. The ideal cut is a more balanced cut, not too deep and not too shallow. The ideal cut reflects light at just the right angle for a bright, brilliant looking diamond that shines.
 
Why is the Cut so Important?
 
The ideal cut allows light to bounce off the top of the diamond at just the right angle to create a dazzling, brilliant effect. When the light bounces off the sides or the bottom of the diamond, the effect is a dull, lack-luster stone that lacks color and clarity. The all-important diamond cut also determines the overall grade of the diamond.
 
Modern professional jewelers use advanced computer software to help them determine diamond cuts that will create the most brilliant diamonds. The quality of the diamond cut is dependent on the width and depth of the cut. For an ideal cut, the width and depth measurements need to be balanced.
 
By keeping this factor in mind when shopping for diamonds, you'll make a well-informed purchase and get the most brilliant diamond for your money.
 
Related Article: Diamond Clarity Guidelines