Diamond cut is one of the “four Cs” used to determine the overall quality, and therefore the price, of a diamond. Most diamond certificates will include a rating of the diamond’s cut, and, all other things being equal, a diamond with a better cut grade will command a higher price.
While the other three criteria (clarity, color, and carat weight) are relatively straightforward and simple enough that they can be understood and assessed by anyone, cut is a much more complex variable.
The methods for determining a diamond’s cut rating can vary depending on who is making the assessment, and, to further complicate the matter from the buyer’s perspective, some certificates don’t explain in much detail what criteria they used to grade a diamond’s cut.
That being said, if you’re thinking of buying a diamond, it would be well worth the time it takes to understand what different cut grades mean, how they’re determined, and what influence they have on a diamond’s price. This knowledge makes you better able to determine for yourself what a diamond’s price should be, distinguish a good deal from a bad one, and make the best possible investment when buying diamonds.
What is diamond cut?
In simple terms, the cut grade of a diamond refers to the “light performance” of a diamond, meaning the degree to which the diamond retains and reflects the light that enters it. A diamond with a good cut will be highly reflective and exhibit the best possible amount of sparkle. Conversely, diamonds that “leak” light through the bottom or side are usually cut too shallow or deep respectively, and they will thus have 婚戒 a less favourable cut grade.
Since it’s widely acknowledged that the aforementioned sparkle or brilliance is what gives diamonds their unique beauty, it follows that cut is what separates the most stunning diamonds from just ordinary ones.
It should be noted that “cut” in this sense does not refer to the intended shape of the diamond. If you’ve ever browsed for diamonds, you’ve probably come across terms like “Princess cut,” “Asscher cut,” “Emerald cut,” and so on. These refer only to stylized diamond shapes, and are not an indication of a cut rating.
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