A diamond’s shine heavily depends on its cut. A well-cut diamond enhances its brilliance, fire, and overall visual appeal. It will capture light which will reflect internally creating a sparkle. Poorly cut diamonds on the other hand may leak light, resulting in less brilliance. A diamond’s cut is not just its shape, it’s how well it reflects light. There are different cut grades, the higher the cut grade, the brighter the diamond.
A diamond's cut is not its shape, it's how well it reflects light. There are different cut grades, the higher the cut grade, the brighter the diamond.
Round Brilliant Cut
The Round Brilliant Cut is the most popular and classic diamond cut, featuring a circular shape with 58 or 57 facets, allowing for optimal light reflection. Its symmetry and proportions contribute exceptional sparkle and brilliance. This cut is versatile as it is suitable for various jewelry settings and styles.
A classic. Our logo represents a side view of the round cut.
Princess Cut
The princess Cut is a square or rectangular cut with pointed corners, known for its modern and elegant appearance. Its sharp corners and the unique way light interacts with the numerous facets creates a distinctive sparkle. This cut is very popular for engagement rings. It is also a versatile cut that can be used in different jewelry designs.
Emerald Cut
The Emerald Cut is rectangular with cut corners, known for its elegant, step-cut facets that create a hall-of-mirrors effect. Through its rectangular shape and open table, the clarity of the diamond will be put forward. This cut is often chosen for statement pieces as its design is associated with a vintage and sophisticated aesthetic.
Oval Cut
The Oval Cut is an elongated, elliptical shape that combines the brilliance of a Round Brilliant Cut with a unique, elongated silhouette. The oval shape is popular for engagement rings as it creates an illusion of longer fingers. It is the perfect balance of sparkle and elegance.
Other Fancy Shapes
- Marquise Cut: boat-shaped cut with pointed ends, creating an elongated and regal appearance.
- Pear Cut: combination of a round and marquise shape, resembling a teardrop with a rounded end and a pointed end.
- Asscher Cut: square shape with cropped corners and step-cut facets, known for its vintage and Art Deco appeal.
- Radiant Cut: rectangular or square cut with trimmed corners, offering a brilliant cut with a unique facet arrangement.
We encourage you to consider your personal preferences and style when choosing a diamond cut. The choice of diamond cut is a highly personal decision and depends on individual taste. We suggest trying on different diamond shapes and cuts to see which one resonates the most. Many jewellers allow customers to view and try on various styles before making a decision.
Additional tips:
- Certain cuts may be more suitable for specific settings and jewelry designs.
- Different cuts may have varying price points, allowing buyers to align their choices with their budget.
- Caution against prioritizing carat weight over cut quality, as a smaller, well-cut diamond can appear more brilliant than a larger, poorly cut one.
- Do not overlook the cut grade, as it significantly affects a diamond's visual appeal. A well-cut diamond may come with a premium, but the investment is worthwhile for the enhanced visual appeal.
The diamond color scale ranges from D (colorless) to Z (light yellow or brown). D is considered the highest and most rare grade, while Z has noticeable color. Gemologists use controlled lighting conditions to assess the absence of color in diamonds.
The right balance between color and budget is subjective and depends on individual preferences. Here are some elements to take into consideration during your shopping spree:
- The choice of setting and metal can influence the perceived color of a diamond. White gold or platinum settings may enhance the appearance of a near colorless diamond, while yellow gold can complement warmer tones.
- Caution against prioritizing color for smaller diamonds, as the differences may be less noticeable in smaller sizes.
Clarity refers to the presence of internal characteristics (inclusions) and external imperfections (blemishes) in a diamond.
Crystals are small mineral deposits trapped within the diamond during its formation. They can appear as tiny, clear or colored crystals. Depending on size and location, small crystals may be invisible to the naked eye. Larger crystals, especially if centrally located, may affect brilliance and transparency. Colored crystals might introduce hints of color to the diamond.
Feathers are fractures or cleavages within the diamond that resemble the appearance of feathers. They can vary in size and shape. Small feathers may not be visible without magnification, while larger ones might be seen with the naked eye. If feathers reach the surface, they can impact durability and may catch light, creating a visible inclusion.
Clouds are clusters of tiny, pinprick-sized crystals within the diamond. When these clusters are close together, they form a hazy appearance. Small clouds may not be noticeable, but denser clusters may affect transparency and brilliance. In extreme cases, clouds might make the diamond look milky or hazy.
Scratches are minute linear marks on the diamond's surface, often caused by contact with other materials. Small scratches may be polished out during the cutting process, while larger or more numerous scratches can affect the diamond's overall brilliance and reflectivity.
Naturals are parts of the original diamond rough left on the polished diamond, usually on or near the girdle. Small or well-placed naturals may not impact the appearance significantly. However, larger or poorly positioned naturals may be visible and affect the overall symmetry and aesthetics.
Pits are tiny openings on the diamond's surface, often resembling small dimples or dots. Small pits may not be noticeable, but larger or numerous pits can affect the diamond's brilliance and reflectivity. They may also trap dirt and affect the diamond's cleanliness.
The clarity grading scale ranges from flawless to included. The diamond’s overall beauty will be determined by the size, position and quantity of inclusions or blemishes.
When determining preferences and priorities, here's a few aspects to take into consideration:
- While flawless diamonds command a premium, diamonds with slight inclusions (VS1 to SI1) may offer a good balance between appearance and cost. These diamonds may still appear pristine to the naked eye.
- The impact of clarity may vary based on diamond size. Smaller diamonds may conceal inclusions more effectively, allowing for a lower clarity grade without compromising appearance.
- Purchasing a certified diamond (e.g. GIA) provides buyers with detailed information about a diamond’s clarity characteristics. Transparency helps you make an informed decision
Carat is the unit of measurement for a diamond's weight, with one carat equal to 200 milligrams. Larger diamonds have higher carat weights.
Carat weight is just one of the four Cs, alongside cut, color, and clarity. Consider all factors together to find a balanced and visually appealing diamond. Larger carat weights often come with higher price tags.
Two diamonds with the same carat weight may appear different in size based on other factors like cut and shape. A well-cut diamond may appear larger than its actual carat weight suggests. Diamonds with shallow cuts or certain shapes, like oval or marquise, may have a larger appearance.
Halo settings or using a bezel setting can also create an illusion of a larger diamond. Additionally, a smaller hand or finger size can make a diamond appear larger.
The visual impact of a diamond goes beyond carat weight. A well-balanced combination of cut, color, and clarity contributes to the overall beauty and price of a diamond.
- Prioritize cut when selecting a diamond, as it plays a vital role in maximizing its beauty.
- When evaluating a diamond in person, consider the play of light (natural and artificial), sparkle and overall aesthetics
- Use gemological tools such as color grading charts and comparison stones
- Always ask if the diamond is certified.
Hopefully you now feel empowered to go diamond shopping. If you’d like to meet one of our custom jewelry design experts, you can book an appointment HERE.
Our retail collection features jewelry made exclusively with natural diamonds, ensuring each piece radiates timeless beauty and authenticity.
For those interested in lab-created diamonds, we invite you to explore our specially curated "Lab Diamonds Collection," where you'll find stunning alternatives crafted with the same care and precision.
Additionally, our bespoke services provide you with the flexibility to choose between lab-created and natural diamonds. We are committed to helping you find or create jewelry that resonates with your style and values. If you don’t find exactly what you’re looking for among our selection, we are more than happy to collaborate with you to bring your unique vision to life.
We hope you enjoy browsing through our offerings and discovering pieces that inspire you. Please feel free to reach out to us with any questions or to discuss your custom jewelry needs.
We look forward to assisting you on your journey to find or create the perfect piece of jewelry.
