Diamond Cut Guide

When people talk about a diamond’s “cut,” they’re often thinking about the shape—like round, oval, or pear. However, in the world of gemology, cut refers to something far more sophisticated—and powerful. The cut of a diamond refers to the craftsmanship and precision with which the diamond is faceted from its rough form. It is also different from diamond shape; and focuses explicitly on how the facets are arranged and proportioned. The cut of the diamond, in many ways, is the most important diamond quality, as it has a direct impact on the stone’s ability to transmit light and, of course, sparkling qualities.

When it comes to figuring out what makes each diamond sparkle the way it does, it's ultimately about the components that formulate its cut. These parts all interact together to create aspects of how light interacts with the diamond and establishes how much brilliance, fire, and sparkle you will see when light strikes the stone.

Proportions are the relative measurements and angles of the properties of the diamond’s facets, including the table (the flat surfaces on top), the crown (the upper part above the girdle), the pavilion (the lower part below the girdle), and depth (the distance from the table to the culet). Good proportions are diamonds that have been cut to ideal dimensions to maximize the reflection and refraction of light, thus maximizing the diamond's brilliance and sparkle!

Symmetry is the evaluation of the arrangement and consistency of the facets of the diamond. Symmetrical facets ensure that light is distributed evenly throughout the diamond. This will create a visual effect and enhance the light performance of the diamond. Diamonds with excellent symmetry will have facet arrangements that are well balanced, contributing to light performance and brilliance.

Polish refers to the smoothness and quality of the diamond's surface. A high-quality polish ensures that light can pass through the diamond without obstruction, maximizing its brilliance and sparkle. Diamonds with excellent polish exhibit a mirror-like finish, enhancing their overall beauty and luster.

Brilliance is defined by the brightness or intensity of the white light reflected from the surface and interior of the diamond. A diamond that is well cut will have excellent brilliance with light bouncing off the facets and creating incredible brightness and sparkle all around.

Fire refers to the captivating show of spectral colors that develop when white light is separated as it travels through the perfectly cut diamond. Ideally cut diamonds with higher amounts of dispersion will create a broad spectrum of colors as they scatter the light, producing sparks of red, orange, yellow, green, or blue, adding to their visual allure and beauty. Fire is especially prominent in diamonds with well-defined facets and optimal light performance.

Scintillation refers to the pattern of light and dark areas that result from reflections within the diamond as it moves under the light or is viewed from different angles. Diamonds with excellent scintillation have facets that split white light into a spectrum of colors. This will add depth and dynamism to the diamond's appearance, exhibiting lively and dynamic flashes of light.

Our top-tier cut grade, Ideal, represents the finest in diamond craftsmanship. These diamonds are cut to precise proportions that maximize light performance—delivering exceptional brilliance, fire, and scintillation. An Ideal cut allows the diamond to look magnificent in all light and maintains perfectly symmetrical and polish symmetry that enhances the overall beauty of the diamond.

Diamonds in this grade reflect most of the light that enters the stone, offering impressive sparkle that appears brilliant to the naked eye. While not as meticulously cut as Ideal diamonds, Very Good cut diamonds are crafted with excellent proportions and symmetry that deliver noticeable brilliance, fire, and scintillation. This cut grade is a favorite among buyers who want premium sparkle without reaching the price point of Ideal, offering a smart balance between beauty and value.

Good cut diamonds have great, only somewhat imperfect proportions—this leads to beautiful fire and brilliance. Good cut diamonds may not offer the same amount of brilliance seen from the higher cut grades but still have a pleasing amount of sparkle and shine. Depending on the other 4 C's, Good cut diamonds often provide good value and are available at a price lower than the other diamonds.

Fair cut diamonds exhibit limited light refraction compared to higher cut grades, often characterized by gray areas surrounding the crown or areas of darkness within the stone. These diamonds provide a budget-friendly option for customers seeking diamond jewelry with moderate sparkle and radiance while still maintaining quality standards.

Poor cut diamonds may have significant deviations in proportions and symmetry, resulting in limited brilliance and fire. Poor cut diamonds are generally not advisable since the light is spilling out of the pavilion, culet, or both. Please note that Lucenjuri does not carry Poor cut diamonds. Every Lucenjuri diamond is carefully curated to ensure it meets our commitment to beauty, value, and enduring craftsmanship.

Diamond cuts refer to the way a diamond has been faceted and shaped to reflect light—and ultimately, to sparkle. Although the term "cut" is often used with "shape" (as in the shape of a diamond), in this context it means the style or pattern of faceting used on the diamond.

There are several key diamond cuts, each with its own visual appeal and light performance. Understanding these styles can help you choose a diamond that aligns with your aesthetic preferences:

The brilliant cut is an ever-popular cut featuring a round shape and 57 or 58 facets, which reflect light in a way no other cut can. It’s a classic for engagement rings and known for its superior light reflection.

Modified brilliant-cut diamonds are variations of traditional brilliant cuts, featuring alterations to the facet arrangement or proportions to create unique shapes and designs. Examples include the Pear Cut, Oval Cut, and Marquise Cut.

A step-cut diamond will have faceting that runs parallel to the girdle in a series of steps. The cut is known for its elegant faceting, with a classic clean look. They create a “hall of mirrors” effect with a sleek, sophisticated appearance. Examples include the Emerald Cut and Asscher Cut.

Rose-cut diamonds are flat on the bottom and have a dome-shaped crown filled with triangular facets reminiscent of rose petals. The rose-cut style has a vintage, romantic look and typically produces a softer sparkle than brilliant cuts.

Mixed cut diamonds are just like they sound—they are a combination of brilliant cuts and step cuts. These styles have both brilliant cut crowns and step cut pavilions. Their crown is more like a brilliant cut diamond while their pavilion is more like a step cut. The Princess Cut and Cushion Cut are examples of mixed-cut diamonds.

Vintage-cuts refer to diamond cutting styles that were popular in earlier eras, typically before modern diamond-cutting technology was developed. These cuts have distinct characteristics that set them apart from contemporary cuts and are often sought after for their unique charm and historical significance. Two popular cuts are the Old Mine Cut and European Cut. In recent years, the Vintage cut has become a more popular category among collectors and diamond enthusiasts. These unique diamonds produce a softer, romantic sparkle which many collectors enjoy!

When it comes to maximizing a diamond’s visual beauty, cut is king. A well-cut diamond doesn’t just sparkle—it radiates life. Below is how to determine the best cut grade to maximize brilliance, fire and visual appeal:

Look for diamonds with cut grades rated as Ideal. This grade indicate superior craftsmanship and precision in the diamond's cutting, ensuring optimal light reflection and dispersion for maximum brilliance and fire.

Pay attention to the proportions and symmetry of the diamond, as these factors play a crucial role in determining its brilliance and fire. Diamonds with Excellent proportions and symmetrical facets tend to exhibit superior light performance and sparkle.

When choosing a diamond, look for one with great light performance. The terms brilliance, fire, and scintillation are indicators that the diamond gives a lot of light return. A diamond will give light return when the stone reflects and refracts light well thus putting off the most sparkle and brightness.

Look through the cut quality metrics such as polish, symmetry, and proportions from a reputable grading lab such as IGI. Looking at metrics can help understand the diamond and overall cut quality, which tells you about the diamonds potential for brilliance and fire.

If there is ever uncertainty, do not hesitate to reach out to our diamond experts knowledgeable in all aspects of light performance. They will assist you in determining all of the cut grades and what diamonds truly meet your specifications for brilliance and fire. You are guaranteed to make an informed decision and choose a diamond that truly sparkles and shines.