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DIAMOND EDUCATION

DIAMOND EDUCATION

Read about the 4C's, the different diamond shapes and types as well as various certifications and how to care for loose diamonds.

Polish

The diamond polish is determined during manufacturing, enhancing its shine and finish. It affects the diamond's sparkle, affecting its assigned cut grade. Skilled artisans carefully smooth the diamond's surface, reducing microscopic imperfections to maximize light reflection. The polishing process requires precision and expertise to achieve the desired level of sparkle, adding value to the gem. Graded by GIA from Excellent to Fair & Poor, it assesses the visibility of polish lines and blemishes under 10x magnification, with higher grades ensuring optimal light performance and brilliance.

Symmetry

Diamond symmetry pertains to the precise arrangement, size, and shape of its facets, a factor entirely dictated by the manufacturing process. It's a crucial facet of the diamond's cut grade, significantly impacting its visual appeal. Certified graders from organizations like GIA and IGI meticulously assess facet shapes, culet placement, and overall evenness, categorizing symmetry into excellent, very good, good, and fair & poor based on the degree of perfection, which directly influences the diamond's brilliance.

Fluorescence

Diamond fluorescence is the way a diamond responds to UV light, resulting in a soft blue glow, though it can also be white, yellow, green, or red. This occurrence, found in around 30% of diamonds, doesn't impact their visual appeal. Fluorescence ranges from None (most desirable) to Very Strong, affecting diamond value and potentially improving lower-grade colors while occasionally diminishing the brilliance of higher-grade diamonds. Ultimately, the impact of fluorescence on a diamond's beauty is subjective and varies from one individual diamond to another.

L/W Ratio

The diamond length-to-width ratio signifies its proportional dimensions and affects its appearance from the top view. A balanced and aesthetically pleasing ratio is often considered ideal, with popular ranges between 1.5 and 2.0. A higher ratio can create a more elongated and slender appearance, while a lower ratio results in a square shape. This ratio is a matter of personal preference, influencing whether you prefer an elongated or square shape, and plays a significant role in a diamond's overall aesthetic appeal.

Table

The diamond table is the flat surface you see when looking at the stone from above. Its role is to refract incoming light and reflect internal light, enhancing the diamond's brilliance. Table percentages, calculated by comparing the table's size to the diamond's width, signify the proportion of the top facet to the entire stone, crucial in assessing a diamond's quality. Gemologists carefully assess the table percentage and the ratio of the table's width to the diamond's overall diameter to ensure optimal light performance.

Depth

Diamond depth is a pivotal aspect of a diamond's cut, measuring its height from the bottom tip (culet) to the flat top (table) in millimeters. It's represented by two key measurements: the actual depth and depth percentage, crucial for optimal light refraction. The right balance ensures that light enters, reflects off facets, and exits through the table for maximum brilliance, while extremes in depth can result in light escaping through the bottom of the diamond.

Facets

There are two main types of diamond facets: physical facets, which are actual cuts in the stone, and virtual facets, which are created when light bounces off the physical facets. The more vrtual facets a diamond has (brilliance and scintillation), the greater its ability to refract light, enhancing the diamond's fire effect. Diamond brilliance is the white light it reflects, while scintillation is the charming play of light and shadow, resulting in the mesmerizing sparkle of a well-cut diamond.

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