Diamond Cuts

The purpose of the diamond cuts is to exploit the excellent material properties of the diamond. Over the past centuries numerous diamond cuts have been developed. Every angle and length every cut of a diamond is intended in order to reflect the maximum quantity of light that will pass through the diamond. Numerous procedures of cutting diamonds have been developed over the past few centuries.

The greatest accomplishment with regards to cutting diamonds was made by a gem aficionado and mathematician named "Marcel Tolkowsky". Marcel Tolkowsky developed a certain technique in cutting diamonds called "round brilliant cut". The round brilliant cut is done by analyzing or calculating just the right shape to return and scatter light when the diamond is observed from above.

Nowadays, the modern round brilliant cut has a total number of 57 facets (a facet is the polished faces of a diamond); 33 facets on the top half or crown and 24 on the lower half also called the pavilion. That light that passes through the diamond is diffused by the crown while the pavilion reflects the light back through the top of the diamond.

Another popular type of diamond cuts are the fancy cuts. Fancy cuts come in a large of shapes. Many of these shapes were derived from the round brilliant cut. Trained diamond graders are the ones that assess diamond cuts. If the symmetry and proportion of a diamond closely match the ideal shape, the diamond will be certified with a high grade. Rigorous standards are used to grade the round brilliant cut. However, the number of facet is invariable and its proportions are not.

Most of the time, the selection of diamond cuts depends on the original form or shape of the rough diamond stone, position of internal flaws or inclusions, preservation of the weight or carat, and sometimes, the regards of certain shapes most consumers wants.

The cutting and polishing of a diamond crystal always results in loss of weight of the diamond. Even with today's highly advanced and modern technology, this can not be avoided. Odd shaped diamond crystals are more often cut in a fancy cut.

The word "cut", with regards to diamonds, has two meanings. The shape, round, oval, etc. belongs to the first category while the second one relates to the quality of the diamond cut within the shape. Most of the time, the value of the diamond will depend on the cut quality.

The diamond cutter has two objectives in cutting diamonds (most of the time these objectives contradict each other). First is to preserve the weight of the rough diamond as much as possible, while second is to create a cut which in not just attractive but also highly valued by the market.