Diamond Cut Part 2: Crown and Pavilion Angles
In part one of this series we discussed how the Table and Depth Percentage effect the cut of a diamond.
In part of two, we'll take a look at the last two important factors of cut, the crown and pavilion angles, to give you a better idea of what you should be looking for when you purchase a diamond.
The relationship between the crown angle and the pavilion angle has the greatest effect on the appearance of any diamond. A slightly steep pavilion angle can be complemented by a shallower crown angle, and vice versa.
How Important Is the Girdle?
When looking for a diamond, there are many things to take into consideration; so much so that the choice and information can become overwhelming. The four C’s is a great guideline for the most basic and important factors of a diamond, however, there are many other technical terms used in the industry. This article will discuss the girdle and its importance in your diamond selection.
What is the girdle and how is it graded?
The girdle is the edge of the diamond. The purpose of the girdle is to protect the edge of the stone from chipping. Its measurements are presented as either a worded description or a percentage. Like many other of the features of a diamond, labels are used to rate the diamond ranging from Extremely Thin, Very Thin, Thin, Medium, Slightly Thick, Thick, Very Thick, Extremely Thick, Faceted, Smooth to Polished. The girdle can also be presented as a number, for example, 0.7% thin or 3.0% thick.
What Makes a Diamond Sparkle?
Diamonds are notoriously known for their sparkle and shine, but in the rough this is not the case. The crystallised carbon has to go through several processes in order for it to look like the finished product. Included in these processes is the cutting and polishing of the diamond, which are the main factors determining the sparkle and lustre of the diamond.
Diamond Cut
Being one of the four C’s the diamond cut is signalled as an important factor when choosing a diamond ordinarily. The cut is frequently classed as the most important characteristic of a diamond, and has the greatest influence on the diamonds beauty and appearance. Therefore, it is also the greatest determinate in the general sparkle of the stone. The cut refers to the overall polish of the diamond from rough and is a measurement of the amount of light able to travel through the diamond. GIA rates the cut of diamonds on a scale from Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair to Poor.
10 Things to Know Before Buying a Diamond: Part Two
In part one of this article we covered the first five things to know before buying a diamond. Those five were the 4 C's: Carat, Cut, Colour, Clarity, as well as Certificate. In part two we cover the last five!
6. Shape
7. Fluorescence
8. Size vs. Quality
9. Polish & Symmetry
10. Girdle/Culet
6. Shape
Diamonds come in a wide range of shapes, but choosing the perfect one is simply a matter of preference. You may see the shape of a diamond referred to as its “cut”, such as princess or round cut, but this should not be confused with the term “cut” as in excellent or very good cut which relates to how well the finished diamond has been made and how well it reflects light.
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