Diamond Cut is probably the most important of the 4Cs (cut, color, clarity and carats) since it determines the reflective qualities of a diamond and is used as a guide when shaping a diamond for polishing. A diamond cut, though hard to define, has three distinct attributes: Brilliance, Fire and Scintillation. As a value factor, though, cut refers to a diamond’s proportions, symmetry and polish.

The untrained eye can distinguish between a well-cut and poorly-cut diamond. A well-cut diamond exudes brilliance – the sparkle of a diamond as light reflects through it. In poorly-cut diamonds, less light is reflected back to you, making a diamond less brilliant.

Diamond Cut is often confused with a diamond’s shape (e.g. round, pear or oval), even by jewelers!

In early 2005, GIA unveiled a diamond cut grading system for standard round brilliants in the D-to-Z color range. This system, the product of more than 15 years of intensive research and testing, assigns an overall diamond cut grade ranging from Excellent to Poor.

The traditional 58 facets in a round brilliant diamond, each precisely cut and defined, are as small as two millimeters in diameter, explains the GIA. But without this precision, a diamond wouldn’t be nearly as beautiful. The allure of a particular diamond depends more on cut than anything else.

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