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Diamonds
The 4Cs — Cut
The diamond’s cut is the most significant of all features. It refers to the stone’s shape viewed from above and affects its brilliance and light dispersion. Diamond cutting requires absolute precision and superb craftsmanship – perhaps it is one of the most important processes in the art of making diamond jewellery. Understanding how the cut works to capture and reflect light is the key to finding the perfect diamond engagement ring.
Cut Grade - How is it determined?
The diamond is placed in a Sarin machine which measures its proportions and angels. Depending on the result, the diamond will be given an appropriate cut grade. The Gemmological Institute of America (GIA) introduced the cut grade on 1st January 2006 for the Round Brilliant diamond. The options for the cut grade from the GIA are: Poor, Fair, Good, Very Good and Excellent.
At Steven Stone, in order to maintain our high reputation for excellence and to consistently exceed customer expectations, we only offer the top three cut grades: Good, Very Good and Excellent.
An Excellent Cut is sometimes referred to as an Ideal Cut diamond. This means that the diamond is perfectly proportioned. Ideal Cut grades generally apply to Round Brilliant cut diamonds, but sometimes it is possible to obtain other shapes that adhere to this standard. Ideal Cut diamonds are normally around 5-10% more expensive than the average cut.
Steven Stone Tip
“The cut grade of a diamond can impact how large a diamond appears. Diamonds with a smaller carat weight can appear larger with a better cut grade.”
Diamond Cut – Symmetry And Polish
The symmetry grade is also important when considering which diamonds to purchase. This grade indicates how well the diamond facets are aligned. The symmetry of a diamond also determines the amount of light returned, i.e. the sparkle. The options for the symmetry and polish grade established by the GIA are: Poor, Fair, Good, Very Good and Excellent. At Steven Stone we only offer the top three symmetry and polish grades of Good, Very Good and Excellent.
The polish grade is not as important as the symmetry or cut grades. This is because it has only minimal impact on the diamond’s light return. The polish grade refers to the smoothness of the diamond’s facets. If the grade of polish is Poor or Fair, the diamond may appear slightly blurred or dull. We would recommend considering polish grades of Good or Excellent when selecting your diamond.
