DIAMOND CUT

Not to be confused with the shape of a diamond, cut refers to the arrangement and angles of a diamond’s facets, the polished faces on the diamond. A diamond that is “perfectly cut” receives a light ray and reflects it hundreds of times within the diamond. This creates a gathering place of brilliant, fiery light which explodes the light beams out the top of the diamond into the eye of the beholder.

To achieve a “perfect cut”, the Master Cutter must adhere to strict and exacting tolerances. Less than 1% of all diamonds are cut to these fiery and magnificent proportions. More than any other characteristic, cut exerts the greatest influence on the beauty and value of the diamond. The controlled explosions of light and prismatic display that comes from “perfectly cut” diamonds will singe your imagination – burning a picture in your memory that you can’t forget.

Technical information about Cut;
American Gem Society Measurements of a perfectly cut diamond:

	Table	53% to 57.5%
	Crown Height	14.2% to 17.2%
	Pavilion Depth	42.2% to 43.8%
	Pavilion Angle:	40.15 to 41.20 degrees (supercedes pavilion depth %)
	Crown Angle:	33.7 to 35.8 degrees
	Girdle Thickness:	Thin to slightly thick
	Culet Size:	Pointed to medium
	Polish and Symmetry:	Excellent

The single greatest determinant of a diamond’s beauty is the precision with which it is cut. The diamond illustrated above has been shaped to the optimum proportions for maximum brilliance. When purchasing a diamond, ask your American Gem Society jeweler to explain how your diamond compares proportionally to a perfectly-cut diamond.