How Important is Cut

When you are purchasing jewelry, do you look for the most beautiful or a worst looking piece? As a Graduate Gemologist, cut of a diamond is something I am passionate about! A quality cut can make your diamond sparkle from across the room no matter the size.   

Oftentimes, people confuse the outside shape of a diamond with the Cut.  The outside shape of a diamond is what we refer to as round, oval, cushion, pear, marquise, etc. But, Cut refers to the arrangement and balance of facets in a diamond. 

The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) has five Cut grades for a round brilliant diamond: Excellent (EX); Very Good (VG); Good (G); Fair (F); Poor (P). The reason that Cut is so important is because it’s the reason a diamond will sparkle beautifully or be dull, it’s the fuel for the scintillation!  We often assume that all diamonds shine, but it is not the case. 

A round brilliant diamond has 58 facets, sometimes referred to as planes and angles. It’s the arrangement and balance of those facets that increases or decreases the ability light has to bounce around and come back out of the top of the diamond, making is sparkle, or

leaking out the sides creating shadows.

Can you see the difference in cut? The far left has an Excellent grade, while the other two have shadows

Diamond cutting is both a science and an art! I had the opportunity to watch Jen Pilon, the first female diamond cutter in Canada, facet a diamond. She talked about the math formulas she has to use every time she is at the diamond cutting wheel! While you can take a 20 week course to learn how to cut a diamond, it takes years to develop the skill to become a professional. In fact, the Cut of a diamond is the only quality factor controlled by a human being, the rest come from nature!

Do you need help with picking the right diamond? I would love to help you with your diamond jewelry needs! Angela Cisneros Jewelry Concierge brings back the joy and confidence of jewelry shopping, so that you can celebrate with ease! My by-appointment approach means:

• One-on-one appointments (personal attention and no crowds!)

• Discretion and privacy (surprises remain surprises!)

• Expert help from a Graduate Gemologist with 27 years of experience (yep, that’s me!)

Learn more about me and my process: www.AngelaCisneros.com 

Book your FREE appointment with me today! www.AngelaCisneros.com/book-appointment