As a shopper when you go out looking for that perfect piece of diamond, what are the details that you pay attention to? Of course the much talked about 4 C's: Carat, Clarity, Color and Cut. I am sure many of us here at least know how the first 3 C's adds on to a diamond's value.Owing to the readily available information on what a particular color,clarity or carat weight implies it has become very easy for a first time diamond shopper to make a smart purchase. But wait, the often over looked 4th C of the diamond called "Cut" can make a huge difference to your purchase. How? Read on to find out more.
What does the "CUT" in the 4 C stands for:
Often times people confuse the cut of a diamond for its shape. Of course the cut does lead to the shapes eventually, but to a gemologist cut of a diamond refers to something more complex than the round, princess, pear or marquise shape.Generally stated, the cut of a diamond is the physical measurement of; various proportions of diamonds such as its width and depth; and the uniformity of its facets. The play of the light with the cuts of the diamond is what makes it come alive.
For instance, the depth of a diamond can be deep, shallow or ideal; and based on this the dazzle of the diamond is determined. A diamond which is too shallow looses the light travelling through it from its bottom, and since the light doesn't get reflected back the diamond appears to be lifeless. Similarly, a diamond which is cut too deep causes the light to escape from its side and hence results in darkening of the diamond or parts of it. But in case of an ideal cut diamond the light gets reflected and refracted back from its many facets and bounces back out of the top of the stone creating sheer brilliance!
It is important for you as a shopper to understand that this much over looked detail of diamond is often the most important factor in bringing out the fire in a diamond. It is very much possible that a lower clarity and color diamond can have much more spark and fire in it than a higher clarity and whiter diamond, because of the way it is cut. Unfortunately, unlike carat, clarity and color there are no clear cut guideline to pick up the right cut. There does exist a scale for cut used by the diamond graders where in the "cut" is classified into categories such as: Ideal, Excellent, Very Good, Good and fair. Though these categories sound self explanatory yet they may not work the same way for one and sundry! Many a times the beauty of a cut is a personal opinion of the customer. Some one may prefer the "good cut" over the "ideal cut" based on his personal liking of the play of the lights. Hence no hard and fast rules can be applied.
Final Note:
Due to the complexities of the explanation of what a cut means and also what the various dimensions of a diamond implies, many jewelers do not educate their customers about it. Likewise many customers do not insist on knowing about it. Consequently, they end up purchasing diamonds which sparkles and shines under the lights of a jewelry shop but when brought home looks lifeless! Be advised that as a smart shopper you must insist on knowing about all the 4 C's of diamond so that the brilliance of your diamond is maintained regardless of the light it falls under.
What does the "CUT" in the 4 C stands for:
Often times people confuse the cut of a diamond for its shape. Of course the cut does lead to the shapes eventually, but to a gemologist cut of a diamond refers to something more complex than the round, princess, pear or marquise shape.Generally stated, the cut of a diamond is the physical measurement of; various proportions of diamonds such as its width and depth; and the uniformity of its facets. The play of the light with the cuts of the diamond is what makes it come alive.
For instance, the depth of a diamond can be deep, shallow or ideal; and based on this the dazzle of the diamond is determined. A diamond which is too shallow looses the light travelling through it from its bottom, and since the light doesn't get reflected back the diamond appears to be lifeless. Similarly, a diamond which is cut too deep causes the light to escape from its side and hence results in darkening of the diamond or parts of it. But in case of an ideal cut diamond the light gets reflected and refracted back from its many facets and bounces back out of the top of the stone creating sheer brilliance!
It is important for you as a shopper to understand that this much over looked detail of diamond is often the most important factor in bringing out the fire in a diamond. It is very much possible that a lower clarity and color diamond can have much more spark and fire in it than a higher clarity and whiter diamond, because of the way it is cut. Unfortunately, unlike carat, clarity and color there are no clear cut guideline to pick up the right cut. There does exist a scale for cut used by the diamond graders where in the "cut" is classified into categories such as: Ideal, Excellent, Very Good, Good and fair. Though these categories sound self explanatory yet they may not work the same way for one and sundry! Many a times the beauty of a cut is a personal opinion of the customer. Some one may prefer the "good cut" over the "ideal cut" based on his personal liking of the play of the lights. Hence no hard and fast rules can be applied.
Final Note:
Due to the complexities of the explanation of what a cut means and also what the various dimensions of a diamond implies, many jewelers do not educate their customers about it. Likewise many customers do not insist on knowing about it. Consequently, they end up purchasing diamonds which sparkles and shines under the lights of a jewelry shop but when brought home looks lifeless! Be advised that as a smart shopper you must insist on knowing about all the 4 C's of diamond so that the brilliance of your diamond is maintained regardless of the light it falls under.
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