To know why the cut of a diamond, is the most important aspect of a diamond’s defining characteristics, you must first what is being referred to when someone is talking about the cut of a diamond. A diamond cut refers to the proportions of the parts of a diamond and how well that diamond reflects light. When you hear people talking about the brilliance and/or sparkle of a diamond, this is wholly attributable to the cut of the diamond. So if or when you see a diamond that simply put, doesn’t sparkle, you can safely assume that this is or was a result of a poor cut. It is believed by many diamond experts, that of all of the “four C’s”, the cut is the aspect that has the greatest effect on the overall appeal of the diamond from the naked eye. Because a diamond cut is widely considered the most vital measurement of the beauty and brilliance of a diamond to the naked eye, here are some additional tips that you should know when deciding what cut of diamond is the right purchase for you. Diamond Cut Grading Scale In order to help assist consumers decipher between the differing characteristics of the cut of diamonds they are looking to purchase, a general grading scale has been widely implemented to offer a simple way of identifying the quality of the cut of a diamond. To help you make the most well-informed decision possible, it is essential that you understand varying degrees of differences between the grades within the scale: • Ideal Cut: As the title suggests, the Ideal Cut is the highest possible rating of diamond cuts on the scale. A diamond that is considered ideal cut, will have extraordinary brilliance while creating what is known in the industry as “fire”, which is really the dispersion of light entering and exiting the diamond itself. Ideal cut diamonds are really for the person who is willing to shell out a significant amount of cash for it. Furthermore, the ideal cut only refers to round diamonds. • Premium: While the ideal cut is the most expensive of the round diamonds, it is the Premium cut of round diamonds which are more popular that the ideal cut of diamonds. This is because the difference between the Premium and Ideal cut diamonds can be at times, nearly negligible thus providing the consumer with a comparable quality cut diamond for a lesser price. Similar to the Ideal cut, the premium cut offers extreme brilliance and fire, unfortunately, much like that ideal cut, the premium cut also can run on the more expensive end of the spectrum. • Very Good: The title of most popular cut of diamonds goes to those with a grade of Very Good. With this level cut, you will get a diamond that reflects a significant amount of the light which enters it, thus resulting is a very good amount of brilliance. Very Good cut diamonds are a result of a diamond cutter deciding to craft a differently proportioned diamond which generally is larger, yet cost just slightly less than that of the Premium and Ideal cut diamonds. • Good: Classified as diamonds that can and will reflect much of the light which enters them, more often than not, the Good cut diamond will land outside the widely preferred and/or expected proportions due largely as a result of the decision of the cutter to craft a product which results in the largest possible diamond. Good cut diamonds are extremely popular because of their ability to offer an exceptional amount of brilliance while at the same time offering the best possible cost-savings imaginable to the consumer on a fixed income or a set budget. • Fair & Poor: As the name of this cut indicates, a diamond with a grade of Fair & Poor offers just that. A diamond, which does not do a good job of reflecting the little amount of light which is able to enter the diamond as it is. More often than not, these diamonds carry higher carat weights because that is really the only beneficial characteristic that a Fair & Poor diamond can possibly offer. Not particularly recommended, if another option is available to you.

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