A diamond cuts has the single biggest impact on its fire and brilliance. The facets and angles of a diamond should be perfectly aligned to reflect light evenly.
A diamond cutter evaluates the rough stone to determine which shape or cut will best maximise the gem. He must consider the original shape of the stone, location of internal flaws or inclusions, and popularity of certain shapes among consumers.
Round Brilliant
Round brilliant cut diamonds have long been the most popular of all shapes. This is due to a number of reasons, including their economic benefits and their exceptional light performance capabilities.
In addition, diamond cutters have spent centuries refining and reworking the round brilliant cut in order to maximize its fire and brilliance. During this process, expert cutters have adhered to scientific theories regarding the way diamond facets interact with light.
The 58 precisely placed crown and pavilion facets of the modern round brilliant create the cone shape that funnels light through the top, maximizing reflection and refraction for a stunning sparkle. The resulting gem can display intense white flashes and colorful flashes, depending on the metal it is set in.
Marquise
A marquise diamond cut is a gorgeous and unique diamond shape that will make your engagement ring stand out from the crowd. The unique body shape can make the diamond appear larger than it’s actual carat weight, and it also looks great in rings with other unique shapes like a pear or star.
A good marquise diamond has excellent symmetry, which means that the points and curves should line up evenly across the stone. This can be difficult to achieve, so shop with a jeweler who is trained in diamond grading and symmetry.
Like all fancy shape diamonds, marquise diamonds vary in their faceting patterns and clarity. In addition to a diamond’s overall appearance to the naked eye, it’s important to consider its brilliance and how well it hides inclusions.
Pear
Pear cut diamonds are a popular choice among buyers who want something unique and different. They combine the facets, brilliance, and fire of a round brilliant with a more delicate elongated shape.
They’re also less expensive than a comparable round diamond. However, it’s important to remember that a high quality pear diamond can be difficult to find.
Like oval and marquise cuts, the shoulders, bellies, and wings of a pear-shaped diamond should form symmetrical curves without bulging areas. That’s a misguided attempt to add weight to a stone and can create an unattractive appearance.
A good way to check for symmetry is by drawing an imaginary line from the point of the diamond down the middle. The sides should mirror each other closely, so the symmetry grade is “good” or higher.
Star
The star diamond cut deviates from the traditional round brilliant by offering additional facets. It features 71 more pavilion facets than the conventional diamond, which allows it to disperse light more effectively and achieve more luster and fire.
In order to maximize sparkle and brilliance, the diamond’s cutting must be precise and perfectly symmetric. A poorly cut diamond may have unevenness in how facets and angles match side to side, which negatively impacts the diamond’s performance in terms of reflection, refraction and dispersion.
The performance of a diamond is also reflected in its light behavior, measured by brightness (reflectiveness), contrast, and scintillation. Jewelers use these to assess how the stone will perform and determine its value.
Butterfly
If you’re looking for a diamond cut that combines the traditional elegance of round brilliant with an added touch of flair, the butterfly shape may be for you. This style features a halo of smaller accent diamonds and is made from 10K gold.
The halo surrounds the center gemstone, which is set in a polished gold frame with artistically crafted prongs. This ring is available in a range of sizes, including a petite size.
In conclusion
The bow-tie effect, also known as the butterfly effect, is a common feature of oval, marquise, pear and princess diamonds. It is not a defect in the diamond’s clarity grade, but rather an issue with the diamond’s cutting.