Diamonds. Some of the world’s most coveted gemstones, prized for their brilliant luster and timelessness. They come in all shapes, sizes, and even colors – each of which can greatly affect their value. The process used to determine how much a diamond is worth includes the 4 C’s: cut, color, clarity, and carat. In this guide, we will cover one of the most important of the four: diamond cut types and the science of diamond cutting.
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Why Diamond Cut Matters
Cut, not to be mistaken for the actual shape of the stone, is how the diamond is faceted and determines how much light it will reflect. When a diamond is cut correctly, it radiates the light beautifully, creating that irresistible sparkle so many are searching for in the perfect diamond. Some of the most common diamond cut types include princess cut, Asscher cut, trapeze cut, and cushion cut. Some cuts are more difficult to execute than others and can potentially net a higher diamond loan.
During the appraisal process, diamond cuts are valued based on craftsmanship, polish, and symmetry. Diamonds are also graded based on how well they reflect the light on a scale of Fair to Excellent: Fair (F), Good (G), Very Good (VG), and Excellent (EX). The higher the grading, the more valuable the diamond will be.
When discussing how a diamond reflects light, gemologists will use the terms brilliance, dispersion, and scintillation, each of which will vary based on the quality and craftsmanship of the stone itself.
Brilliance: the concentration of white light reflecting from the diamond.
Dispersion: when the white light reflecting from the diamond refracts, other colors may become visible. That process is also called “fire.”
Scintillation: how well a diamond sparkles.
The Science of the Diamond Cutting Process
How is a diamond cut, anyway? Diamond cutting is the process of shaping a raw diamond to enhance its sparkle and consumer appeal. Of course, the process involves much more than just cutting a diamond into a jewelry-ready gemstone. There are different techniques and steps involved that require the mastery of a skilled gemologist to ensure optimal sparkle and brilliance.
Inclusion Mapping: inclusions are slight imperfections within the stone that occur when other natural materials become trapped inside the diamond when it is formed. They are very common and aren’t necessarily a bad thing. Still, diamonds with fewer inclusions are rarer and more valuable. This phase uses technology to scan the raw stone to locate all the inclusions.
Planning: During this phase, the gemologist will plan the best way to cut the stone, which includes studying the diamond to determine its ideal shape and size and considering any imperfections found during the mentioned inclusion mapping phase. Only after the planning stage is complete can the gemologist continue with the diamond-cutting process.
Cleaving: Cleaving is the process of splitting or breaking something along a natural plane and is a crucial part of diamond cut quality. It requires a sharp, trained eye and a high level of precision because, if done incorrectly, it can potentially shatter or crack the stone and greatly affect its value. Cleaving a diamond begins by finding the most advantageous spot to split the stone. Using a metal blade, the gemologist will then split the diamond along its natural grain.
Bruting: Once the stone has been split, the shaping process, also known as bruting, can begin. During this phase of the diamond-cutting process, the gemologist will create the basic shape of the stone and ensure it is perfectly symmetrical.
Polishing: That brings us to the final stage of creating a jewelry-ready gemstone and the phase responsible for refining the unmistakable sparkle associated with a genuine diamond. During polishing, any residual blemishes or residue are smoothed away, allowing the facets to reflect light.
Inscribing: During this step, the girdle, or the widest part of the finished stone, is engraved with a personalized message or certification number that is invisible to the naked eye.
Understanding diamond cut quality and how the stones are appraised is vital to leveraging your valuable assets for fast cash. Qollateral is the nation’s premier diamond loan provider. Our team of compassionate and skilled appraisers is dedicated to helping you sell or use your diamonds to secure the highest offer loans. The process is straightforward, safe, and 100% discreet. Contact us today to get started.
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