You may have heard of a marquis cut or princess cut, but did you know that the names refer to the shape of the diamond, not the cut? A diamond cut refers to the proportions that determine its level of sparkle. A private jeweler can explain the exact proportions and the best percentages of each cut, but here are some details to help you get started.

What to Know About Diamond Cuts

1. Light Performance

A diamond reflects light, which is categorized by its brilliance, fire, and scintillation. Brilliance is the amount of white light reflected back out of the diamond. The fire represents the rainbow hue of colors displayed by candlelight. Scintillation is the dark and light movements that are displayed when the diamond is moved.

2. Cut Proportions

There are several proportions that make up the ideal diamond, such as the table, width, and depth. The table percentage is calculated by dividing the width of the table by the width of the diamond. A low table percentage captures light, reducing the reflection properties, so less light returns to the eye.

Diamond depth is figured by dividing the depth, from the culet to the top of the table, by the width. A shorter depth percentage may create a darker appearance by limiting the light’s reflection. A jeweler can alter the cut slightly, providing you with a fiery ideal cut diamond, which would maximize its fire properties.

3. Cost of Poorly Cut Diamonds

Many people get caught up by the size or carat. Larger carat diamonds can be worked to an ideal cut, but less cutting means a heavier weight. Cut is the top factor that determines a beautiful diamond that reflects light properly. In other words, bigger is not necessarily better.

If you’re looking for the perfect diamond and need to find a private jeweler, turn to Kortz Originals in Denver, CO. They are a fourth-generation jewelry maker with a family history of more than 100 years in the crafting business. They can answer all your questions on cuts, clarity, color, and carat weight. Visit them online to review their gallery, or call (303) 520-0955 to schedule an appointment.