|
While nature determines a diamond's color, clarity, and carat weight, the hand of a master craftsman is needed to release its fire and beauty. The cut gives each diamond its unique sparkle and brilliance by allowing the maximum amount of light to enter and reflect back out of the diamond.
Maximum brilliance occurs when a diamond is cut to enable the most light to reflect inside the stone, then bounce back through the table or surface of the diamond. In this way, the rays of light perform much as billiard balls do on a pool table; with the proper angles and proportions, exactly the right performance can be achieved. 1 In the top sketch, the diamond is properly cut to reflect maximum light and brilliance to the surface. 2 In the middle sketch, the diamond has a shallow cut. Many rays of light fail to come back through the top and the diamond lacks brilliance. 3 In the bottom sketch, the diamond is cut too deep. Light rays dissipate within the stone before reaching its surface. The stone appears to have a darker center.
|
