Diamond Cut
Diamond cut is often misunderstood. It does not refer to the shape of a diamond. It refers to how well a diamond has been proportioned and faceted to reflect light.
Cut is the most important factor influencing a diamond’s brilliance, sparkle and overall beauty.
Cut vs Shape
Diamonds are available in many shapes including:
However, it is very important to remember- only Round Brilliant diamonds receive an official cut grade.
Fancy shape diamonds do not receive a cut grade because their proportions vary significantly in terms of length, width and depth. Each stone is unique and must be individually assessed for brightness and balance specific to its shape.
Why Cut Matters Most
While all of the 4Cs are important, cut has the greatest impact on how a diamond performs visually.
A well-cut diamond will:
- Reflect light from facet to facet
- Return light back through the top surface of the diamond, known as the table
- Appear bright, lively and full of fire
If a diamond is cut too deep or too shallow, light escapes through the sides or base of the stone. This results in a dull appearance, even if the diamond has excellent colour and clarity.
A beautifully cut diamond can make a slightly lower colour or clarity grade appear far more impressive.
Round Brilliant Cut Grading
Round Brilliant diamonds are graded for cut quality by laboratories such as GIA.
Cut grades typically include:
- Excellent
- Very Good
- Good
- Fair
- Poor
At MDT DESIGN, we primarily select diamonds graded Excellent for cut. This ensures optimal light performance, symmetry and brilliance.
Fancy Shape Diamonds
Fancy shape diamonds do not receive a cut grade.
They may have:
- Polish grades
- Symmetry grades
However, these do not measure brightness or light performance.
A fancy shape diamond can have Excellent polish and symmetry yet still appear dull if the proportions are not well balanced.
This is why visual inspection is essential.
At MDT DESIGN, we carefully assess each fancy shape diamond to ensure it reflects light beautifully and meets our standards for brilliance and proportion.
The Role of the Diamond Cutter
The true skill of a diamond cutter lies in unlocking the maximum sparkle from a piece of rough diamond.
The cutter must carefully calculate angles, proportions and facet placement to achieve optimal light return while maintaining carat weight and balance.
Exceptional cut is never accidental. It is precise and intentional.
Our Approach at MDT DESIGN
At MDT DESIGN, we prioritise cut above all else when selecting diamonds.
A diamond must perform visually before anything else. Certification alone is not enough. Each stone is inspected to ensure it delivers the brilliance and fire expected of a high-quality diamond.
We are always happy to guide you through the importance of:
Together, these characteristics determine the value, rarity and beauty of a diamond.
Contact MDT DESIGN if you would like personalised advice when selecting your diamond.
