The Cut

Don't underestimate the power of "the cut."  The way a diamond is cut determines not only what you see in terms of brilliance and reflection, but also it determines the sparkle and gleam that captures your attention.  You can have perfect shape, color, and clarity, but if the diamond is cut poorly your stone is going to be dull and lifeless, leaving you disappointed and depressed.

The cut is about proportion, angle, and reflection.  The goal is to have all light radiating from the surface.  The cut is graded on a scale ranging from excellent to poor.  The cut distinguishes the stone.  The height versus depth ratio, known as depth percentage, and the very top of the stone versus the width, known as table percentage, is all noted and proportioned by the cut.  Be sure to look at the whole picture when picking out your diamond.  The cut goes much deeper than what is visible to the naked eye, but it carries much weight in the quality and value of your diamond.