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What Are Diamond Cuts?
Cut describes how well a diamond's facets work with light. It is one of the 4 Cs, next to colour, clarity and carat, and it is the one that decides how much a stone sparkles. Cut is not the same as shape: shape is the outline you see from above (round, oval, pear), while cut is the angles, proportions and finish of the facets inside that outline.
A well-cut stone sends the light that enters it back up through the top. A stone cut too shallow or too deep lets that light leak out of the sides and bottom, so it looks glassy or dark, whatever its size.
How Are Diamonds Cut and Graded?
A cutter plans the facets around the rough crystal, then grinds and polishes each one by hand and machine. Because the result changes the look of a stone so much, gem labs grade the finished cut against set measurements.
Labs such as GIA and IGI look at three things: how the stone looks in the light, how it is proportioned, and how carefully it was finished. Their grades run from Excellent (or Ideal) down to Poor. When we source a stone for you, we share its certificate so you can see exactly where it sits.
Diamond Cut Quality Factors
Appearance
Brilliance is the white light reflected back to your eye. Fire is that light split into flashes of colour. Scintillation is the play of light and dark sparkles you see when the stone or your hand moves.
Design
Proportions are the angles and sizes of the crown, pavilion and table. Each facet acts like a small mirror, so their balance decides how much light makes it back out.
Craftsmanship
Polish is the smoothness of the surface; symmetry is how precisely the facets line up. Both are graded on the certificate, and both affect how crisp the sparkle looks up close.
Diamond Cut Grades
- Excellent / Ideal: maximum light return; the stone looks bright from edge to edge.
- Very Good: close to Excellent and often better value; differences are hard to see by eye.
- Good: noticeably less sparkle, especially in smaller stones.
- Fair and Poor: light escapes; we don't recommend these for a ring you'll wear every day.
Different Types of Diamond Cuts
Most shapes use one of two facet styles. Brilliant cuts (round, oval, pear, princess) have many triangular facets for maximum sparkle. Step cuts (emerald, asscher, baguette) have long parallel facets that show clarity and give a calmer, mirror-like flash. Your NUTANA designer can show both side by side before you decide.
Diamond Cuts FAQ
What does diamond cut mean?
How well a diamond's facets are angled, proportioned and polished to return light. The better the cut, the more the stone sparkles.
Is cut the same as shape?
No. Shape is the outline (round, oval, pear). Cut is the quality of the facets within that outline.
Which of the 4 Cs matters most?
It depends on what you value, but if sparkle is the priority, cut has the biggest visible effect.
Is an Excellent cut always worth it?
It is the brightest grade, but a Very Good cut can look almost the same for less. We will help you balance cut with colour, clarity, carat and budget.