Research Quality
 
 
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Researching CutThe modern round brilliant cut is fashioned into 57 or 58 separate facets, or tiny flat polished "faces" that reflect light. Diamonds reflect some light as brilliance, or white light returned to the eye. They also absorb some of it, which spreads from facet to facet inside the diamond, separating the light into spectral colors. This is known as dispersion, or fire, and when combined with brilliance, it is what gives diamonds their beauty. All of this results from cutting the diamond to a specific proportions, called make. 
Note: Finish refers to how well the cutter has done her or his job on the details—how the facets line up, the symmetry, etc.Most of these details will be outlined on a diamond certificate. Compare the certificate to the above chart and you can see what GIA (Gemological Institute of America) Cut classification the diamond falls into. There is no cut grade, unlike the other diamond quality factors. This is because of some controversy about what combination of angles and percentages end up with the best overall brilliance. The term "ideal" is often used, and different diamond cutters use this term to apply to a variety of proportion ranges. Be careful of nebulous terms such as "ideal range," since only about 1% of the total diamond market actually fits into the above Class 1 Proportions. This factor has a major impact on value. As in all diamond factors, try not to put too much emphasis on only the cutting proportions. A diamond is a package deal! Tiny differences of 1 or 2 percent from the "Ideal" should be weighed against the other quality characteristics. Cutting is important, but be sure to keep proportions and percentages in perspective.
 
 
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