How to Select the Cut of a Diamond

Diamonds come in a wide variety of beautiful cuts, and you are sure to find one that is perfect for you and your style

Diamonds can be cut in countless numbers of ways. There are fancy-shaped diamonds that sparkle in unique shapes and sizes and other types of faceting that can make a diamond dazzle your eyes. For the more artistic jewelry owner, you may wish to select an unusual cut that makes your stone appear to glimmer rather than sparkle or that can cause a rock to seem to absorb light around it rather than reflect it. When you are selecting a cut of diamond, you may have so many choices that you may feel bewildered. If this happens, calm down and simply examine your options in light of what matters most to you.

Instructions

1. 

   Decide how much size matters. Some cuts make diamonds look bigger or are less expensive and therefore enable you to invest your money in a larger stone rather than an exclusive cut. Other types of cut only look good on large diamonds and can actually diminish the impact of a pretty--but less extravagant--stone. Round and square cuts are classic looks that enlarge the appearance of a diamond, while a triangular or heart-shaped stone can actually make a reasonably large stone appear smaller than it actually is.

2. 

   Factor in unique shapes. Celebrities often enjoy making dramatic statements like having their initials cut into diamonds or having a diamond carved into a significant shape or letter. If this type of statement is important to you, remember that the more elaborate the cut of the diamond, the larger the stone will be that you must start out with and the smaller the end result will be even though it can be ridiculously expensive.

3. Evaluate the sparkle factor. "Radiant" and princess-cut diamonds are faceted to maximize sparkle and brilliance. However, these types of cuts need larger, "deeper" diamonds to pull off this type of faceting and can have smaller top surfaces as a result. If you are more concerned with size than sparkle, consider a "shallow" stone that has a large top surface but not as many facets underneath.

4. 

   Consider the setting. Some setting maximize the play of light through a diamond and need to hold diamonds with lots of facets in order to sparkle. Other settings, such as bezels, do not allow light to pass all the way through the stone, which eliminates the need for lots of facets on the underside of the stone and can make a shaped diamond appear much larger and more distinct.

5. Go with your heart. In the end, you should pick the diamond that makes you the happiest and that you think is the most beautiful. Whether it is trendy, timeless or just "totally you," your diamond is a serious purchase and you cannot emotionally afford buyer's remorse after the deal is done. Do not spend outside your budget, but make sure that you pick a cut that makes every dollar feel worth it.

Tips & Warnings

• Whenever you make a significant purchase such as diamond jewelry, you should consult a financial adviser as well as a trusted, certified jeweler to make sure that you are aware of all the ramifications of such a purchase.