Diamond Cut

Diamond Tutorial

Diamond Cut

Basic 4C's
	Introduction
	Diamond Grading Report
	Diamond Carat Weight
	Diamond Cut
	Diamond Clarity
	Diamond Color
	Diamond Anatomy
	What to buy?
Fancy Cut Diamonds
	Fancy Shapes
	Princess Cut Diamond
	Radiant Cut Diamonds
	Emerald Cut Diamonds
	Asscher Cut Diamonds
	Cushion Cut Diamonds
	Oval Cut Diamonds
	Marquise Cut Diamond
	Pear Cut Diamonds
	Heart Cut Diamonds
	Trillion Cut Diamonds
Advanced Info
	Tolkowsky Ideal Cut
	Crown and Pavilion
	Holloway Cut Adviser
	AGS Ideal Cut
	Firescope & Ideal-Scope
	Hearts and Arrows Diamonds
	Table Size
	Fish-eye
	60:60
	Spread
	Diamond Girdle Thickness
	Diamond Culet
	Diamond Symmetry
	Diamond Polish
	Diamond Fluorescence
	Proportion Scanners
	Brilliance, Fire and Scintillation
	Diamond Glare
	Pricing & Lab's
	Treatments & Synthetics
	Investment
AGA Cut Grading
	Round Brilliant
	Princess
	Emerald & Radiant
	Marquise, Pear, Oval, Heart
	Glossary
	References
	Disclaimer
Further Reading
	Diamond Prices
	Engagement rings
	Diamonds :)

Of the 4 C's, cut quality is the hardest to pin down. But Cut counts the most, it turns a pebble of diamond into a sparkling gem. Sadly most diamonds are not well cut; D Flawless diamonds are often poorly cut and sparkle less than well cut lower quality diamonds.

Pricescope have been critical of lab Cut grading, but now AGS have released a new improved system and GIA, who have never graded cut, promise to soon.

If you want a really simple 'Cut' explanation, click here: De Beers. If you are serious, then keep reading.

Three Approaches to Cut Grading:

1.	Proportions are measured with a Sarin, Ogi, or Helium scanner. Old systems use the worst proportion as the 'grade maker'. AGS used this flawed method until May 2005. You can reject bad proportioned diamonds with Pricescope's free HCA for round diamonds and AGA for other shapes. These tools can narrow your search, but are not for final "selection"; symmetry and other factors also need to be considered.	Helium Scanner
2.	Direct assessment – Ideal-Scope viewers and photos show leakage and light return. Hearts and Arrows viewers are for grading symmetry, but some H&A's do not score <2 on HCA. The Brilliancescope and ISee-2 shine light onto a diamond and give digital pixel counts. Both give a good indication of diamond performance, but neither gives the same grade for the same diamond.	Ideal-Scope Pattern Features
3.	A virtual 3D model from a Sarin or Helium scanner can be viewed and tested here with a free GemAdviser download. 3D methods give new R&D Ray Trace Cut info and virtual ideal-scope images.	Diamond Calculator

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