Antwerp Cut vs. Ideal Cut (in U.S.) - What''s the difference?

[Meticulous1]

As I research all I can on the internet, I came across a website in Europe where they sing the praises of the Antwerp Cut ( http://www.antwerpideal.com/ ). On this website, they say that a pavilion angle of 40.5° is optimal, which differs from what I have read almost everywhere in the U.S. (where a pavilion angle of 40.8° is considered optimal, I think). So I guess my question is - which one of these cuts is "better?" Does the pavilion angle make that much of a difference?

Thank you!

 

[belle]

''optimal''? what is that?
keep in mind there is no one number (or angle) that you can say is the best or ''optimal''. a diamond is made up of many different angles that work together. even if you had the ''optimal'' pavilion angle, you would need a corresponding and complimentary crown angle for it to work. it''s not just one number but all of them working together.
after all of that, you still need to find what is ''optimal'' to your eyes.