Culets. What''s the point????

[oldminer]

cu·let (plural cu·lets)
a noun

flat face on gemstone: the flat face at the back or base of a faceted gemstone

[Late 17th century. From French, literally “little base,” from cul (see culottes).]
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I see dealers and sellers referring to culets as being "the point on the pavilion of the diamond" Truthfully, it disturbs me, as I am conscious of the value of exactly communicating via words. Our language is rich in the capability to communicate, but few people use it well. That's modern life and culture, but we need to focus here on our main subject; diamonds.

The culet is a flat surface. It is the opposite of the table facet. There was a time, not so many years ago, that a pointed culet or no culet, was a deduction in the AGS system and the stone could not get an AGS 0 cut grade. With the change of mounting styles, diamonds don't often chip their culet anymore so a pointed base is okay today. Older settings, ones with low stone height, had many chances greater to chip a culet. So, I see the point, no pun intended, of making this minor change in grading standards.

If someone tells you the culet is the point, you should know that there is no culet on a pointed pavilion stone. Only when there is a flat facet is there a culet.

Did I make the point?

One more tiny fact to add to the notes.

Happy weekend to all.

 

[moremoremore]

I don't have the energy to read today...but thanks for the cute title that gave me a giggle!

 

[Hest88]

Yes. This is why a definition of a modern RB will say that it contains 57 OR 58 facets. The difference is in the presence or absence of the culet.

 

[Nicrez]

Wow, I just bought a book today of useless facts to know to look smart. I am absolutely certain that the smarty pants who authored this books didn't have THIS kind of knowledge...I DO NOW!




I never knew that and that was very very interesting to know! Thanks guys!

 

[Lynn B]

I have always wondered about this. Thanks, Dave!

But I do still have a question or two...

1. "No culet" means then that the point is still totally pointy... "untampered" with?

2. How does the "faceted" culet of today compare to the old mine cut of yesterday?

Thanks!
Lynn

 

[Jennifer5973]

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On 6/11/2004 3:09:43 PM oldminer wrote: ....
it disturbs me, as I am conscious of the value of exactly communicating via words. Our language is rich in the capability to communicate, but few people use it well. ----------------

How true and eloquently stated. As a former English teacher and writer by trade, it amazes me how poorly people communicate, esp. in writing. Excellent education on culet also...I now fully understand this term.

PS There are some decent writers on Pscope, though; present company included.

 

[WinkHPD]

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On 6/12/2004 6:22:24 AM Jennifer5973 wrote:

----------------
On 6/11/2004 3:09:43 PM oldminer wrote: ....
it disturbs me, as I am conscious of the value of exactly communicating via words. Our language is rich in the capability to communicate, but few people use it well. ----------------

How true and eloquently stated. As a former English teacher and writer by trade, it amazes me how poorly people communicate, esp. in writing. Excellent education on culet also...I now fully understand this term.

PS There are some decent writers on Pscope, though; present company included.

----------------

Dang! If'n I had knowed there were a English teacher here I wud be 'fraid to write enythang.

Wink

P.S. Dave, when did AGS make the change in the grading system to allow pointed culets to receive a ) grade? I have to admit that I did not remember that being the case, although I am sure I must have known it once...

 

[hoorray]

hmmmm... If I remember correctly, Glitterata is an English teacher also. Better watch that grammar Wink! Between my typing and lack of spellking, ability, I'm already a lost cause.....

Thanks for the info Oldminer. I didn't know this. Question tho... How come GIA reports often say None and I think AGS reports say Pointed, but a sarin report will give a number such as .4%? I assume the reports mean that the culet is not faceted, so what does the sarin number represent?

 

[Jennifer5973]

Typos don't count!

 

[kevinng]

Hi Oldminer,

There is this brand called Destinee, carried by a reputable local jewel retail chain in Singapore. These are basically 57-facet H&As. Part of their marketing message is that light escapes through the culet. So, the light return is better without the culet. Is that true?

Thanks.

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

Peter Yantzer did explain the AGS position last year at a Vegas seminar.
They always believed a culet was bad because (and it is true) increase the chance of a diamond being chipped while being handled in stone papers and on the bench (eg dropping pliers on the diamond etc).
But they had demand to grade diamonds for the Asian market and in Asia everyone knows the evil spirits get into a diamond and give you bad luck via the culet. So AGS agreed to give the top grade for diamonds with closed = no culet.

BTW it is common to polish a culet first and then polish each facet until there is none - that way there is less chance of chipping the culet during polishing.