how important is table size?

[pinebud]

Hi, I am wondering what the table is on a diamond. I am thinking about a radiant diamond and was wondering how important is a "good table" on this cut of a diamond. What would be the visual implicaitons of having a less-than-ideal table %?

Many thanks.

Pinebud

 

[mike04456]

The table is the big facet on top. It's the largest facet and consequently has a big effect on the appearance and light return.




There are guides to proportions, but with fancy shapes you really have to see them to be sure--cut science is far more developed with rounds than with other shapes, and even then it's inexact.

 

[pqcollectibles]

LawGem is absolutely correct. There are guidelines for Fancy cuts. Here's a link to the cut chart for radiants:

http://diamonds.pricescope.com/fnc2.asp

You really need to go beyond the guidelines tho. A radiant can look great by specs on paper and be a dud. That's where a great Vendor and Appraiser are really helpful to assist you in your search. They can be your eyes to finding a fabulous performer.

 

[Nicrez]

In my radiant search, I have noticed it is best to keep the table size lower than 70%, only because if the table is too large, the stone will see to have a glassy circle around the center part of the center. This happens in conjunction with a shallow depth. Some people cut these stones with a large table and low depth to make the stone look larger "carat wise", but it really messes with the stone's fire and sparkle.

Keep both Table and Depth to under 70% and you've got a better chance of seeing a stone with little to no bow-tie and/or fisheyes...Also, if you can notice if the crown angles are higher, it would also be within better proportions. If the crown is too low, and the table is wide, you are almost cut like a princess, which is an improper cut for a radiant. Yes you have to see the stone, but when you do, don't let people convince you it's your stone until you see as many as you can, and it's still the stone that calls out to you. Good luck!