Too much emphasis on polish and symmetry?

[BigLou]

I know that many of you have varied opinions on the polish and symmetry of a diamond. Is it really that big of a change between good, very good, excellent, and ideal? I've seen similar stones that the only differences (basically) were these gradings and I wasn't really more impressed with the fire, brilliance, scintillation of the excellent spec over that of the good spec. Am I missing something?

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

There are several flaws in the methodology that labs use to rate symmetry.
Read the Tutorial and parts of www.diamond-cut.com.au for my opinion.