4C - Cut

CUT - The Finish

Just like two people, no two diamonds are alike; the subtle differences between each stone are what make a diamond uniquely beautiful.

Gemological laboratories such as the GIA (Gemological Institute of America) and the IGI (International Gemological Institute) use a universal system to describe a diamond's appearance and officially evaluate its quality. Diamond grading is based on the so-called 4Cs: cut, color, clarity, and carat .

Several factors determine a diamond's beauty and contribute to its value. Understanding the 4Cs and knowing what to look for in a stone can ensure that your diamond is as valuable as it is beautiful.

What are the 4Cs of a diamond?

The 4Cs—cut, color, clarity, and carat— are the four key factors that determine a diamond's quality and value. These characteristics describe a diamond's appearance—from its luster to its sparkle—and also help determine its price.

It's important to consider the 4Cs when purchasing a diamond, as many factors that determine value aren't immediately apparent. Especially when purchasing online, it can be difficult to assess a diamond's value based on a photo alone. Therefore, always check the stone's grading to ensure the price is appropriate.

Let’s take a closer look at each of these categories:

diamond cut

The cut of a diamond describes the interplay of proportion, polish, and symmetry. The cut is what distinguishes a round brilliant from a rectangular emerald-cut diamond. It's not about the shape of the stone—which determines its external silhouette—but rather what happens inside.

The cut significantly determines a diamond's light performance—that is, how sparkling, brilliant, and reflective it appears. The quality of a diamond depends heavily on the cut. In fact, the cut is arguably the most important factor when it comes to evaluating a stone.

The facets of a diamond refract, scatter, and reflect light, creating a multitude of effects. Each facet pattern creates something unique, special, and almost magical. Therefore, jewelers must be artists, mathematicians, and, to some extent, magicians—because only precisely calculated angles create these breathtaking plays of light.

A well-cut diamond reflects light directly upward through its crown (the upper facets), revealing that characteristic, sparkling appearance that makes diamonds so desirable.

If a diamond's cut is too deep, too shallow, or unbalanced, light escapes through the stone's lower facets (pavilions). This causes the diamond to lose its brilliance and appear dull or lackluster.

The cut of a diamond is rated on a ten-point scale from Poor to Ideal .
At Stellini Diamonds we only carry diamonds with a cut from Excellent to Ideal .