Ideal Diamond Cut - (Part 2)

Diamond proportioning began in 1919 when a mathematician named Tolkowsky used numerical formulas to achieve the modern brilliant cut. He did this by cutting a diamond so that all light entering the stone followed a controlled path to exit the top of the diamond.

In 1919 the diamond cutting industry was not advanced enough to apply Tolkowky’s mathematical angles and dimensions. Instead it used variations of the cut, based on what the technology of the time could do. As technology advanced, so did the ability to better approximate the ideal Tolkowsky cut, which provides the best return of light in a diamond. It is possible for an experienced diamond grader to estimate, within a decade, when an older diamond was cut by observing where on the technology timeline its proportioning falls and how well is achieves Tolkowsky's ideal cut formula.

The best cut casts a perfect shadow on a wall when a beam of light is shone on it. Very few will do that because, due to many factors, most diamonds deviate from the perfect cut. The perfect cut diamond is difficult to achieve, and many people differ as to what is a perfectly cut diamond.

A properly cut diamond is proportioned so that no matter where light enters the stone...from the top, sides or bottom… the light is directed out the top of the stone. This is difficult to achieve, but mathematically possible. The reason is that a diamond is cut to capture light entering it from a 360-degree sphere.

Controlled Path of Light
In a properly cut diamond, all light entering, no matter from what direction or angle, will always exit out the top of the stone. This is what makes a diamond sparkle.

“Flash for the Cash” is crucial in diamond evaluation and diamond buying. Cut and proportioning can account for a 20 to 40 percent difference in price between diamonds that are otherwise equal. In other words:
Store A may offer you a SI1/H 1.00ct diamond for $6,500.00.Story B may offer you a SI1/H 1.00ct diamond for $5.000.00.

You may think that Store B is giving you a significant discount directly from the wholesaler or the diamond mines, but what they don’t tell you is that you are getting a shallow or deep cut diamond and not an ideal cut. Remember, when you shop for diamonds there is more to diamond grading/pricing than just clarity and color. There is also the cut grade.