Unfortunately, contrary to the belief of a lot of consumers all ideal cut diamonds do not perform the same in brilliance and sparkle. The availability of ideal cut diamonds makes it the preference for most people wanting the maximum brilliance and sparkle in a diamond but it also begs the question how do you know it is an ideal cut diamond? By whose criteria are we basing this assumption on? Do we believe the seller, or the paperwork it comes with? Are all the certificates valid in their cut grading?
We would say that the average consumer may have some difficulty in defining his ideal cut diamond purchase if he is looking for the best ideal cut possible. In this internet age, online purchasing for any product is possible and so it is with diamonds. Purchasing a diamond by just looking at the certificate information consumers may think that they know what they are getting. It would still be a sight unseen purchase based on unconfirmed information. It may not be as nice as it seems by the paperwork.
The two most respected grading laboratories in the world are AGS (American Gem Society) and GIA (Gemological Institute of America). AGS has been grading the cut of a round diamond for about fifteen years GIA has done so for about five years. Even the best laboratories do not use the same criteria in grading the cut of a diamond. We notice that AGS is a bit stricter in their cut grading than GIA. It is also noted that within each of their cut grade determinations there are poorer ideal cut diamonds and there are better cut ideal diamonds .Consumers would not know how to tell the difference just by looking at the certificate information.
Would you like to purchase the best of the best in ideal cut round diamonds or perhaps the best in any shape of diamond regardless whether it is cut graded or not? Presently GIA only grades the cut for round diamonds and AGS does it for rounds and princess cut diamonds. Once you have confirmed it is an ideal cut diamond by the information listed on the certificate you would then need to be able to tell whether it is a great ideal cut or a poor one.
There is special equipment available that can help define which of two ideal cut diamonds are better. They do it by visually showing light loss and light return present in any diamond. Equipment that visually assesses brilliance currently available are the Diamond Photoscope, the Idealscope and the Firescope. GCAL (Gem Certification and Assurance Lab) has equipment that assesses light return the same way.
As the following illustration depicts an ideal cut diamond returns the most light like a mirror, poorly cut diamonds do not and leaks through the bottom and sides of the diamond. If a colored light is directed toward the diamond then an ideal cut diamond acting as a mirror will return that colored light back to the observer’s eye. If it is poorly cut the colored light that is shined at the diamond will leak out though the diamond and the background lighting will show the areas where light is leaking. The areas where light is lost are the areas where there will be not brilliance or sparkle. This is an accurate visual assessment of the light return quality in any diamond.
Light return diagrams
The following examples are the actual differences between two ideal cut diamonds, using the Diamond Photoscope to assess light return and light leakage. Both of these diamonds are graded as excellent cut grade by GIA the polish and symmetry are also graded as excellent. You cannot grade these diamonds any higher. In these pictures green is the areas in which light returns and red is where light leaks.
Certificate information for both diamonds.
Diamond #1
Weight: 0.90 ct.
Shape: Round Brilliant
Color: H
Clarity: VS2
Measurements: 6.21 – 6.24 x 3.81 mm
Total Depth Percentage: 61.2%
Table Size Percentage: 56%
Girdle Measurements: Thin - sltk, f
Culet: None
Fluorescence: None
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
Cut Grade: Excellent
Laboratory: GIA
Report Number: 2101874948
Diamond #2
Weight: 1.28 ct.
Shape: Round Brilliant
Color: I
Clarity: SI1
Measurements: 6.95 – 7.00 x 4.32 mm
Total Depth Percentage: 61.9%
Table Size Percentage: 58%
Girdle Measurements: Thin - med, f
Culet: None
Fluorescence: Medium Blue
Polish: Excellent
Symmetry: Excellent
Cut Grade: Excellent
Laboratory: GIA
Report Number: 2105839193
Light return and light loss in 0.90 ct
Light return and light loss in 1.28 ctAs you have observed knowing the certificate information does not guarantee a great looking diamond. Having access to specialized equipment will help immensely in your search for the most beautiful diamonds available. If you truly want the most beautiful ideal cut diamond further research is necessary.
Mahalo,
Russell Oshita
The Diamond Specialists Inc.
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