The diamond's Cut, which is one of the most crucial of the 4C, not only drastically impacts its appearance but also significantly influences its cost. It is, therefore, crucial to have a basic understanding of the Cut grade to ensure that you make a wise decision that you will cherish forever. To assist you in this, we have compiled a comprehensive guide that covers everything you need to know about diamond cuts. To keep this guide brief and convenient for future reference, we have divided it into two parts - one for Round diamonds and the other for all Other shapes.

PART 1: ROUND DIAMONDS

According to official standards, only round diamonds are assigned a Cut grade in their laboratory certificates. Accredited certifiers, such as IGI, rank the Cut on a scale of highest to lowest, including Ideal, Excellent, Very Good, Good, and so forth, based on how well they conform to the established dimensions for that particular carat weight. Since all of the dimensions of round diamonds can be compared to a set of perfect measurements, they are the only Cut for which this is possible. 

WHAT DOES THE CUT MEAN?

It can be challenging to distinguish between an "ideal cut" and an "excellent cut" or between an "excellent cut" and a "very good cut" with the naked eye. However, the difference in sparkle becomes more apparent when comparing the top and bottom grades, such as "ideal cut" and "very good cut," side by side. In essence, the Cut grade serves as a crucial indicator of how effectively a diamond absorbs and reflects light. Lower cut grades result in some of the light escaping from the side, leading to a decrease in overall sparkle.

You may have observed that the price of a diamond tends to increase slightly as you move up the Cut grades. However, if you are working within a specific budget, it is generally advisable to choose a larger carat weight stone by sacrificing a Cut grade since the size is readily noticeable to the naked eye. On the other hand, to discern the differences in sparkle, you must compare the diamond with others, making it less visible.

If you are working with a tight budget, it is advisable to opt for a "very good cut" diamond, which will enable you to purchase a larger stone. However, if you are seeking a sparkling diamond and are willing to spend more, choosing an "excellent cut" diamond is highly recommended for a fantastic deal.

We highly recommend booking an appointment to visit our Malaysian showroom and experience the variations in diamond cuts for yourself. This way, you can see the differences firsthand and make an informed decision when selecting your diamond.

PART 2. ALL OTHER SHAPES 

Unlike Round diamonds, the dimensions and size of fancy-shaped diamonds can vary significantly, which makes it difficult to establish standard dimensions for comparison. For example, Oval diamonds can be more elongated or more rounded, and Cushion diamonds can be more rectangular or squarish. As a result, diamond certifiers do not assign Cut grades to any shapes other than Round diamonds because the Cut quality cannot be compared against a set of perfect measurements.