Cut:  Cut is the only one of the 4 C’s that is not dictated by nature and refers to the angles and proportions a skilled craftsman places on a diamond.  A well-cut diamond reflects the light internally from one facet of the diamond to the other before exploding back as brilliance and scintillation to the viewer.  Angles that are too deep or too shallow actually lose light through the bottom or side and do not appear as “sparkly” as a well-cut diamond.  Over the past several years, the cut of the diamond has become an even greater factor in the value of a diamond.  There is no standardized scale, but many of the gemological laboratories are developing their own grading standards for cut.

Sometimes the actual shape of the diamond is confused with the technical “cut” of the diamond.  Remember that the cut of the diamond refers to the angles and proportions and the way the diamond reflects light.  The shape of the diamond is simply a matter of personal preference.  Diamonds come in the following shapes:  round or brilliant, oval, marquise, pear, radiant or princess, and emerald.