Diamond Selection Guide
Professional Diamond Selection Guide
Expert guidance for selecting the perfect diamond
Quick Navigation
Round Brilliant Cut
Optimal Cut Parameters
Parameter | Ideal Range | Acceptable Range |
---|---|---|
Table % | 57% - 58% | 56% - 60% |
Depth % | 61% - 62.5% | 59% - 63% |
Crown Angle | 34.0° - 35.0° | 33.0° - 36.0° |
Pavilion Angle | 40.6° - 41.0° | 40.0° - 42.0° |
Girdle | Slightly Thick | Medium - Thick |
💎 Expert Tips
- Choose Triple Excellent (3EX) cut grade
- Ensure Excellent symmetry and polish
- Avoid too deep or too shallow depths
Maximizing Fire & Brilliance
The brilliance and fire of a round diamond primarily depend on cut quality. Key factors include:
- Optimal combination of pavilion and crown angles
- Balanced table percentage
- Perfect symmetry
- Excellent polish grade
🌟 Ideal Combination
Crown angle 34.5° + Pavilion angle 40.8° produces optimal fire and brilliance
Pear Shape Diamond
Optimal Cut Parameters
Parameter | Ideal Range | Acceptable Range |
---|---|---|
Length to Width | 1.50 - 1.65 | 1.45 - 1.75 |
Depth % | 58% - 62% | 56% - 64% |
Table % | 53% - 57% | 51% - 59% |
🎯 Minimizing Bow-tie Effect
- Choose appropriate depth (58-62%)
- Ensure excellent symmetry
- Avoid extreme length-to-width ratios
- Check pavilion angle uniformity
Selection Guidelines
⚠️ Key Checkpoints
- Verify point symmetry and centering
- Check shoulder uniformity
- Assess girdle thickness
- Evaluate overall shape harmony
✅ Recommended Features
- Perfect symmetry in wing curves
- Optimal L/W ratio (1.55-1.65)
- Even pavilion angles
- Excellent polish and symmetry
Radiant Cut
Parameter | Ideal Range |
---|---|
Length to Width Ratio | 1.00 - 1.05 (Square) / 1.20 - 1.30 (Rectangular) |
Total Depth | 61% - 67% |
Table % | 61% - 69% |
💎 Selection Tips
- Check for uniform facet patterns
- Ensure cut corners are even
- Verify symmetry of facets
- Assess overall brilliance distribution
Oval Cut
Parameter | Ideal Range |
---|---|
Length to Width Ratio | 1.35 - 1.50 |
Depth % | 58% - 62% |
🔍 Key Considerations
- Minimize bow-tie effect
- Check symmetry of curves
- Evaluate overall brilliance
General Selection Guidelines
The 4Cs Focus
Couper
Prioritize cut quality as it directly affects brilliance and fire
Clarté
Recommend VS2 or better for eye-clean appearance
Couleur
D-F for exceptional white, G-H for best value
Carat
Consider slightly below whole numbers for better value
Practical Buying Tips
💡 Certification
- Prioritize GIA or IGI certificates
- Verify certificate numbers match
- Review cut grades carefully
🔍 Physical Inspection
- Observe fire and brilliance under different lighting
- Use loupe to check inclusions
- Check for fluorescence
Market Trends
- Growing popularity of fancy shapes
- Increasing demand for lab-grown diamonds
- Sustainable and ethical sourcing preferences
Value Tips
- Consider VS2 clarity for best value
- G-H color offers excellent price-quality ratio
- Compare prices across different retailers
Additional Resources
- Request detailed diamond plots
- Use online diamond comparison tools
- Consult with certified gemologists