Diamond Selection Guide

Professional Diamond Selection Guide

Professional Diamond Selection Guide

Expert guidance for selecting the perfect diamond

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

This guide is for reference purposes only. Always consult with certified professionals for specific diamond selections.

© 2025 Professional Diamond Selection Guide

Updated: January 2025