![]() ![]() ![]() On the other hand, you don’t want to sacrifice weight with a girdle that’s too thin, for example, because that can affect the diamond’s durability, making it more vulnerable to damage. The added weight will not make the diamond have better brilliance, fire and scintillation, but it will jack up the cost. However, one diamond has greater depth or a thicker girdle, so it weighs more. The girdle’s diameter is basically the width of the diamond if you’re looking down on it, also known as its “face-up size.” The rule of thumb is that a diamond should not weigh more than its face-up size would indicate.įor instance, say you have two diamonds with the same average girdle diameter, so they appear to have the same face-up size. A diamond’s girdle is the intersection of its crown and pavilion, which defines its perimeter. Weight ratio represents a diamond’s weight in relation to the diameter of its girdle. Weight ratio and durability are two other components that affect diamond cut. They each influence how light behaves as it passes through a diamond and back to your eyes. These include such things as the angles of a diamond’s crown (see illo above, top of the diamond) and pavilion (bottom portion, also above), as well as the measurements of its facets (flat surfaces). (We’re about to get all Iron Man-Tony Stark science-y here, so hang in there).Īccording to Al Gilbertson, project manager of diamond-cut research at the GIA (who was also part of the team that developed the GIA Cut Grading System), brilliance, fire and scintillation are essential in creating a diamond’s “face-up appearance.” Face-up appearance refers to how a diamond would look from above, as if set in an engagement ring.Ī diamond’s proportions also contribute to its face-up appearance. Cut is one of the 4Cs that form the basis of the GIA’s International Diamond Grading System, considered the universal standard for diamonds. These “superpowers” are three of seven components that the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) individually assesses to determine the quality of a diamond’s cut. Their selection spans from vintage to modern - and across all budgets. Go to White Flash or James Allen to see what kinds of ring designs work best with that shape (and others). How the Cut Affects Brilliance, Fire and Scintillation It also helps if the flashes are blinding and mind-numbing on the verge of hypnotic, much like Dazzler’s powers. Scintillation is most effective when there’s an even pattern of bright and dark areas in the diamond, causing the flashes of light to be balanced in size. Photo of diamond scintillation by DiamondGalaxy / Shutterstock. Scintillation also includes brilliance and fire, resulting in a mosaic of light in motion. It’s the Dazzler of the bunch that leads to flashes of light, produced by the pattern of bright and dark areas caused by reflections within the diamond as it moves in the light. Scintillation is a sexy word for sparkle. White light enters a diamond, splits into the seven colors of the spectrum and is returned to your eyes as colorful twinkles called “fire.” (Photo by © Gemological Institute of America) Superpower No. This image shows the effect of light dispersion in a diamond. The diamond’s facets then scatter that brilliant color in every direction. When white light passes through a transparent medium such as a diamond, the stone acts like a prism, splitting the light into the seven colors of the spectrum. ![]() This rainbow effect is a result of light dispersion. You can see yellow, blue, and violet colors throughout the diamond below. It’s a burst of colors much like the “fireworks” that teen superhero Jubilee generates from her fingers (but without the temporary blindness or fatal detonation). 2: Diamond Fireįire is one of the most magical effects of a diamond. Imagine Emma Frost of X-Men fame in her all-white outfits, or better yet, in living-diamond form. It’s the awesome effect of all the internal and external white light reflected from a diamond’s facets back to your eyes. Some even say a diamond can’t be considered beautiful without it. 1: Diamond Brillianceīrilliance-also called brightness-is the first thing you notice about a diamond. They are known as go-to sellers of ideal cut diamonds. Look for super sparkle at sites like Whiteflash, Brian Gavin, and James Allen. They’re the BOOM! ZAP! WOW! effect that will have the woman of your dreams gobsmacked over the ring and utterly smitten with you.īigger isn’t always better. ![]() You’ll want to get to know these three really well. These are three other lesser-known attributes that contribute to a diamond’s beauty: brilliance, fire and scintillation. We’re not talking about the 4Cs here necessarily (although cut comes into play). Like most superheroes, diamonds have extraordinary powers. They’re basically indestructible and have been known to save the day (ask any guy who’s been in the doghouse). Diamonds are the superheroes of the gemstone world. ![]()
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