Cut

The last of the four Cs is the only one that can be influenced by man. The others are all intrinsic to the stone when it is formed. Great skill and experience is needed to cut and polish minute surfaces, or facets, into the rough diamond.

Often, more than 50% of the original diamond will be cut away to form the final sparkling stone.

The cut refers to the angles, proportions, symmetry and finish introduced in this process, and also to the final shape of a diamond. Although most stones are cut as ‘round brilliants’, there are a whole variety of different shapes including princess, marquise, pear and emerald.

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