Select Your Diamond shape:
Diamond Glossary
Because its so important to be fully informed when buying a diamond we have compiled this diamond glossary of industry terminology:
A rectangular-shaped diamond with step-like facets. A tapered baguette has two longer sides that taper inwards.
Blemishes are the (external) marks that occur on the surface of a stone. They affect the diamond’s clarity.
The dark, bow-tie shape seen in the table of pear-, oval- and marquise-shaped polished diamonds.
Also known as “fire”, brilliance is the amount a diamond sparkles when light is reflected through its facets. Think of it as the intensity of the white light when a diamond is looked at in the face-up position.
Designed to maximize brilliance, a brilliant-cut diamond’s facets radiate outwards from the centre of the stone. Brilliant cuts include round diamonds, ovals, radiants, princesses, hearts, marquises, and pears.
The highly qualified craftsman who puts on and polishes the final 40 facets of a diamond. A brillianteer works after the cross-cutter.
The process by which the diamond's girdle is formed, the basic dimension of the finished diamond.
The standardised unit of weight for gemstones and the unit by which a diamond is measured. One metric carat equals 200 milligrams, or 0.2 grams. A carat can also be divided into 100 'points' – a 50-point stone being the same as a 1/2-carat. Usually abbreviated ct.
Diamonds should always be certified by an independent laboratory. SA Cut Diamonds are not only certified by XXX but are also certified conflict free.
Refers to the number of inclusions within a diamond as well as the amount of blemishes on its surface. A stone with no imperfections under 10x magnification is termed 'flawless' and is very valuable.
A method of splitting rough diamond crystals in preparation for the cutting process. When struck by a blow, a diamond will split either along or parallel to certain planes. (Sawing in another method.)
A grouping of tiny inclusions that, under magnification, look like a transparent cloud inside the diamond.
Gem stones are graded on a colour scale established by the Gemmological Institute of America (GIA). The scale ranges from colourless, 'D', to tinted yellow, 'Z'. The more colourless a diamond, the greater its sparkle and value
A system of grading diamond colours based on their colorlessness (for white diamonds) or their spectral hue, depth of colour and purity of colour (for fancy colour diamonds). For white diamonds, the grading system runs from D (totally colourless) to Z (light yellow).
The highly qualified craftsman who grinds (puts on) the diamond’s first 16 facets.
The upper portion of a cut diamond, which lies above the girdle.
The bottom point of a diamond. It can be polished into a facet or surface or simply left as a point.
The shape into which a rough diamond is cut and polished. As the only man-made contribution to a diamond's beauty and value, a diamond cutter must balance the proportions, symmetry and polish of a diamond while maximising the size and angle between the facets and other surfaces. Cut also refers to the actual shape of the diamond, eg round brilliant cut or princess cut.
The height, in millimetres, of a diamond from the culet (bottom point) to the table (crown).
A crystal compromising 99.9% pure carbon atoms arranged in an uniquely isometric, or cubic, crystal arrangement. Formed at extremely high temperatures and pressures deep below the earth’s surface, diamonds are the hardest natural substance on earth and, some say, the most beautiful.
The process by which a rough diamond mined deep from within the earth is shaped into a finished, faceted and beautifully polished stone.
An instrument used to measure a diamond's length, width and depth in millimetres.
The way a diamond breaks up a ray of white light into colour. Skilfully cut and angled facets create the effect of flashes of colour across the diamond’s surface when it is tilted. Dispersion is sometimes referred to as "fire".
The device used to hold a diamond when it is being polished.
Also known as a double rosette, this cut features a rose on the top and bottom.
A square or rectangular-shaped diamond with cut corners. Click here for SA Cut Diamonds Emerald Cut diamonds.
A diamond with no blemishes or inclusions visible to the naked eye.
An additional facet (not required by the cut) applied to remove a small blemish.
The polished surfaces of a diamond. These smooth, flat faces on the diamond’s surface allow light to enter and reflect at different angles, creating fire and sparkle.
Fancy coloured diamonds are naturally coloured diamonds that are very rare (only one in every 10 000 diamonds has natural colour) and hugely valuable as a result. Fancy colours include red, emerald green, sapphire blue, pink, black, orange or brown.
Any diamond shape other than round.
A type of inclusion, flaw or small fracture within a diamond caused by tremendous pressure when it was formed deep underground. Viewed under magnification, it often appears white and feathery.
Qualities bestowed to a diamond’s appearance by the skill of the diamond cutter, including execution of design, precision of cutting, and quality of polish. On a diamond's grading report, finish is graded according to two categories: polish and symmetry.
The flashing colours seen when a well-cut diamond is moved, resulting from the intensity of the dispersion of light. See also “dispersion” and “scintillation”.
A form of illumination created when a diamond is exposed to ultraviolet radiation. Under most lighting conditions, this fluorescence is not detectable to the eye.
A crack on the surface of a diamond.
A diamond that is of gem quality, i.e possesses desirable properties and is worth cutting. Only about 10% of all diamonds found are of gem quality.
The Gemmological Institute of America, responsible for developing and standardizing the diamond grading system currently used by most gem labs worldwide.
The outer edge, or outline, of the diamond's shape. It can be faceted, polished or smooth. Girdle thickness varies and range from extremely thin to extremely thick, with four grades in the middle that are considered to be optimal.
Also known as bruting or rounding, the rough stone is rounded and the girdle is formed.
Diamond is the hardest naturally occurring substance on earth. For this reason, diamond jewellery should always be stored separately from other pieces as they can scratch other gem stones. Industrial diamonds are used in heavy industry.
A fancy shape diamond cut, shaped like a heart.
A clarity characteristic or flaw found within a diamond. Most inclusions were created when the gem first formed in the earth.
A diamond not of gem quality used for industrial applications such as drilling or cutting. Approximately 90% of diamonds are used for industrial applications.
A fancy shape diamond that is a slim oval shape with tapered, pointed ends.
Polished diamonds up to about 0.25ct. in weight.
Part of the natural surface of a rough diamond left on the girdle of a polished stone to achieve maximum weight retention.
A culet that is larger than normal.
A larger than normal table facet.
Diamond mining from the surface.
Diamond mining from the surface.
A fancy shape diamond cut that is like an elongated version of a round cut.
A jewellery setting in which numerous small diamonds are mounted close together to create a glittering ‘crust’ of diamonds.
The bottom part of a polished stone, below the girdle.
A fancy shape diamond cut that resembles a teardrop.
A unit of measurement to describe the weight of diamonds. One point is equivalent to one-hundredth of a carat, so a 0.45ct stone is also known as a “45 pointer”.
Blemishes on a stone’s surface that aren’t significant enough to affect the clarity grade of the diamond. Polish is an indicator of the quality of a diamond's cut and is graded from Ideal to Poor.
A brilliant cut fancy shape that is either square or rectangular.
The degree of excellence of a diamond, as measured by those factors that determine it's worth, i.e., its cut, carat weight, clarity and colour. Click here for more about the 4Cs.
A brilliant cut fancy shape that resembles a square or rectangle with cropped corners.
Crystals of diamonds as found in the mines, before they are cut.
A grainy or pitted girdle that may include small nicks or scratches.
The most popular diamond cut today. Its 58 facets maximise fire and sparkle.
The method by which the diamond is cut against the grain. Cleavage is another method.
The horizontal, rotating turntable or grinding wheel on which a diamond is polished. Watch the SA Cut Diamonds tour for more information.
Sometimes called "sparkle," scintillation refers to the flashing, twinkling sparkle of a diamond when it moves under light. It depends on the number, size, and position of the facets as well as the quality of the polish.
The largest facet on the top of a diamond’s crown.
A triangular-shaped brilliant fancy cut.
A term to describe the colourless nature of a diamond. The more 'white' a stone, the greater its rarity and value.
©
SA CUT DIAMONDS. All Rights Reserved. Use of this Website constitutes acceptance of the SACutDiamonds.com Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Back
Go to top