Diamond Cuts (Cut Grades, Characteristics, How It Affects Price, & More)
By
Tiffany Moore , Wednesday, September 24, 2025
0.91 ct G VS1 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Diamond
Picking an engagement ring now means choosing a cut as much as a carat; with so many shapes and terms, you can feel lost when you read about brilliance, symmetry, and price. Engagement ring trends show buyers favor cuts that boost sparkle and suit personal style, so understanding cut grades, cut quality, proportions, and light performance matters. Which shape gives the most fire and scintillation? How do depth and table percentages affect light return, and when do symmetry or polish change value? This guide explains cut grades, characteristics, price factors, and common shapes like round brilliant, princess, cushion, and emerald so you can shop with confidence.
To put that confidence into action, Whiteflash helps you
find your dream engagement ring and loose diamonds with clear images, honest grading, and expert guidance so you can compare cuts, grades, and prices with ease.
What is a Diamond Cut?
Vatche Venus Solitaire Engagement Ring
Diamond cut describes the way a stone’s facets are proportioned, shaped, and aligned to control how light travels inside and back out of the gem. Cut covers symmetry and polish as well as the geometry of the table crown, pavilion, and girdle. Those choices determine how much light the diamond returns to your eye, how much colour it disperses, and how lively it looks when it moves.
How Cut Quality Controls Sparkle and Value
Why does cut matter? A well-cut diamond keeps light inside long enough to reflect it through the crown so you see bright white flashes. If the cut is too shallow or too deep, light leaks out the sides or bottom, and the stone looks dull even when clarity and colour are good.
Trade labs, such as the
GIA, grade cut quality from Excellent to Poor, and they factor in symmetry, polish, and proportions. Professional buyers place cut quality ahead of colour and clarity when the goal is maximum sparkle.
Brilliance: How White Light Returns
What is brilliance? It is the white light a diamond throws back at your eye when it is well proportioned. Brilliance depends on table size, crown angle, and pavilion angle, together with facet placement.
When those are tuned to a strong light return, you get steady brightness across the face of the stone. If you want a clear punch of white light, choose a cut grade rated very good or excellent on a round brilliant.
Fire: How Diamonds Split Colour
Fire is the dispersion of white light into spectral colours. The facets act like tiny prisms that separate light into flashes of red, blue, yellow, and green under direct sources.
Fire tends to be more visible in diamonds with well-balanced crown and pavilion angles and in diamonds that are slightly smaller in table percentage. Fire adds colour interest that plays against brilliance.
Scintillation: The Flash When a Diamond Moves
Scintillation is the pattern of light and dark flashes you see as the diamond moves or as you change your viewing angle. Facet arrangement and the contrast between light return areas and dark areas create that dynamic sparkle. Scintillation gives a stone energy and presence when worn on the hand or under spot lighting.
IN STOCK DIAMONDS
1.088 F VS1 Round Ideal
A CUT ABOVE®
$7,950
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1.03 H VS2 Round Ideal
A CUT ABOVE®
$4,950
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1.04 H VS2 Round Ideal
A CUT ABOVE®
$4,995
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0.70 G VS1 Round Ideal
A CUT ABOVE®
$2,250
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The Main Cut Styles You Will See
Brilliant cut
This style uses triangular and kite-shaped facets to maximize brilliance and scintillation. The most familiar example is the round brilliant, which usually has 57 or 58 facets. A princess cut is another popular brilliant style in a square form.
Step cut
Step cut stones use parallel rectangular or square facets that emphasize clarity and form. The emerald and Asscher cuts are step cuts. They produce a hall of mirrors effect with broad flashes rather than the pinpoint sparkle of a brilliant cut.
Mixed cut
Mixed cut combines elements of both brilliant and step cuts to balance sparkle and clarity. Radiant and cushion cuts are common mixed styles and can carry 58 to 70 facets or more, depending on the design.
How Many Facets Matter and Why
Facet count changes how a diamond breaks up light. More facets can increase scintillation, while larger flat facets show clarity and internal features more clearly. Choose facet patterns based on whether you prefer lively sparkle or that elegant mirror look.
Reading the Diamond Cut Chart Like a Pro
What does the cut chart show? It maps proportions such as table percentage, crown angle, pavilion angle, and total depth percentage, and links them to light performance. Typical ideal ranges for a round brilliant are table 53 to 58 percent total depth, 59 to 62.5 percent crown angle, around 34 - 35 degrees, and pavilion angle around 40 to 41 degrees.
Those ranges are a helpful starting point, but overall symmetry polish and the lab cut grade tell you how the stone will actually behave under light.
Symmetry and Polish: Small Details with Big Effects
Symmetry describes how well facets line up and match. Polish describes how cleanly facets were finished. Both affect light return and the clarity of the reflections. Poor symmetry creates misdirected light and uneven sparkle, while poor polish can mute both brilliance and fire.
Practical Questions to Guide Your Choice
- Do you want maximum sparkle or a cleaner, modern look? Prioritize a higher cut grade for sparkle and a step or mixed cut for a more transparent window to the stone.
- How does the budget fit with Carat's goals? Often, one grade down in colour or clarity lets you pick a much better cut for the same price.
- Will the ring be worn daily? Look for durable cuts and secure settings that protect the girdle and corners.
How Labs and Reports Help You Compare Diamonds
GIA and other labs include:
- Cut grade tables
- Facet diagrams
- Proportion numbers on reports
Use those figures, along with images or
ideal scope photos,
ASETs and
Heart and Arrows images to compare light performance rather than relying on the report alone. Request performance images or videos to verify how a stone behaves in actual lighting conditions if they don’t provide them as standard.
Quick Buying Guidelines You Can Use Today
Prioritize cut grade over small gains in colour or clarity. Check the table depth, crown and pavilion numbers, and examine symmetry and polish. Request photos or scopes that show light return. Choose the cut style that matches the effect you want on the hand.
Different Diamond Cut Grades
In 2005, the
Gemological Institute of America released a cut grading system after more than 15 years of study into how light behaves in a round brilliant diamond. Researchers used computer modelling and feedback from over 70,000 human observers to link proportions and facet geometry to perceived brilliance, fire, and scintillation. The result is a standardized grade that measures light performance for round brilliants.
Meet the Five Cut Grades
GIA assigns one of five cut grades to round brilliant diamonds: Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair, and Poor. Each grade ties to how well the stone returns light face up and how pleasing the pattern and contrast appear to the eye.
Excellent: Maximum Brilliance
An Excellent cut returns nearly all incoming light to the viewer and shows intense brilliance and lively fire. These diamonds have precise table and depth percentages, ideal crown and pavilion angles, and tight facet alignment that produce strong scintillation and often the hearts and arrows pattern. Expect a premium price for that level of light performance.
Very Good: High Performance With Value
A Very Good cut delivers most of the light return of an Excellent stone but at a more accessible price. Proportions will vary from the ideal, producing differences in sparkle and contrast. Very Good cut isn’t a safe bet for visual impact. It’s a broad grade and many Very Good stones perform poorly.
Good: Balanced Sparkle and Size
Good cut diamonds still offer some sparkle, though they let more light leak through the pavilion or sides. Retailers may pair Good cuts with larger carat weights so buyers can prioritize size over absolute light return. These diamonds show reduced contrast and less consistent scintillation.
Fair: Noticeable Light Loss
Fair cut diamonds show visible light loss and weaker face up brilliance because proportions push light away from the viewing plane. They may look dull at certain angles and should be chosen with care, typically only for lower budgets or small accent stones. Wear and setting can affect how obvious the loss appears.
Poor: Minimal Brilliance
Poor cut diamonds return very little light to the eye and appear flat or lifeless face up. Shallow or overly deep proportions, poor symmetry, and rough polish commonly cause this outcome. These are the lowest cost entry points, but they do not deliver the visual qualities most buyers expect from an engagement stone.
LAB GROWN DIAMONDS
1.00 D VVS2 Round Ideal
Precision Lab Diamond
$1,150
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1.01 D VVS2 Round Ideal
Precision Lab Diamond
$1,165
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1.02 D VS1 Round Ideal
Precision Lab Diamond
$995
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1.02 D VVS1 Round Ideal
Precision Lab Diamond
$1,295
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What GIA Looks At: The Visual Criteria
Scintillation
Scintillation describes the flashes of light you see when the diamond or your viewpoint moves. Negative scintillation refers to dark centers or dark upper girdles that break up bright areas and reduce lively sparkle.
Pattern
Pattern is the arrangement of dark and light areas created by facet reflections and how they interact across the table and crown. A pleasing pattern has balanced light and dark regions that support good contrast and sparkle.
Contrast
Contrast measures the relief between light and dark areas that shape the face's appearance. Controlled contrast helps the eye register brilliance and fire rather than an even ,washed-out look.
What GIA Measures: The Physical Components
Weight Ratio
Weight ratio compares the diameter to the carat weight and signals whether a cutter traded proportion for weight retention. A shallow or deep girdle can increase carat weight but reduce light return because table or pavilion geometry moves light out of the viewing path.
Durability
Durability checks for thin girdles, large surface-reaching inclusions, or brittle facet junctions that increase the risk of chipping or fracture. A sound cut balances optical performance with structural integrity.
Polish
Polish refers to the smoothness of facet surfaces. Marks, nicks, or poor finishing scatter light and reduce face-up brightness even when proportions are good.
Symmetry
Symmetry looks at how precisely facets meet and mirror across the stone. Misaligned facets blur pattern definition and weaken hearts and arrows effects, which in turn reduces perceived sparkle.
Which matters most to you, size or sparkle? That question will determine whether you pursue Excellent or settle for Very Good for a larger carat.
Knife-Edge Solitaire Engagement Ring
Choosing Your Perfect Engagement Ring and Diamond
When you want to make the right choice with confidence,
Whiteflash offers an extensive selection of loose diamonds, including our precision natural
A CUT ABOVE® diamonds and designer engagement ring settings from
Tacori,
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Related Reading
Popular Diamond Cuts and Their Characteristics
Round Brilliant: The Benchmark for Brilliance
The round brilliant is engineered to return maximum light. It commonly has 58 facets, including the culet, with facet angles and proportions tuned to produce intense brilliance, fire, and scintillation. Cut grade matters most here; labs like
GIA (and especially those with an
AGS Ideal® Report) give formal cut grades that predict light performance.
Expect the round to cost more per carat because cutters sacrifice yield from the rough to hit ideal proportions. Want the brightest option for a solitaire or halo setting? The round remains the top choice for pure sparkle and predictable light return.
Princess, Radiant, and Cushion: Brilliant Alternatives That Save Money
Princess, radiant, and cushion cuts use brilliant facet patterns to create lively sparkle while often costing less per carat than rounds. The princess typically has a square outline and sharp corners; its facet pattern chops light into a sharp, lively display. The radiant blends the step and brilliant styles, often with around 70 facets, giving strong scintillation and a flexible rectangular or square outline.
Cushion presents rounded corners and larger facets that emphasize fire; its look ranges from a soft pillow to a crushed ice pattern depending on faceting. These cuts offer high light return but require attention to table, depth, and pavilion angles to avoid a dark center or uneven scintillation.
Oval, Pear, Marquise, and Heart: Fancy Brilliant Shapes That Stretch the Look
Oval, pear, marquise, and heart shapes use a modified brilliant facet layout to create intense brilliance while changing the perceived size and silhouette. Oval and marquise elongate the stone, giving more visual spread for the same carat weight; marquise and pear often show a bow tie, a dark band across the center, which skilled cutting and proportion choices can minimize.
- Oval diamonds typically have about 56 facets, and an oval length to width ratio of around 1.30 to 1.50 usually looks balanced.
- Pear shapes sit roughly between 1.45 and 1.75 in ratio; marquise commonly falls between 1.75 and 2.25.
- Heart shapes are a modified pear with a cleft and need excellent symmetry to read as a heart.
Want a finger to appear longer or a ring with a distinct silhouette? These shapes offer that, but inspect for bow tie, table size, and length-to-width ratios.
Emerald and Asscher: Step Cuts for Clarity and Refinement
Emerald and Asscher cuts use parallel step facets instead of a brilliant pattern. They emphasize a wide open table and long, linear flashes rather than scattered brilliance. These cuts display clarity and color more readily, so higher clarity grades and cleaner rough help them shine.
The emerald cut reads as elegant and geometric, often chosen for Art Deco or minimalist settings. The Asscher is a square step cut with cropped corners and a smaller table that creates a hall of mirrors effect. If you prefer flash and depth over lively sparkle, step cuts reward clean stones and precise symmetry.
Cut Factors to Watch: Facets, Proportions, and Light Performance
Facets, pavilion depth, crown angle, table percentage, and girdle thickness all change how a diamond handles light. For rounds, the lab cut grade gives a fast read; for fancy shapes, study proportions and look at light performance photos or reports like ASET or Idealscope.
Pay attention to symmetry and polish grades; poor symmetry can disrupt scintillation patterns. Also note the spread, or how large a diamond appears for its carat weight. Elongated shapes and some cushions and marquises offer greater spread, which can be helpful when budget or visual impact matters.
Clarity and Color Tradeoffs by Shape
Brilliant cuts hide inclusions better than step cuts because their faceting scatters light. That allows slightly lower clarity grades without visible flaws.
Color shows more in larger tables and step cuts, so emerald and Asscher buyers often choose higher color grades. For fancy shapes, consider mounting choices too; prongs and settings can mask slight inclusions near the girdle or tips, but they cannot fix poor light performance or alarming proportions.
Practical Questions to Guide Selection
Do you want maximum sparkle, the largest apparent size, or a vintage, geometric look? Try on different shapes to see how the diamond sits on the finger. Check length-to-width ratios for elongated cuts, inspect photos at high magnification for bow ties or dead centers, and request measurements and light performance images.
Compare prices per carat across shapes: rounds command a premium, while fancy shapes usually deliver more visual inches for the same budget.
Related Reading
How Diamond Cut Impacts Price and Value
Classic 6 Prong Solitaire Engagement Ring
Cut determines how a diamond returns light. Precise proportions, tight symmetry, and excellent polish guide light through the crown and pavilion to create brilliance, fire, and scintillation. Achieving those proportions reduces yield from the rough and requires skilled cutting, which pushes price upward. Who would not pay more for a stone that truly sparkles?
How Cut Quality Changes What You See
A high color grade and spotless clarity will not rescue a poorly cut stone. Shallow or overly deep cuts leak light or send it out the sides, producing a flat, lifeless appearance. Two diamonds with the same carat weight can look very different face up because one may reflect far more light than the other.
How Cut Shapes Face up Size and Perceived Carat
Depth percentage and table size influence face-up diameter and apparent size. Shallow cuts can make a diamond look larger but sacrifice light return, while deep cuts hide size and waste visible spread. Buyers often get a better visual impact choosing a slightly larger table and ideal depth than chasing raw carat weight alone.
Cut Grade and Certification That Drive Price
GIA and AGS Ideal grades provide objective cut information, while AGS and specific labs offer light performance reports and hearts and arrows images for precision cuts. Super ideal grades command a premium because they prove optical performance and consistency across facets.
Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® diamonds sit at the top of that scale and typically sell at higher per-carat prices.
Shape and Cut: Round Versus Fancy Shapes
Round brilliant diamonds usually cost more per carat because cutters sacrifice more rough to reach ideal proportions and because the round shape maximizes light performance. Fancy shapes such as oval, cushion, pear, and emerald often sell for less per carat and can offer greater face-up size for the money. Which shape fits your style and spending priorities?
How Proportions, Symmetry, and Polish Affect Value
Crown and pavilion angles, table and depth proportions, symmetry, and polish control light return and optical effects like fire and scintillation. Small changes in pavilion angle or table percentage can shift a diamond from lively to dull. Ask for proportion diagrams and light performance images when comparing diamonds.
Cut Versus Other 4 Cs: Where to Trade Off
If you must trade, prioritize cut over color and clarity when you want maximum visual impact for a given budget. A lower color or clarity grade in a super ideal cut often looks better than a higher color or clarity in a poor cut. Consider how inclusions, color tint, and optical performance interact in the specific shape you prefer.
How Cut Affects Resale and Long-Term Value
Top cut grades maintain a stronger demand in the trade and in resale auctions than average cuts. Market buyers and appraisers pay premiums for proven light performance and trusted certification. Lab-grown and natural diamonds follow different market dynamics, and cut quality remains a key differentiator for both.
Practical Buying Tips to Balance Beauty and Value
Request diamonds with detailed proportion reports, light performance images, and hearts and arrows photography for precision cuts. Compare
GIA or AGS certificates, prioritize excellent or ideal cut grades, and use imaging to judge sparkle in authentic images rather than descriptions alone. Would you like to compare two diamonds side by side with those tools?
Visit Whiteflash to
find your dream engagement ring and loose diamonds, where we offer precision natural
A CUT ABOVE® diamonds and designer settings from names like Tacori, Verragio, A Jaffe and more. Our GIA-educated team, detailed grading reports, and high definition imaging let you compare cuts, evaluate color and clarity, and buy with confidence.
Choosing the Right Diamond Cut for You
Custom Three Stone Engagement Ring
Think about how you use your hands. Round brilliant and princess cuts offer strong structure and many secure setting options, so they handle daily wear well.
Cuts with sharp corners, such as princess or marquise, need prongs that protect corners from chips, while bezel or low-profile settings add extra security for active routines. What level of protection do you want for a ring you will wear every day?
Pick a Cut That Speaks to Your Style
Do you want classic sparkle or a distinctive silhouette? Round brilliant maximizes brilliance and suits almost any setting. Emerald and Asscher cuts showcase clarity with long step facets, creating a sleek look. Cushion and oval shapes feel more romantic and soften the finger shape. Pear and marquise create an elongating effect. Which look matches personality and wardrobe choices?
Prioritize Cut Quality Over Colour and Clarity
Cut quality affects light performance more than colour or clarity. A well-cut diamond returns light as brilliance, fire, and scintillation, even if its colour or clarity grade sits a little lower.
Focus on excellent or perfect cut grades when possible, and accept slightly lower colour or clarity if it preserves a superior cut. Will you prioritize sparkle over an ideal grade on paper?
How Shape Affects Price and Value
Round brilliants demand a price premium because of the rough stone lost when cutting. Fancy shapes such as oval, cushion, or radiant often cost less per carat while offering substantial visual impact.
Carat weight looks different by shape because the millimeter dimensions change the perceived size. Do you prefer a bigger looking millimeter face or the symmetry of a round?
Protective Settings to Keep Your Diamond Safe
Choose settings to match the cut and your activity level. Bezel and low-profile settings wrap the stone and reduce snagging. Four or six prongs suit rounds and cushions, while V prongs guard pointed ends on pears and marquises.
Channel and pavé can add security for side stones, but they need periodic inspection. Which setting will let you live your life without constant worry about knocks?
Technical Specs That Change Brilliance
Look past the carat and read the proportions. Table percentage, depth percentage, crown and pavilion angles, facet arrangement, symmetry, and polish shape determine how a diamond handles light. Culet size and girdle thickness affect durability and mounting ease.
Fluorescence can shift colour under certain lights. Ask the jeweler for light performance images or an ASET or Idealscope view so you can see how the stone performs.
Size, Shape, and Your Finger
Finger width and hand shape affect how a cut appears. Elongating shapes like oval and marquise make fingers look longer.
Rounds sit well on any finger and hide slight size differences. Pay attention to millimeter measurements rather than carats alone when you try on rings. Which shape looks balanced with your finger proportions?
Certification, Photos, and Light Performance Reports
Insist on a reputable grading report from GIA or AGS and review the plot for inclusions, clarity, and measurements. Request high-resolution photos and a video or ASET image to check light return and contrast.
Verify girdle thickness and culet notes so the cutter did not compromise durability for size. Will you view the certificate before you buy?
Budget Moves That Still Look Great
If you need to trim costs, keep cut quality high and flex on colour or clarity. Many
SI clarity diamonds are eye clean at one carat or less. Choose a warmer metal, such as yellow gold, to mask lower colour grades. Fancy shapes offer value without losing presence. Consider lab-grown diamonds for savings if that aligns with your values. Which tradeoffs fit your budget and priorities?
Maintenance and Everyday Care
Have prongs checked every six to twelve months and clean the ring regularly to restore sparkle. Avoid harsh chemicals and remove rings for heavy manual work. Keep up with insurance appraisals and photograph the piece for records. When was the last time your jeweler inspected a ring you wear often?
Related Reading
FAQs on Diamond Cut
14k Yellow Gold Valoria Four Prong Solitaire Engagement Ring
Cut quality describes how a diamond was fashioned from its rough crystal. That includes proportions, symmetry, and polish. Those factors determine light performance and how much brilliance, fire, and scintillation you see. Shape refers to the outline you see from above:
Facets are the tiny flat surfaces arranged on the crown and pavilion to reflect light. A standard round brilliant usually has 57 or 58 facets, depending on whether the culet is polished. Cut grade, crown angle, pavilion angle, table percentage, and depth percentage all influence how facets work together to return light.
Why a Diamond Cut Has the Biggest Impact on Value
Cut quality controls light return. A well-cut stone sends light back to your eye as brightness and sparkle, even when the color or clarity grades are not top-tier. That means a diamond with an Excellent or Ideal cut grade will look more lively and command higher prices than a poorly cut stone of the same carat weight and 4Cs profile.
Labs such as AGS and GIA give cut grades that help predict performance. Cut quality also affects perceived size because proportions and table size change the apparent spread and face-up area.
How Different Shapes Change What Good Cut Looks Like
Each shape has its own ideal proportions. Round brilliant has a well-developed cut grading system and predictable light behavior because its facet arrangement was optimized for brilliance. Fancy shapes like:
- Oval
- Emerald
- Pear
- Marquise
There is no single cut standard. That means you must evaluate several key factors, including depth percentage, table percentage, symmetry, polish, crown, and pavilion angles, as well as facet placement, to judge light performance. Also watch for shape-specific issues such as the bow tie effect in ovals and marquise or windowing in step cuts like emerald. Facet arrangement and pavilion depth influence fire and scintillation differently across shapes.
Which Diamond Cut Gives the Most Sparkle
For pure sparkle, most merchants and graders point to the round brilliant with an Ideal or Excellent cut grade. AGS Ideal and GIA Excellent grades identify diamonds cut to return the maximum amount of light for that shape. Fancy shapes can display equal beauty but require a careful eye:
- Check proportions
- Light returns in photos or videos
- Ask for ASET or Idealscope images when possible
Want brilliance and the least risk of visual flaws? Begin by comparing the cut grade for round brilliants, and then examine the proportion charts and light performance for fancy shapes to avoid issues such as a heavy pavilion or an apparent bow tie effect.
Find your Dream Engagement Ring and Loose Diamonds at Whiteflash Today!
Vatche Charis Pave Diamond Engagement Ring
You can compare cut grades, color, and clarity side by side, inspect certificates, and request high definition imaging before you commit. Start by filtering for shape and cut performance to narrow results quickly.
A CUT ABOVE® and Lab-Grown Diamond Options Explained
A CUT ABOVE® diamonds focus on ideal proportions, precise facet junctions, and optimized crown and pavilion angles to maximize light return, fire, brilliance, and scintillation. Look for Hearts and Arrows patterns on round brilliants and ASET or ideal scope images that show consistent light performance.
Lab-grown diamonds follow the similar grading standards with the IGI and offer comparable cut quality at a more affordable price point, with identical considerations for table size, depth percentage, girdle profile, and culet.
Designer Settings and Custom Builds from Top Names
Whiteflash carries brand-name settings and builds custom rings in-house.
Tacori,
Verragio,
A Jaffe and more deliver signature shank details, milgrain and filigree, while in-house options let you pick metal, prong style, halo or bezel, and side stone configuration.
You can mount a precision-cut loose diamond into a designer head, or ask for a tailored design that matches your stone's proportions and light behavior. Which aesthetic do you prefer for everyday wear and longevity
Tools to Compare Cut Color and Clarity
Use the search filters to sort by cut grade, proportions, and light performance images. Compare table and depth percentages, crown and pavilion angles, symmetry and polish ratings, and the clarity plotting on each grading report.
Request 10x loupe images and magnified videos to examine inclusion types and locations, and to verify fluorescence levels, as these can alter appearance under certain lighting conditions.
Grading Reports and High-Definition Imaging That Show What Matters
Whiteflash posts GIA, IGI and AGS Ideal reports with each diamond so you can verify carat weight, color grade, clarity grade, and the plotted inclusions. High-definition videos, 360 spin views, and ideal scope or ASET maps enable you to evaluate contrast patterns and extinction, not just the numbers. Match certificate numbers with the listing and use the visual tools to confirm that the reported proportions produce the expected light return.
GIA Educated Guidance and the Expertise You Can Rely On
Whiteflash provides a GIA-educated team to explain cut anatomy, interpret certificates, and recommend diamonds that balance light performance with budget. They can point out how crown angle or pavilion depth affects brilliance, or how a step cut like an emerald will show clarity differently than a brilliant cut.
Ask for side-by-side comparisons and an explanation of trade-offs between color and clarity for the shape you choose.
Loose Diamonds Versus Complete Engagement Rings
Buying a loose diamond gives you complete control over cut, symmetry, and light performance before you choose a setting. Purchasing a complete ring saves time and often bundles the setting cost and sizing.
If you want maximum sparkle and exact proportions, select the stone first and then pick a setting that complements the diamond s face-up appearance and girdle measurements.
Houston Store Experience That Lets You See the Sparkle
Visit the
Houston store to inspect diamonds under multiple light sources, try on ring styles, and view diamonds with a loupe and a scope. Seeing a round brilliant and a cushion cut in person reveals differences in scintillation and table appearance that photos may not capture. Schedule a private appointment to test specific A CUT ABOVE® diamonds side by side.
Practical Steps to Choose Your Perfect Ring
Set your budget, pick one or two shapes, prioritize cut quality and light performance, then use filters for AGS or GIA certificates. Request magnified images, ideal scope or ASET maps, and a video of the stone spinning.
Save favorites and ask the GIA-educated rep for comparisons. Confirm return policy, warranty and resizing options before finalizing your purchase, and arrange a showroom visit if you want to inspect diamonds in person.