GCAL by Sarine Adds Pear and Marquise to Its 8X Grading Lineup
By
Tiffany Moore , Thursday, June 05, 2025
At Whiteflash, we believe precision matters - especially when it comes to the most defining factor of a diamond's beauty:
cut quality. This is why we give high marks to GCAL's 8X Ultimate Cut Grade, a premier standard in optical performance and craftsmanship.
Today that standard is expanding and is now available for an even broader range of diamond shapes. As of late 2024,
pear-shaped and
marquise-shaped diamonds are qualified for the 8X certification at GCAL by Sarine - marking a major milestone in
fancy shape certification.
Over the last few years, these two elegant, elongated cuts have become increasingly popular. However, until recently, shoppers seeking these alluring shapes weren't equipped with a more performance-based grading system as is available for round brilliants. Thanks to GCAL's 8X expansion, that gap is steadily closing.
“Creating parameters for cutting 8X marquise and pear shapes was more challenging than we anticipated,” said GCAL by Sarine President Angelo Palmieri.
“There were critical factors that played into how the stone performs, but our focus remained the same—maximizing light return, while minimizing the bow tie.”
GCAL by Sarine President Angelo Palmieri
What is the GCAL 8X Ultimate Cut Grade?
Introduced in 2021, the
8X Ultimate Cut Grade evaluates eight dimensions of diamond cut quality, each of which must score “Excellent” to qualify:
- 1. Polish: Refers to the smoothness of the surface of a diamond. A mirror finish ensures that maximum light enters and exits the stone without distortion or obstruction, enhancing its overall brilliance.
- 2. External symmetry: Determines how well the diamond's physical shape is aligned and proportioned. The uniformity of the facets, the thickness of the girdle, and the alignment of the table and culet are among the factors considered.
- 3. Optical symmetry: Evaluates the alignment of facets in 3D space using advanced imaging. The way light reflects inside the diamond must also be perfectly balanced, even if the external facets are symmetrical.
- 4. Proportions: Analyzes the angles and dimensions of the facets of a diamond. Proper proportions are essential for optimal light return and a balanced appearance.
- 5. Optical brilliance: Calculates the intensity of the light from the diamond. A diamond's bright, "sparkling white" appearance can be attributed to this characteristic.
- 6. Fire: This refers to the rainbow-colored flashes that appear when light disperses through a diamond. Well-cut stones produce abundant colored sparkles visible in lighting environments conducive to seeing it.
- 7. Scintillation: Describes the sparkle effect caused by movement. When the diamond is tilted or turned, it creates dynamic flashes as bright and dark reflections rapidly blink on and off.
- 8. Hearts and arrows pattern: This visual pattern can be seen under special viewers in exceptionally well-cut round diamonds. As a result of the perfect alignment of facets in 3D space, there are eight symmetrical hearts (from the pavilion view) and eight symmetrical arrows (from the crown view), indicating an extremely high level of craftsmanship, and full optimization of the facet design.
In contrast to most labs that offer more subjective or limited cut analysis, GCAL backs its 8X certification with advanced imaging, measurable standards, and guaranteed results.
At Whiteflash, this level of transparency and performance aligns perfectly with our mission: helping customers find diamonds that are not only beautiful, but technically exceptional.
A New Era for Fancy Shape Diamonds
Since introducing 8X for round brilliant cuts, GCAL has been steadily expanding its capabilities. First to fancy shapes in 2022, then to proprietary cuts in 2023. Now, with pear and marquise diamonds included as of late 2024, customers can choose from a wider range of certified options in these sought-after styles.
Despite their beauty, elongated diamonds can suffer from light leakage and the
"bow tie" effect- a dark shadow across the center. As a result of GCAL's new 8X criteria, only the top-performing fancy shapes receive this elite grade.
- A Pear shaped diamond is a combination of the Round and Marquise cut with a rounded end and a pointed end. It is also referred to as a “teardrop” shape. Pear shaped diamonds typically have 58 facets, like round brilliant diamonds. It's a popular choice for diamond pendants.
- Because of its "football" shape, a Marquise cut diamond appears larger than its carat weight would suggest. A brilliant cut stone, it has 57 facets. Depending on the length to width ratio, Marquise cut diamonds can vary greatly in shape. In this shape, the "bow-tie" (darkening) effect also requires careful evaluation. Choosing a Marquise diamond shape comes down to personal preference, as it does with all fancy cut diamonds.
On the GCAL by Sarine website at the time of this writing, radiant, cushion, and emerald cut diamonds are listed as "coming soon"- signaling a continued commitment to comprehensive fancy shape cut evaluation.
Why GCAL 8X Certification Matters
No matter what shape you choose,
cut quality is what determines the sparkle, brilliance, and overall impact of your diamond. As part of GCAL's 8X standard, diamonds are measured against the highest possible light performance and craftsmanship benchmarks.
This certification provides independent, measurable evidence that a diamond is fulfilling its best optical potential. For fancy shapes, where an overall cut grade is often missing from other lab reports, this is especially significant.
At Whiteflash, our A CUT ABOVE® diamonds already exceed industry standards and are posted with the documentation and imaging to prove it. Weare proud to carry these elite diamonds in-stock for customers who want the clearest, most comprehensive assurance of top quality. Discover our other top-performing diamonds, both natural and lab-grown, with proven light performance.
Final Thoughts from Whiteflash
The inclusion of pear and marquise shapes in the 8X grading system is more than just a technical update; it’s a win for diamond buyers seeking beauty backed by science.
Since the beginning, we've maintained high standards for our diamonds at Whiteflash. Long before GCAL extended 8X grading to fancy shapes, our internally vetted fancy cuts already had to meet Whiteflash criteria for light performance, precision, and visual appeal. With the addition of third-party certification, there is now a layer of assurance from a highly respected diamond grading laboratory.
With new technologies, grading systems, and design trends, the diamond world continues to evolve, and we remain dedicated to helping our customers navigate that landscape with confidence. Whether you're searching for
a classic round brilliant or a standout fancy shape, Whiteflash offers a comprehensive inventory of diamonds that combine technical excellence with timeless beauty.