Which Diamonds Sparkle the Most?

diamond sparkle

Looking for diamond cuts that have the most sparkle? Round Brilliant and Round Ideal cut diamonds are the ones that sparkle the most. No matter where light enters the diamond, all the white light, and colored light glimmer out of the top. Ideal cut diamonds are cut for beauty and brilliance, rather than size or weight.

Keep reading to learn more or check prices of the best round brilliant ideal cut diamonds.

Why Round Brilliant Diamonds Sparkle the Most.

If you’ve ever purchased diamond jewelry, you’ve likely heard of the “four c’s” of diamonds. These four “c’s” refer to carat weight, cut, clarity, and color. All of these factors are important to determining the quality of a diamond, but do you know which makes the diamond sparkle the most?

A diamond’s sparkle is primarily affected by the grade of the cut. When we think of cut, we generally think of the shape of the stone, such as Emerald, Brilliant, Princess, etc. But, there are grades of cut, as well.

Properly cutting a diamond ensures the best light performance and makes a diamond sparkle. Simply put, when a diamond is well cut, no light leaks out of the bottom or side facets of the stone. White and colored light emanating only from the top as a diamond moves is what ensures that brilliant diamond sparkle. To create this effect and reflect light up from the top, a diamond cutter must cut the stone with the correct proportions. So some diamonds are best suited to certain cuts (diamond shapes). A diamond cut to the proper shape and proportion will get a higher grade.

How do they get that sparkle?

Essentially, diamonds come in four main cut grades. These are deep cut, shallow cut, brilliant cut, and ideal cut. Deep cut diamonds are those that are cut too deep, allowing light to escape. These diamonds have often been cut for maximum weight, rather than maximum beauty. Shallow cut diamonds are cut to appear larger and lack brilliance because of this.

Certain jewelers sell “ideal” cut diamonds. The term “ideal” is not used by the GIA. Ideal cuts describe diamonds of the highest cut quality. Blue Nile sells ideal and Astor Ideal diamonds. Astor Ideal diamonds claim to be even more brilliant than ideals and are more expensive. These branded “ideal” terms are usually a tactic to increase the diamond’s price. When in doubt, you can always trust a GIA certified diamond with an excellent cut.

Brilliants are the most popular diamond style. Most diamonds sold today are round brilliants because of their remarkable beauty. Brilliants were designed to maximize a diamond’s eye-catching fire and brilliance which makes a diamond sparkle.

Does Clarity Determine Which Diamonds Sparkle the Most?

Clarity also affects the sparkle of a diamond. The clarity of a diamond refers to inclusions, which are internal imperfections and blemishes, which are external imperfections. The fewer imperfections, the higher the clarity grade. Imperfections and color clarity do affect the diamond sparkle and brilliance, but not as much as cut grade.

How Do I Get the Best Overall Diamond?

Before shopping for a diamond, set a budget. Then, you can narrow down your choices when shopping. Many people consider only the carat weight, color, and clarity of their diamonds. However, for the most beautiful diamond, consider the brilliant cut grade, to get the best diamond sparkle. Work with a jeweler who can help you find a diamond quality combination of the best cut, clarity, and color you can afford.

It’s important to remember that buying a very large diamond that is dull and lifeless will not give you nearly as beautiful an engagement ring as buying a smaller but more brilliant diamond.

Choosing a diamond that is high quality in all areas will ensure you have the diamond that sparkles the most for your budget. A diamond ring is often one of the most treasured pieces of a woman’s jewelry wardrobe, so you should choose with care. Remembering all four of the “c’s of diamonds” will help ensure you buy a sparkly white diamond with brilliance that will be worn over and over again.

In summary, you want to buy a round brilliant cut diamond to achieve the best diamond sparkle.

Carl A. Jones, GIA GG

Carl A. Jones is a GIA Graduate Gemologist with over 20 years of experience in the diamond industry. He is an independent jewelry appraiser. He specializes in determining the value of diamonds and advising consumers on how to buy quality diamond jewelry.

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