Ideal Cut Diamonds are solely determined by Proportions and Percentages that maximize the appeal of the Diamond. The Ideal Cut was created by a man named Marcel Tolkowsky.
Marcel created the Ideal cutting style in 1919.
The Girdle
To understand the Percentages of an Ideal Cut, you also need to understand the width of its Girdle. The Girdle, the outer edge of the Diamond, is the widest part of the Diamond. No matter what the Carat Weight is, that Girdle will always be equal to 100% of the width. Since nothing is wider, the rest of the Diamond's Proportions are compared to it.
Diamond Percentages always refer to the Proportion of distance in relation to the Girdle.
For example, look at the Table of the Diamond (shown below). The Table is the top flat part of the Diamond. The width of the Table, as compared to the width of the Girdle, is the Table Percentage. An Ideal Cut Table should measure between 53-57% of the width of the Girdle.
60/60 Rule of Thumb
Most Jewelers tend to carry Diamonds that have a little bit bigger Table, like 60% width. I prefer these as well! 60% makes the Diamond appear slightly larger, but still give you plenty of Brilliance and Fire!
Ideal Cut Proportions and Percents are shown below.
The Ideal total Depth of the Diamond will fall between 57.5-63% (think 60%). This total is the depth of the Crown, Girdle and Pavilion height added together. Table and Depth are the two most important figures to grasp. If you can get within a couple of Percentages of these numbers, one way or the other, you'll end up with a great looking Diamond that's full of Life, Fire and Brilliance.
Granted, there are other Proportions to consider as well, but Table and Depth are the most important factors. If they are close to Ideal, then the rest of the Diamond should be close as well.
Below is a chart that shows all the different Facets of an Ideal Cut Diamond.
Ideal Cuts will be more expensive than Poor Cuts. Think about this if you see a Diamond priced at half the price of other similar quality Diamonds. Quite often that Discount Price is attributed to a Cut that is off, or less than Ideal.
The funny thing about Ideal Cuts is that Ideal Cuts are not really Ideal. They are a range of Percentages and Guidelines. The Depth Percentage isn't just one number, it's a range of numbers between 57.5% and 63%. Even the Ideal Cut has some degree of variance.
BEST ADVICE:
Don't be too concerned with Percents! If you get close to these Standards, you'll get a good amount of both White Light and Colored Light in your stone. With this awesome balance your Diamond will shine like crazy.
Diamond Certificates will list the exact Percentages right on the Diamond Report. Make sure you check them out to see where your Table and Depth lie...
60/60%?
Let's hope so!
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