If you look at a
Diamond Certificate, you'll see something interesting listed on the report called a "
Culet".
It will be listed on a G.I.A. Diamond Report under "Proportions", which is also listed under a category called "Shape and Cutting Style".
I refer to that whole section simply as "Cut", because it makes up the entire Cut of the Diamond.
The Cut not only contains the Culet, but it also contains fun things like the Girdle, Depth, Table and Finish. But for now, let's just stick to the Culet.
What is a Culet?
Most people don't know. Most people just breeze by it on the report without giving it a second glance. Is the Diamond Culet something to take notice of? Yes, yes it is! Let's learn what a Culet is...
The Culet is a Single Facet on the bottom of the Diamond.
One tiny facet that actually has a purpose and a very good purpose.
If you look at a Diamond from the side view, you'll see the Diamond is divided into two sections by a line called the Girdle. The top section is called the Crown. The Bottom section is called the Pavilion. The bottom part of the Diamond looks like an upside-down triangle. This triangle is where all the lines and facets of the Diamond meet and they come to a very sharp point.
Here's a Tip
At the very tip of that point is where the Culet is. It's at the very bottom of the pavilion and the cut is flat making the Culet run parallel to the Table (Top flat part of the Diamond) and Girdle. (See Picture)
What's interesting about this is:
Not all Diamonds have a Culet
It's not a necessary cut.
It doesn't affect the look of the Diamond in the least. (Unless the Culet is so large you can see it!) More about that later...
The Sole Purpose
The Culet's sole purpose to exist is to prevent the Diamond's vulnerable tip from chipping or breaking. That's it!
When any Diamond comes to a sharp knife edge like the Culet does, it can be chipped or broken easily. Usually this would happen during setting the Diamond into a mounting. (Which is why you should always microscope your Diamond once you get it back from the Jeweler!)
It's a fact, chipping or breaking is what happens to sharp pointed Diamonds. (Think Marquise, think Girdles!) But, if that sharp point or tip is cut off (making a flat Culet), it will keep that end from shattering!
G.I.A. Diamond Reports
G.I.A. will list whether or not the Diamond has a Culet. (See the Diamond report again!) Trust me, you want a Culet! Just knowing your Diamond has one brings peace of mind.
G.I.A. Rates Culets and the Size of them
If the Culet is None, Very Small, Small, Medium, Slightly Large or Large, you'll be fine.
None = Excellent
Very Small = Excellent
Small = Excellent
Medium = Very Good
Slightly Large = Good
Large = Good
But if the Culet is Very Large or Extremely Large then it's a whole different story.
Very Large = Fair
Extremely Large = Poor
Bullet Holes
When a Culet gets too large, you may be able to see that facet by looking down into your Diamond from the top view. And because the Culet is the dead center of your Diamond, it could get very noticeable! It may look like a little dot, pin-point or even a hole! I refer to them as bullet holes because it looks like the Diamond's been shot!
Old Mine Cut Diamonds and Old European Cut Diamonds have extremely large visible Culets on them to prevent chipping. But that's because they were all cut by hand back then (before the 1900's), before Diamond saws were invented.
No Culet
If the Diamond has no Culet, it doesn't affect the Diamond Report (or even Price) in the least, it will just list it as "None". No Culet is not entirely bad, you just have to be more careful with it!
I would advise sticking with a Small or Medium Culet if you can.
You don't have to worry about chipping the Diamond when you pick it up with a pair of tweezers. And after looking for months and months to find the perfect Diamond, you get the perfect Clarity and the perfect Color, do you know how bad it would suck to then have the Jeweler accidentally chip the tip during setting?
Ouch!
That would smart!
(Don't forget to always scope your Diamond every single time you drop your Diamond off for repair and every time you pick it up!!!)
So as far as the Culet goes...
I'd say that's the last cut!
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