DARK DIAMOND SHADOWS: GOOD VS BAD

Darkness?

Yes! Those dark shaped shadows that appear in almost all cuts of diamond.

It happens because many stones get cut deeper, so they get less light. The deeper portions get darker and make those diamonds look dull and lifeless (little sparkle and brilliance).

Sometimes they create bow tie effects (Dark areas resembling a bow tie). But often it’s just jet black and blah.

The Sign of a Bad Cut?

This darkness can be the sign of a bad cut (or a poor make), that’s true. But not always. Sometimes the cut is graded “good” and still appears dark and black.

Most of it really has to do with the actual cutting style and the shape of the stone. See most fancy cuts (all the shapes of diamond other than the round) are cut deeper to begin with. Like the marquise cut; where the ends are thinner and more narrow and the center of the stone is deep. The marquise cut often gets the bow tie.

Other cuts like the cushion cut and oval cut have the same fate. They show a lot of darkness. Radiant cuts, emerald cuts and pretty much all step cut stones show darkness too, because they have less facets to exhibit brilliance and mask this darkness.

Many times the stones are cut deeper just to preserve carat weight; which in turn makes the stone sell for more.

The Sacrifice is Beauty!

And while you can view diamonds and see darkness and shadows pretty easily, many people don’t take this into consideration when shopping for stones. They just look at the diamond report (certificate), and make a decision.

Which isn’t Good!

Because your eyes should be the ultimate judge. What the diamond looks like is really what matters. Not the clarity. Not the color. Not the carat weight…

It’s how the diamond faces up. What the patterns reflect (those lovely “hearts and arrows” patterns in an excellent cut round diamond). How the diamond appears symmetrically, that’s the real goal.

That’s what truly matters

It’s the visual eye test. Just looking at the stone. It tells you everything you need to know, at one simple glance.

Which is why I’ve gone and grabbed diamonds (from James Allen) of all shapes, sizes, and quality and put them side by side so you can see for yourself what “beauty” really looks like. I didn’t bother with any of the 4c’s… I only went by appearances. Because you’ll know just by looking at the stone, whether it’s good, or whether it’s bad.

Just like these diamonds below… (See if you agree)

Round Brilliant Cut Diamonds

Cushion Cut Diamonds

Emerald Cut Diamonds

Pear Cut Diamonds

Heart Cut Diamonds

Radiant Cut Diamonds

Marquise Cut Diamonds

Oval Cut Diamonds

Asscher Cut Diamonds

Princess Cut Diamonds

See the Darkness?

It’s the difference between an okay-looking diamond, and a great looking diamond. It has nothing to do with the 4c’s… It’s just how the diamond reacts to light. The shadows and patterns and darkness in contrast and balance with scintillation and fire. You can learn a lot about a stone, just by using your eyes.

So when viewing diamonds, look for beauty and sparkle. Those are the stones to buy!

And stay away from the shadows!

Like these Ideal Cut Diamonds here:

• Round Brilliant Cut Diamonds
• Cushion Cut Diamonds
• Emerald Cut Diamonds
• Pear Cut Diamonds
• Heart Cut Diamonds
• Radiant Cut Diamonds
• Marquise Cut Diamonds
• Oval Cut Diamonds
• Asscher Cut Diamonds
• Princess Cut Diamonds

Cheers! :)