{"id":23784,"date":"2018-06-02T10:55:59","date_gmt":"2018-06-02T14:55:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.jewelry-secrets.com\/Blog\/?p=23784"},"modified":"2018-06-02T10:55:59","modified_gmt":"2018-06-02T14:55:59","slug":"dark-diamond-shadows-good-vs-bad","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.jewelry-secrets.com\/Blog\/dark-diamond-shadows-good-vs-bad\/","title":{"rendered":"DARK DIAMOND SHADOWS: GOOD VS BAD"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Judging<\/div>\n

Darkness?<\/h2>\n

\nYes!<\/strong> Those dark shaped shadows that appear in almost all cuts of diamond<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\nIt happens because many stones get cut deeper<\/strong>, so they get less light<\/strong>. The deeper portions get darker and make those diamonds look dull and lifeless<\/strong> (little sparkle and brilliance).<\/p>\n

\nSometimes they create bow tie effects<\/strong> (Dark areas resembling a bow tie). But often it’s just jet black and blah<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\n

The Sign of a Bad Cut?<\/h2>\n

\nThis darkness can be the sign of a bad cut<\/strong> (or a poor make), that’s true. But not always<\/strong>. Sometimes the cut is graded “good<\/strong>” and still appears dark and black.<\/p>\n

\nMost of it really has to do with the actual cutting style and the shape of the stone<\/strong>. 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<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\nOther cuts like the cushion cut and oval cut have the same fate. They show a lot of darkness<\/strong>. Radiant cuts, emerald cuts and pretty much all step cut stones<\/strong> show darkness too, because they have less facets to exhibit brilliance and mask this darkness.<\/p>\n

\nMany times the stones are cut deeper just to preserve carat weight; which in turn makes the stone sell for more<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The Sacrifice is Beauty!<\/h2>\n

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

Which isn’t Good!<\/h2>\n

\nBecause your eyes should be the ultimate judge<\/strong>. What the diamond looks like is really what matters<\/strong>. Not the clarity. Not the color. Not the carat weight…<\/p>\n

\nIt’s how the diamond faces up<\/strong>. What the patterns reflect (those lovely “hearts and arrows<\/strong>” patterns in an excellent cut round diamond<\/a>). How the diamond appears symmetrically<\/strong>, that’s the real goal.<\/p>\n

That’s what truly matters<\/h2>\n

\nIt’s the visual eye test<\/strong>. Just looking at the stone. It tells you everything you need to know<\/strong>, at one simple glance.<\/p>\n

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

Just like these diamonds below… (See if you agree<\/strong>)<\/p>\n

Round Brilliant Cut Diamonds<\/h2>\n

\n\"Round<\/p>\n

Cushion Cut Diamonds<\/h2>\n

\n\"Cushion<\/p>\n

Emerald Cut Diamonds<\/h2>\n

\n\"Emerald<\/p>\n

Pear Cut Diamonds<\/h2>\n

\n\"Pear<\/p>\n

Heart Cut Diamonds<\/h2>\n

\n\"Heart<\/p>\n

Radiant Cut Diamonds<\/h2>\n

\n\"Radiant<\/p>\n

Marquise Cut Diamonds<\/h2>\n

\n\"Marquise<\/p>\n

Oval Cut Diamonds<\/h2>\n

\n\"Oval<\/p>\n

Asscher Cut Diamonds<\/h2>\n

\n\"Asscher<\/p>\n

Princess Cut Diamonds<\/h2>\n

\n\"Princess<\/p>\n

See the Darkness?<\/h2>\n

\nIt’s the difference between an okay-looking diamond<\/strong>, and a great looking diamond<\/strong>. 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<\/strong> with scintillation and fire. You can learn a lot about a stone, just by using your eyes<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\nSo when viewing diamonds, look for beauty and sparkle<\/strong>. Those are the stones to buy!<\/p>\n

\nAnd stay away from the shadows!<\/strong><\/p>\n

Like these Ideal Cut Diamonds here:<\/h2>\n

\n<\/p>\n