Diamond Diktat

Diamonds are loved the world over for their exceptional worth and distinct appeal. The 4Cs – Cut,clarity,carat and colour – is an expression coined to explain the four quality and price considerations of the commercially sold diamond. To get the diamond within a specific price range,the four criteria will almost always fluctuate. Cut isthe most important factor and should by no means be compromised upon. To begin with,‘Diamond Rough’ is the diamond in its natural state. It is then faceted and polished to bestow its best possible ‘Brilliance’ and this is referred as ‘Diamond Cut’. ‘Brilliance’ is the unique brightness that seems to echo from the heart of the diamond that leaves most of us enslaved and lured. ‘Brilliant Cut’ is one of the three styles of faceting. In this particular style,every single facet appears to radiate from the centre of the diamond towards the edges. Round Brilliant,Princess Cut,Radiant,Oval,Pear,Marquise and Heart Shape are all Brilliant Cut. Shape and cut are two different things. Shape refers to the geometric cut of the diamond and is irrelevant in determining its worth. Other lovely shapes of this discrete luxury include Cushion Cut,Emerald Cut and Asscher Cut. Consequently,‘Cut’ explains how the artisan maximizes the pattern of the rough diamond by creating desired angles and details so that the light going in the diamond springs back in the most brilliant manner.

One also often takes note of ‘Traditional’ and ‘’Ideal’ cut. The ‘Traditional Cut’ radiates an almost incandescent twinkle of light from the diamond. The ‘Ideal Cut’ sets off a stunning rainbow of blazing hues. Both are dazzling in their own right. Carat gives the weight of the diamond. Single diamond carat equals to the weight of 200 milligrams. Diamond weight depends and is directly proportional to its density. So,diamonds that appear to be of same size may differ in their carat weight. The largest rough diamond ever found was the Cullinan being 3,106 carats in 1905 in the Premier mine of South Africa. It was cut into 9 key stones,consisting of the largest gem quality diamond,the Cullinan1 or Star of Africa,550.20 carats. This is mounted in the British Royal Sceptre and graces the Tower of London.

(The writer is a city-based researcher specialising in jewellery art and can be contacted at sameeraahaan02@gmail.com)