Personal Consultation
By Benji, Content ManagerWhat is the Make of a Color Diamond?
The make of a fancy colored diamonds is very important. The cutters who polish down stones have a different goal they are aiming to attain - The focus on fancy diamonds is by far the color of the stone. However, without a good cut, a good polish, and a good make, the diamond will not shimmer and shine as it should.
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Polishing a Vivid Purplish Pink Diamond |
With colorless diamonds, the make is even more important since, in essence, the less color the better. Still, like any other diamond characteristic, the make of the stone is graded. How well the cutter executed his job can increase the value as it maximizes the appearance of the stone.
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Diamond cutter viewing the rough during the cutting process |
Grading
Many years of study has been invested into the theory of the styles used to cut the stones. Since January, 2006, the applied proportional cuts are measured according to a cut scale developed by the G.I.A. (Gemological Institute of America).
Beforehand the make was only defined if an AGS certificate was requested.
The cut scale, which essentially defines the ‘make’ of the diamond, includes (according to the GIA scale) five different cut grades:
- Excellent
- Very Good
- Good
- Fair
- Poor
The diamonds are graded for both the polish and symmetry of the cut used on the stone.
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The Finish or 'Make' on a color diamond grading report |
Learn more about how to read and understand the GIA certification of color diamonds.
The cut grade given to a stone is dependent on the comparison between the depth of the diamond and the table percentage.
The difference between a poor cut and an excellent cut can quite often be recognized. A poor cut can significantly change the outcome of a diamond appears. However, depending on the stone, the differences between a very good and an excellent can be so minute that it will not be seen with the naked eye.
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In the image above of a Fancy Vivid Blue diamond over 3 carats, has a Very Good/ Very Good finish and it can be easily recognized just by looking at the picture of the stone. |
Read more about fancy color diamond cut.
Contributor: Benji Margolese
