Anatomy of a Diamond

By understanding the anatomy of a diamond, you can assure that any stone you purchase is of exceptional quality and avoid common cutting flaws. Different diamond shapes have slightly different requirements for ideal proportions based on how light is reflected within the stone to maximize the brilliance.

Table
The table, or top of the diamond, is the largest facet on the stone. On a round stone, the table should be octagonal & perfectly centered. The table size will vary depending on shape and color of the stone in order to provide the most sparkle with refleted light.

Crown
The stone's crown is the narrow upper area, above the girdle. It the part of the stone that is above the prongs or metal holding the stone in place, and is the most visible. It is also the most prone to scratches.

Girdle
The girdle is a narrow band, parallel to the table, and is the widest part of the diamond. Girdle thickness is criticall to the diamond's strength and must be sufficient to prevent chips and cracks.

Pavilion
The stone's pavilion is the area below the girdle that is the longest part of the diamond with the exception of the emerald or other rectangular shaped stones. In many settings, the pavilion is obstructed, except for the prong or tiffany setting . These settings reveal the pavilion and increases the diamond's brilliance by allowing light to enter at different parts of the stone.

Cutlet
The cutlet is the tiny part of the diamond at the base of the stone and is often used to balance out the facets and give it a more symmetrical appearance.

Facets
The stone's facets are the smooth polished planes that make up it's surface. In a typical round diamond, there are 58 facets though fancy shapes often have a greater number. The fewer facets a stone has, the less refraction and brilliance it will give off.

By being familiar with the anatomy of a diamond and how it affects quality, a savvy shopper can buy a far better than average quality stone.