Diamond Facets Explained

Diamonds owe their fire and sparkle to the way they are cut from the rough stone. Explore the functionality of a diamond’s facets and discover the best tips to look for when searching for and selecting the perfect diamond engagement ring. 

 

What is a Diamond Facet?

Facets are the flat, polished surfaces on a diamond. These facets are cut into the rough stone, which creates the beautiful diamond shapes we see in jewellery today. While the term “facet” applies to the surface of any gemstone, each facet in a diamond is carefully angled to control how light enters, reflects, and exits the stone to create sparkle. Together, these facets create the diamond’s signature:

• Brilliance: The return of white light to your eye.
  
  
• Fire: The rainbow flashes of colour from the diamond.
  
  
• Scintillation: The light and sparkle you see in a diamond during movement.
  
  

The size, shape, and placement of each diamond facet can either maximise or hinder these three effects. Always look at the diamond certificate and check whether they've been graded Ideal, Excellent or Very Good for their symmetry and polish grades. These top three grades will show that the diamond has been cut to a higher standard, meaning more light and sparkle.

 

The Diamonds Facets create each part of the diamond which are named:

• Table: This is the flat surface at the top of the diamond in the centre and is referred to as the window to the heart of the diamond, as you can peer into it. This is one surface and, therefore, one facet.
• Crown: The facets that create the crown start from the table facet all the way to the Girdle. in a Round brilliant cut the crown consists of 33 facets known as star, kite and upper girdle facets. The purpose of these angled facets is similar to the function of a window; to let as much light into the diamond as possible.
• Girdle: The girdle is the outer edge of the diamond which separates the crown and pavilion. These girdle facets are not included in the total facet count as they do not refract the light, however always check the thickness of the girdle edge in your diamond certificate as this can cause darker shadows inside the diamond. Using a 10x magnifying loupe on the girdle edge you will be able to read the diamond’s laser inscription. Check the certificate first and if you purchase a GIA or IGI-certified diamond, then the diamond will be inscribed and will state the laser inscription number.
• Pavillion: The section below the girdle of a diamond is called the pavilion and its facets have a very important role to play. The round brilliant cut pavilion is made up of 8 pavilion facets and 16 lower girdle facets. These angled facets redirect the light that entered the diamond back towards the crown creating the bright white sparkly light we know as brilliance and the light dispersion also creates a spectral range of colour being refracted back to the diamond's surface, which we call the diamond’s fire.
• Culet: This facet can be present at the very bottom tip of the diamond. If the pavilion facets are angled to a complete point then the diamond will have no culet. However, if it is not a completely pointed tip, it will have a tiny flat surface facet, which is called the culet. This is why they say the round brilliant cut will have 57-58 facets, it all depends on whether the diamond has a culet.

Popular Diamond Shapes and Facets

Below are our five most popular diamond shape engagement rings, each chosen for its aesthetic appeal.

 

Round Brilliant Cut Diamond Solitaire Engagement Ring

The Round Brilliant Cut Diamond has 57-58 Facets and is known as the most popular diamond shape due to it having the greatest sparkle and brilliance compared with other shapes.

This round cut solitaire engagement ring is one of our best-selling solitaire designs. Part of the Diamond Heaven bouquet collection for floral-inspired pieces. It features a beautiful tulip flower design on the side of the setting which is perfect for a summer proposal. If you want a ring that feels effortlessly classic and suitable for both everyday wear and special occasions, the round brilliant cut is a great choice.

Princess Cut Diamond Shoulder Set Engagement Ring

Princess cuts are referred to as square modified brilliant cuts and a graded excellent princess cut diamond in polish and symmetry will have 57-58 facets, just like a round brilliant cut, however the princess cut has a flatter surface and only 21 facets on the crown letting less light into the diamond than a round brilliant cut. 

Princess cut shapes maintain their popularity due to their sharp, geometric straight lines that give them a modern edge. The style is perfect for those who love making a statement but don't want to stray too far from traditional diamond shapes. 

 

Oval Diamond Engagement Ring

The oval cut offers a flattering, elongated shape that makes your finger look slimmer and your diamond appear larger. The oval cut has 57-58 facets in total and 33 facets on the crown just like a round brilliant cut, however its arrangement of facets differ due to its elongated feminine shape making it a modified brilliant cut. It’s the perfect choice if you want something different and timeless with a larger carat weight appearance. 

This Oval cut solitaire engagement ring is one of our best-selling solitaire designs. Part of the Diamond Heaven bouquet collection for floral-inspired pieces. It features a beautiful tulip flower design on the side of the setting which is perfect for a summer proposal. 

 

Pear Diamond Solitaire Ring

Unique and undeniably elegant, the pear cut diamond combines the best of round and marquise shapes. The pear cut has 57-58 facets in total and 33 facets on the crown just like a round brilliant cut, however its arrangement of facets differ due to its elongated shape and pointed tip shape making it a modified brilliant cut. If you’re seeking a ring that stands out then the pear cut is your perfect match. It’s especially popular in a solitaire dainty ring as this shows off its feminine delicate design and is perfect to wear next to a variety of different wedding rings styles. 

 

Asscher Diamond Engagement Ring

Embodying vintage glamour, the Asscher cut is all about bold architectural lines and a “hall-of-mirrors” effect. The Asscher cut is made up of 58 step cut facets, which are elongated rectangle shapes, differing from brilliant cut facets. This creates a diamond you want to peer into rather than a constant sparkle and is very popular in vintage and minimalistic jewellery designs. Ideal for someone who appreciates heritage styles and wants a ring that feels both unique and richly elegant.

 

Is an Excellent Cut Diamond noticeably better than a Poor or Fair cut?

 

Absolutely. A diamond that’s graded Ideal or Excellent will have a greater brightness and sparkle than other grades as they refract the light better and they hold a higher value because of this. Every diamond is unique and cut to the best of the stones ability, depending inclusions present to maintain the best proportions and carat weight. An Ideal/Excellent cut will have less diamond waste when cut from the rough diamond into its final shape. Only the Round brilliant cut diamonds have three grades that relate to the diamonds cut. These grades are called the cut, polish and symmetry as it is an equilateral shape and its dimensions plays an important role in this third grade. 

A round brilliant that has been graded a triple excellent is known as a very desirable diamond and rarer to find. All other diamond shapes only have the two grades, which are polish and symmetry. Buyers will pay a premium for ideal/excellent grades on the symmetry and polish because they guarantee the most dazzling display of light. It is hard not to fall in love with diamonds this highly graded due to their beauty and sparkle.

 

Visit Diamond Heaven to Experience the Difference 

Understanding how facets create a diamond’s sparkle is one thing - seeing the sparkle in person is another and the best way to choose the perfect diamond for you. Book an appointment at one of our Diamond Heaven showrooms in the U.K and Ireland and one of our experts will guide you through the cut, polish and symmetry grades and help you find the perfect diamond within your price range.