The beauty of diamonds comes from many different factors including its color, shape and most of all, the sparkle it creates. The way it sparkles catches the eye and appeals to be appreciated through its beauty. The sparkle of a diamond highly depends on the precision of its cut and these cuts lead to the diamond having facets.
But what are facets? In this blog post we are going to teach you everything that you need to know about diamond facets so that you can make the right choice when searching for a diamond.
What Are Diamond Facets?
When diamonds are crafted and polished, the cuts that form the diamond are called facets. The facets are the ones that refract light that makes the diamond look like it is sparkling.
At the same time, facets reflect the light that makes diamonds look brilliant and luminous. A well-proportioned and polished cut creates great facet angles that add aesthetic and market value to a diamond. There are facets in the crown, girdle, and pavilion of a diamond, and those intricate details in the structure of a diamond are what make it unique and a standout piece of gem.
What Are The Different Types Of Diamond Facets?
You might hear a lot of terminologies attributed to the facets of a diamond. Do not worry because it does not have to be intimidating. There are simple terms used to refer to the facets of a diamond. Here is the list of the different diamond facets.
Main
The main facets are the largest facets in a diamond. It can refer to only one or many facets on the surface of a diamond. There are upper mains or main facets located in the crown or uppermost part of the diamond. And there are lower mains or main facets located in the pavilion of a diamond.
Table Facets
Table facets are the horizontal facets that allow you to see through the inside of a diamond. Table facets give a large clear view of the internal feature of a diamond.
Break Facets
The facets that adjoin the girdles in the sides of a diamond are called the girdle facets. Break facets are scattering light facets that allow the sparkle to be visible.
Start Facets
The star facets are extra sparkling facets, and it joins the table facets to the crown facets. Star facets make the diamond extra sparkly, and it creates an illusion that the diamond is playing its hues with your eyes. It makes the diamond look more enchanting.
Cutlet
The pointed bottom of the diamond is called the cutlet. Cutlets are facets located at the bottom of a pavilion.
How Many Facets Does A Diamond Have?
The crown has 33 facets consists of 8 main facets, 8 star facets, 16 upper-middle facets, and 1 table facet. In the pavilion, there are only 24 facets. It is consists of 8 main pavilion facets, 16 lower-middle facets, and 1 cutlet facet. Different diamond cuts have different facets, and the more the facets, the more sparkly the diamond. Here are some examples you can consider.
- Brilliant Cut Diamonds have 58 facets.
- Princess Cut Diamonds have 58 to 144 facets.
- Asscher Cut Diamonds have 57 facets.
- Radiant Cut Diamonds have 70 facets.
- Trillion Cut Diamonds have 50 facets.
- Ashoka Cut Diamonds have 62 facets.
- Pear Cut Diamonds have 58 facets.
- Marquise Cut Diamonds have 58 facets.
Each kind of diamond has different counts of facets. The facets vary to the shape of a diamond. There is a diamond that can only cater for few facets. There are somewhere three or more kinds of facets are present on the surface.
Do More Facets Mean More Sparkle?
In conclusion, more facets mean more sparkle. That is why artisans and those who craft diamonds spend so much time making these intricate details. The small details in a diamond, such as its cut, directly affect its value, and it is what makes a diamond unique among others. In the aspect of the facets, symmetry is one of the most important things. It is as important as appropriate proportion. These two factors contribute to the beauty of a diamond. A diamond of high quality and value is produced with a flawless and precise cut and balanced symmetry and proportion.
It is also a reminder to consider observing the diamond facets because this is where the inclusions will be visible. When you look through the facets of a diamond, you will see its external and internal properties through its facets. Facets are the windows to distinguish a diamond’s quality, particularly its color, cut, and clarity.