A diamond’s cut is an essential factor that determines the quality and brilliance of the stone. The diamond may have spectacular carat weight, beautiful color, and umpteenth clarity. However, if it reflects only a little light, the odds are that it will be dull and without personality.
On the contrary, a diamond with a perfect cut exudes fire, emanates sparkle, and has so much. That said, it is easy to confuse the cut with the diamond shape.
A diamond’s cut refers to the measurements of its angles and the symmetry of its facets. A diamond shape describes its external structure, which could be round, oval, square, and so forth. Today we will be looking at a section of a diamond’s cut- the facets.
Before we explain more about how many facets a diamond has, let’s briefly look at what exactly a facet is.
What are the facets of a diamond?
It is necessary to understand what a diamond facet is. Also, you should evaluate the role it plays in the overall design and quality of the gemstone. Diamond facets are flat surfaces on the geometric plane of any diamond stone.
Generally, gemologists carefully study through a natural diamond before they begin to cut it. During this process, they evaluate its grain, consider any flaws that it has, and deduce its precise measurements. Once they have done this, they decide how to give the diamond symmetry, proportion, and polish to end up with a dazzling stone. That said, the best diamonds in the jewelry industry are perfectly symmetrical. This means that the facets you see on any of its sides are similar to those facing them across the diamond’s axis.
Every facet on any diamond performs a specific role. The crown facets are described as the ‘windows’ or the frames of a diamond. They allow as much light as possible to enter and exit the diamond. The window allows light to enter the open spaces of a diamond. Afterward, it transforms the light into dispersion or colored light. The frame, which are the lines that separate individual facets in the diamond, do not absorb light. Instead, they disperse and neutralize the light in such a way that the diamonds begin to sparkle.
Pavilion facets, on the other hand, redirect light towards your eye. The two facet types work together to ensure that a diamond has the right amount of sparkle. For this reason, they must be placed in the correct angles to work as they should. If they aren’t arranged in the correct position and angles, they can tamper with the brightness of your diamond. Also, diamond facets need to be polished. Polishing them eliminates any abrasions, polish lines, and other surface anomalies that tend to compromise light reflection.
How many facets does a diamond have?
The number of facets in a diamond depends on the perfection of the diamond cut and its shape. The round-brilliant diamond-cut guides the number of facets that a diamond should have. It was developed in 1900 by Marcel Toklowsky and is the most popular cut. It is said to be the best choice in regards to insurability, sales, desired optics, and stability.
It has 58 facets, including the culet, which is the surface towards the bottom of a diamond that prevents damage to the diamond. To break down the facets in a round brilliant cut diamond, we will evaluate it in terms of its crown and pavilion facets. It has 33 facts on the crown, which is the top half above the girdle of the stone. On its pavilion, that is, the lower half below the girdle; you will find 25 facets.
The diamond’s girdle may be faceted, polished smooth, or frosted. Most diamonds have a faceted girdle with either 32 or 64 and 80 or 96 facets. These facets are not included in the total facet count. Similarly, you may find that some diamonds extra facets on the crown or pavilion.
More often than not, the facets are tiny and were created to remove any imperfections on the diamond’s surface during the cutting process. Depending on their size and location, they can tamper with the symmetry and proportions of the cut. For this reason, they are an important factor in cut grading.
How many facets in a princess cut diamond?
A princess-cut diamond is typically a square-shaped diamond with excellent fire and brilliance. It is a fancy shape derived from the inverted pyramid design and is a popular choice for engagement rings. On the lower side, they have 50 facets. However, you can modify the number of facets in princess cut diamonds to brighten the diamond.
Generally, you may come across princess diamonds cut with up to 144 facets. These are often very sparkly but are very rare.
This means that you would mostly find princess cut diamonds with 50-55 facets. For this reason, princess cut diamonds are often less brilliant than round cut diamonds. As much so, this sometimes is an advantage during purchase.
The fact that they hide inclusions masterfully gives you a chance to bargain the price due to clarity. The only problem is that color imperfections are easily identifiable in their square dimensions. That said, you are better off picking out a colorless piece when you prefer this type of diamond cut.
How many facets in a radiant cut diamond?
Radiant cut diamonds have similar dimensions to an emerald cut diamond coupled with the dazzling effect you get from a round brilliant cut.
They have the highest number of facets in this category of diamond cuts. Radiant cut diamonds boast 70 good facets and allow enough light into the diamond.
For this reason, they are a great mix of sparkling celebration and subdued sophistication.
How many facets in an emerald cut diamond?
Unfortunately, emerald cut diamonds do not conceal imperfections well due to their long step cuts. For this reason, inclusions are more visible in lower clarity emerald-cut diamonds.
They have 49 facets. In as much so, they are less scintillating due to their cut, thus an emphasis on their inferior color.
How many facets in a cushion cut diamond?
Cushion cut diamonds feature 58 facets.
All its facets equally disperse light, resulting in a diamond with a dynamic appearance and ultimate dazzle.
Its shaper resembles that of a pillow- a square with rounded corners.
How many facets in a round cut diamond?
Round cut diamonds have 57 facets, without the culet. You will find 33 above the girdle and 25 below the girdle.
How many facets in a pear cut diamond?
Pear cut diamonds have 58 facets, with its pavilion facets ranging from around 4-8 facets. Its typical ratio is usually between 1.5 and 1.5.
Sometimes, they are cut with a French tip, to replace the large bezel facet at the point with upper girdle facets and a star.
How many facets in a marquise cut diamond?
Marquise cut diamonds, also known as ‘navette-shaped diamonds’ are comprised of 58 facets. 33 of the facets are found on the crown, whereas 25 are on the pavilion.
If you look closely, you will notice that the facets in its pavilion range between 4 and 8.
How many facets in an Asscher cut diamond?
Asscher cut diamonds are considered vintage, and they have a total of 57 facets.
Just like the emerald, they feature step facets.
These facets have a similar visual appearance to a staircase.
They may be unique in terms of cut but aren’t as brilliant as round cut diamonds.
How many facets in trillion cut diamonds?
Trillion-shaped diamonds have a total facet count of 50. You will notice that this cut isn’t as deep as most diamond cuts.
Their shallow depth tends to tamper with its overall brilliance.
As much so, it has a unique equilateral shape ideal for three-stone engagement rings. It is the perfect accent stone for framing any center diamonds.
How many facts in Ashoka cut diamonds?
This is one of the rarest diamond cuts in the industry. For this reason, it is the most expensive, and its brilliance is to die for.
It has a total facet count of 62 and was developed by William Goldberg. To achieve this cut, you have to be dealing with a flawless diamond.
Conclusion
Most diamonds have a total facet count of 58. In as much so, the main consideration is how and where the facets are cut. Symmetry is the most important factor that determines the quality of diamonds.
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Stephanie is a jewelry lover when she was a teenager. Her major was fashion design when she was in college. She is a jewelry designer at SOQ Jewelry and other design companies. Now she is also a writer for our website. She writes a lot of designs&brands posts with very actionable tips.