Let’s Talk Sparkle — The Diamond Cut at Adrisya

In the simplest terms, Cut is what makes a diamond truly shine. It plays a vital role in how brilliantly a diamond reflects and refracts light.

A well-cut diamond allows light to travel through it beautifully, enhancing its brilliance (the bright white light you see), fire (those rainbow flashes of colour), and scintillation (the dazzling sparkle seen when the diamond moves).

Here’s what those mean:

• Brilliance: The reflection of white light from the surface and inside of the diamond.

• Fire (Dispersion): Flashes of spectral colour that emerge as light bends through the stone.

• Scintillation: The play of light and dark patterns—aka, the eye-catching sparkle you see when the diamond moves.

It’s important not to confuse Cut with Shape.

• Cut refers to how well the diamond has been crafted from its original rough form—its proportions, symmetry, and polish.

• Shape, on the other hand, is simply the outline or silhouette of the diamond—like Round, Oval, Princess, Marquise, and other creative forms.

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Understanding Diamond Cuts at Adrisya

When we talk about Cut, it’s not just about looks—it’s about how light behaves inside the diamond. Here’s how different cuts affect sparkle:

• Shallow Cut: Light enters the diamond but leaks out from the bottom. The result? Less brilliance and a duller appearance.

• Ideal Cut: This is the sweet spot. Crafted with precise proportions, an ideal cut reflects most of the light straight back through the top of the diamond—creating maximum brilliance and sparkle.

• Deep Cut: Light escapes from the sides instead of reflecting back. This can make the diamond appear darker and smaller than it really is.

At Adrisya, we focus on cuts that bring out the natural beauty of each diamond. Because when it comes to sparkle, precision makes all the difference.

Types of Diamond Cuts — Let’s Go a Step Deeper

So far, we’ve focused on Cut in terms of how well a diamond is proportioned—but here’s something important to note: there are actually two distinct cutting styles, and they play a big role in how a diamond looks and sparkles.

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Brilliant Cut vs Step Cut — What’s the Difference?

The Brilliant Cut is designed to maximise sparkle. The most iconic of these is the Round Brilliant, known for its dazzling shine. Over time, this cutting style inspired a range of Modified Brilliant Cuts—including shapes like Princess, Marquise, and Heart.

• The Round Brilliant Cut has 58 triangular facets, precisely angled to bounce light back through the top of the diamond, producing intense brilliance and fire.

• Many Fancy Shape diamonds that follow the brilliant cut style—like Pear or Oval—typically feature 56 to 58 facets, while the Radiant Cut can have up to 70 facets for even more sparkle.

On the other hand, Step Cuts—like Emerald or Asscher—use long, rectangular facets arranged in a stair-like fashion. This style creates more of a subtle, elegant shimmer rather than a fiery sparkle. Step Cuts highlight clarity and symmetry, offering a sophisticated mirror-like shine.

Polish & Symmetry – The Unsung Heroes of Diamond Brilliance

While the 4Cs—Cut, Clarity, Colour, and Carat—are key when choosing a diamond, other elements like Polish, Symmetry, and Fluorescence also play a crucial role in a diamond’s overall appearance and value.

At Adrisya, we handpick each diamond to meet our high standards. We adhere to minimum quality grades for Polish, Symmetry, and Fluorescence to ensure every piece sparkles with excellence. If you’re looking for something specific or want to guarantee certain quality levels, we’re more than happy to source a diamond tailored to your preferences.

What is Polish?

Polish refers to the smoothness and finish of a diamond’s surface—specifically, how well the facets have been polished after cutting. A well-polished diamond allows light to pass cleanly through each facet, enhancing its brilliance and fire.

What is Symmetry?

Symmetry describes how precisely a diamond’s facets are aligned and arranged. Perfect symmetry ensures that light reflects evenly, creating consistent sparkle and overall harmony in the stone’s appearance.

When Polish and Symmetry are poor, they can impact the Cut Grade, which in turn affects how a diamond sparkles—its brilliance, dispersion (fire), and scintillation (sparkle when in motion). For example, a misaligned table or uneven facet placement can disrupt light performance and reduce the visual appeal of the diamond.

Why It Matters

• Excellent Polish & Symmetry contribute to a crisper, cleaner sparkle.

• Visible imperfections, such as an off-centre culet or asymmetrical crown, can reduce the diamond’s optical performance—even if they are subtle.

If you’d like to explore more about Fluorescence or see visual examples of symmetry variations, let us know—we’re happy to guide you through the finer details of diamond selection.

The Importance of Polish & Cut – A Finishing Touch that Matters

Once the cutting process is complete, every single facet of a diamond undergoes polishing. This finishing step is vital. Even the smallest scratches, polishing lines, or burn marks can impact how light interacts with the stone—ultimately affecting its brilliance and earning it a lower Polish Grade.

A poor polish can cause a diamond to appear slightly hazy or dull, while a high polish grade ensures that your diamond reaches its full sparkle potential, with smooth, light-catching surfaces that radiate beauty.

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Why Don’t Fancy Shapes Have a ‘Cut’ Grade Like Round Diamonds?

You might notice that only Round Brilliant diamonds come with a formal Cut grade. That’s because Round cuts are geometrically uniform, making them easier to assess in terms of how well they reflect and refract light.

Shapes like Princess, Oval, Pear, or Marquise fall under the category of Fancy Cuts. These don’t have standardized Cut grades—yet. According to the Gemological Institute of America (GIA):

“An internationally accepted system for visually evaluating the appearance of fancy-cut diamonds does not exist at this time. At GIA, research is underway to develop the basic concepts for designing and implementing such a system.”

At Adrisya, we ensure that every Fancy Shape diamond we select meets excellent internal standards for proportion, symmetry, and brilliance—even in the absence of a formal cut grade. We work within specific guidelines for depth, table, and length-to-width ratios to give you a stone that reflects light beautifully and balances elegance with performance.