Proportions . . . Create Brilliance and Beauty

In the diamond trade, the cut of a diamond is referred to in terms of its "proportions" which include Table Diameter, Crown Angle, Pavilion Depth\ /Angle, Total Depth Percentage, and Length to Width Ratio. In the past, proportions were simply classified as Good, Very Good, or Excellent. Today, however, diamond shoppers want to know more about the stones they are about to purchase.

Diamond ProportionsMost industry experts agree that a diamond’s proportions have the most significant effect on brilliance and beauty. You might have heard of the "ideal-cut diamond" produced through the mathematical efforts of Marcel Tolkowsky. In 1919, he published in his book Diamond Design, the configuration of the perfect diamond.

> Click to see Proportion Elements

In this diagram he is depicting the exact proportions he determined would yield the maximum brilliance from a diamond. When you begin grading diamonds you will note that each of the criteria for proportions is divided into ranges. For example: Tolkowsky's Table Diameter percentage is 53% however it does not need to be only 53% a range of 53% to 57% is considered excellent.