DIAMOND FACETS IDENTIFIED

Credit: GIA.EDU

A polished diamond is made up of various sizes and shaped facets. A facet is a flat, polished surface on a diamond or gemstone. The facets are cut into the diamond to enhance the way it reflects light, creating sparkle and brilliance. The facets also help to make the diamond appear larger and more brilliant.

Above you will find the common and hopefully easily understood schematic of a round brilliant cut diamond with its facet makeup. The largest facet on a round brilliant-cut diamond is the Table facet. In the schematic on the TOP VIEW, the Table is the large flat surface area at the top of the diamond. Unlike all the other facets of the diamond, the Table does not possess a twin that it is attempting to "mirror" or reflect/refract off of. ALL other facets of the diamond should actually "speak" to its counterpart and if aligned and proportioned properly, will create fire, sparkle, and scintillation.

A round brilliant cut diamond generally has 57 facets(IF the culet is left open, 58 facets). The odd number 57 refers to the Table facet being the only facet without an identical counterpart.

The facet shape, polishing, and alignment are the keys to Symmetry grading. Symmetry will play a paramount role in determining a diamond's sparkle.

Though the schematic shown above is of a round brilliant cut diamond, you should note that all modern cut-shaped diamonds that you may be familiar with have the same facet names(though there may be the addition of a "chevron" facet located on the pavilion of a square or rectangular stone). The most basic facets will refer to the table, crown, and pavilion areas of the diamond.