Diamond Anatomy

Diameter: The width of the diamond as measured through the girdle Table: The largest facet of a gemstone.

Crown: The top portion of a diamond extending from the girdle to the table.

Girdle: The intersection of the crown and pavilion which defines the perimeter of the diamond.

Pavilion: The bottom portion of a diamond, extending from the girdle to the culet.

Culet: The facet at the tip of a gemstone. The preferred culet is not visible with the unaided eye (grade “none” or “small”)

Depth: The height of a gemstone measured from the culet to the table

Polish and Symmetry Affect Sparkle

Polish and symmetry are two important aspects of the cutting process. The polish grade describes the smoothness of the diamond’s facets, and the symmetry grade refers to alignment of the facets. With poor polish, the surface can be dulled, and may create blurred or dulled sparkle. With poor symmetry, light can be measured as it enters and exits the diamond.