Diamonds show off their best characteristics when they are cut properly. In 1919, Marcel Towlkowsky forumulated a cut for round diamonds, detailing proportions he believed allowed a diamond to look its best. Those proportions are still used to describe an Ideal Cut diamond.
An ideal cut isn't always the best cut for a diamond. New cutting and polishing techniques have been developed and as a result we see more "top" diamond cuts than ever.
Diamond cut is only one of the characteristics you'll consider when buying a diamond. Three others are part of the famous Four Cs: clarity, color and carat weight. A fifth C is important to most shoppers: cost. Explore the diamond cuts in this gallery. Then consider other diamond characteristics to decide which combination of qualities works best for you.
