Illusion setting
This setting is more intricate than others in that it surrounds the stone to make it appear larger. The metal that surrounds the stone usually has an interesting design. Click here to learn more about jewelry settings.

Inclusions
Often referred to as "nature’s fingerprints," these are internal imperfections within most diamonds. They are what makes a diamond so unique, as a fingerprint does for a person. These birthmarks are measured on a scale of perfection known as clarity. Some common names of inclusions include cloud, crystal, pinpoint, and feather. The position of inclusions can affect the clarity of a diamond and therefore the value. Click here for more on clarity.

Marquise shape
A boat-shaped diamond that is long and thin with gently curved sides that come to a point on either end. Marquise is part of the brilliant-cut family. Click here to learn more about diamond shapes.

Mixed-cut
This cut has both step-cut and brilliant-cut facets. Mixed cuts combine the beauty of the emerald cut with the sparkle of the brilliant cut. Click here to learn more about cutting styles.

Pavilion
Bottom portion of the stone, under the girdle, measuring to the culet.

Pinpoint
A pinpoint is a small dot, which is an inclusion within a diamond. A gathering of pinpoints is called a "cluster" or "cloud." A cloud or cluster can appear as a hazy area in the diamond. Click here to learn more about pinpoints and how they affect clarity.

Polish
Indicates the care taken by the cutter in shaping and facetting the rough stone into a finished and polished diamond.

Poor cut
Cut refers to the angles and proportions a skilled craftsman creates in transforming a rough diamond into a finished diamond. A poorly cut diamond can be either cut too deep or too shallow. A deep or shallow cut diamond will lose or leak light through the side or bottom. This results in less brilliance and value. Click here to learn more about cut.

Princess cut
A square or sometimes rectangular-shaped modified brilliant-cut diamond. Click here to learn more about cutting styles.

Prong or claw setting
It consists of four or six claws that cradle the diamond. Because this setting allows the maximum amount of light to enter a stone from all angles, it sometimes can make a diamond appear larger and more brilliant than its actual weight. This setting can also hold larger diamonds more securely. Click here to learn more about jewelry settings.

Proportion
The proportions of a diamond are very important, so that the maximum amount of light be reflected off and out of a stone. Proportion is the relationship between the angles of the facets of the crown and pavillion. Click here to learn more about what constitutes the proper proportions in relationship to cut.

Radiant cut
A rectangular or square shaped diamond with step-cut and scissor-cut on the crown and a brilliant-cut on the pavilion. Click here to learn more about cutting styles.

BACK TO TOP