Cut is the result of a craftsman's skill in transforming a rough diamond into a breathtaking gem. A diamond has facets that allow light to enter it, become refracted, and exit in a rainbow of colors. Thus, a better cut diamond does a better job of dazzling us with its beauty. As detailed in the diagrams below, an ideal cut does the best job of refracting light out of the top of the stone (creating the dazzle or brilliance). In contrast, a cut that is too shallow or deep reduces the brilliance of a stone.

The Way Diamonds Handle Light