Diamond Symmetry

Subject: Diamond Symmetry Tue Mar 29, 2011 9:07 pm

Diamond Symmetry
Symmetry of the diamond is the shape and arrangement of the facets of the diamond. Flaws of diamond symmetry include facets that are misshapen, culets and tables that are cut off center and wavy girdles. The symmetry of a diamond determines how light will travel through the diamond. Light that is at angles that are slightly off can cause the diamond to appear less brilliant.
There are three grades of symmetry for a diamond; good, very good and excellent. Most diamonds are graded as good. There are very few diamonds for sale that are very good or excellent and those diamonds tend to be higher clarity diamonds. Excellent symmetry diamonds appear to be flawless even with examined with a ten power lens. A very good symmetry diamond has a flaw in the symmetry that is extremely difficult to see under power of ten lenses. A diamond rated as good for symmetry has a flaw that is very difficult to see under power of ten lenses. A fair symmetry diamond has a cutting flaw that is noticeable under the same lens and a poor symmetry diamond has a flaw that is easy to see under the magnification of ten and is possible to be seen by the eye. A very poor symmetry diamond has a cutting flaw that is relatively easy to see with the eye only and an extremely poor diamond has an obvious symmetry flaw.

A diamond with poor symmetry may misdirect light that travels into the diamond, sending it off at slightly wrong angles, and thereby reducing the diamond’s brilliance. Often, a diamond cutter will purposefully allow a minor reduction in symmetry as a way of preventing a defect present in the rough stone from being retained as part of the finished diamond.

Symmetry may not change the appearance of a diamond very much but it has a major affect on the price of the diamond. A diamond that is rate as excellent in symmetry may be up to 15% more expensive that a similar diamond with a lower symmetry grade. Although it does not affect the look of the diamond to this degree it is a perceived value in the buyer’s mind.

Choosing a diamond should include other factors beside the symmetry. The cut grade is a more important factor when buying a diamond. If you are comparing two diamonds with the same cut grading then symmetry and polish may be factors to weight in deciding which diamond to buy.

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