And we're happy to give it to you. Here is a breakdown of how these characteristics add up, courtesy of the American Gem Society. When a diamond is cut even a bit too deep or too shallow, light leaks out the bottom, instead of reflecting back at you. Ask your jeweler how your diamond compares proportionally to an ideal cut. A gemologist can evaluate the cut with precise gauges.
Color also figures prominently in the value of a diamond.
Most are graded on a scale that ranges from colorless through yellowish. Although the closer to colorless, the better, a well-cut diamond can disguise certain degrees of coloration. The AGS uses a system that has a total of 21 different grades. The color variations are difficult to see, even by a trained eye, but the color is best seen by viewing the diamond from its side. The clarity refers to the presence or absence of inclusions within the diamond and blemishes on its surface.