Cut is the only diamond characteristic directly influenced by man - the other three are dictated by nature. A good round brilliant cut releases the life, fire and sparkle of a diamond through the arrangement and proportions of its 57 or 58 facets (tiny planes that create angles to reflect light ).

When a diamond is cut to good proportions, light will reflext from one facet to another and disperse throughthe top of the stone, resulting in display of brilliance and fire. Diamonds that are cut too shallow or too deep lose light that spills through the site or bottom.