Diamond Brilliance: All You Need to Know

Diamonds have fascinated people for centuries. Their sparkle, shine, and ability to catch the light make them one of the most sought-after gemstones in the world. But what exactly makes a diamond shine so brightly? The answer lies in its brilliance. In this blog, we will explore everything you need to know about diamond brilliance, from what it is to how you can maximize it in your diamond.

What is Diamond Brilliance?

First, we need to understand what makes a diamond brilliant. It's all about how light interacts with the stone. Think of it like a tiny, perfectly crafted light show. Light enters the diamond, bounces around inside thanks to the precisely cut facets, and then bursts back out, creating that dazzling effect.

Two key things are happening here: reflection and refraction. Refraction is when light bends as it passes from one substance to another, like when a straw looks bent in a glass of water. Diamonds are masters at this, bending light to a high degree. Reflection is when light bounces off a surface, like a mirror. Inside a diamond, the light bounces from facet to facet, maximizing its journey within the stone.

Difference Between Brilliance, Fire, and Scintillation

While brilliance is about the white light a diamond reflects, fire and scintillation are two other important aspects of a diamond's appearance.

• Fire: This is the colored light you see when a diamond disperses light into rainbow colors. It's like a tiny prism effect inside the stone.

• Scintillation: This refers to the sparkle or flashes of light you see when the diamond or the light source moves. It's what makes a diamond look lively and dynamic.

Together, brilliance, fire, and scintillation create the overall sparkle that makes diamonds so captivating.

What Affects a Diamond's Brilliance?

Several factors influence how brilliant a diamond appears. Let's break them down one by one.

Cut Quality – The Most Important Factor

The cut of a diamond is the single most important factor in determining its brilliance. A well-cut diamond is designed to reflect as much light as possible back to the viewer.

• Excellent Cut: This type of diamond cut exhibits a higher degree of brilliance, fire, and scintillation

• Very Good Cut: These diamonds also display impressive light performance, though slightly less than Excellent cuts.  

• Good Cut: These diamonds still have good light return but may appear slightly darker or less vibrant.

• Fair Cut: These diamonds exhibit significant light leakage, meaning they do not reflect light effectively back to the viewer. As a result, they appear dull and lack the brilliance and sparkle typically associated with higher-quality diamonds.

• Poor Cut: When a diamond is cut too shallow, light entering the stone escapes through the bottom, reducing its brilliance. Similarly, if cut too deep, the light leaks out through the sides instead of reflecting to the viewer. In both cases, the diamond loses its sparkle and appears dull.

The cut is so important that it can make even a diamond with lower color or clarity grades look stunning.

Diamond Shape & Brilliance

The shape of a diamond also plays a role in its brilliance. Some shapes are naturally better at reflecting light.

• Round Brilliant: This is the most popular and the most selling shape known for its exceptional brilliance. Its 58 facets are designed to maximize light reflection, giving you the best sparkle possible in a diamond.

• Fancy Shapes: Diamond shapes other than the round diamond shape are known as fancy shapes, which include oval, princess, emerald, pear, cushion, asscher, and marquise. This fancy shape may not reflect light as evenly as a round diamond.

Clarity & Its Role in Brilliance

Clarity refers to internal or external flaws, known as inclusions and blemishes. While clarity doesn't directly affect brilliance, it can influence how light travels through the diamond. The clarity of a diamond is graded on a scale that ranges from Flawless (FL) to Included (I3).

• Flawless (FL): No inclusions or blemishes are visible under 10x magnification. Offers maximum brilliance and sparkle.  

• Internally Flawless (IF): No inclusions are visible under 10x magnification, but there may be minor blemishes on the surface. Nearly perfect clarity, maintaining exceptional brilliance.  

• Very, Very Slightly Included (VVS1 and VVS2): Inclusions are so small that they are difficult for a skilled grader to see under 10x magnification. Retains excellent brilliance and sparkle.  

• Very Slightly Included (VS1 and VS2): Inclusions are visible under 10x magnification but are still relatively small and not easily seen with the naked eye. Provides great brilliance with minimal impact on sparkle.  

• Slightly Included (SI1 and SI2): Inclusions are more noticeable under 10x magnification and may be visible to the naked eye. Brilliance is good but may be slightly reduced.  

• Included (I1, I2, and I3): Inclusions are obvious under 10x magnification and are easily seen with the naked eye. These inclusions affect the diamond's brilliance and sparkle.

The Role of Diamond Color

Diamond color refers to the presence of any tint in the stone. While most diamonds appear colorless, some have a yellow or brown tint.

• Colorless Diamonds (D-F): These diamonds allow more light to pass through, enhancing brilliance.

• Near-Colorless Diamonds (G-J): These diamonds may have a slight tint, but it's usually not noticeable to the naked eye. They can still be very brilliant.

• Tinted Diamonds (K and below): A strong tint can reduce the light that enters and exits the diamond, making it appear less brilliant.

How to Maximize Diamond Brilliance

If you want your diamond to shine as brightly as possible, here are some tips to help you achieve that.

Choosing the Right Cut Grade

As mentioned earlier, the cut is the most important factor in a diamond's brilliance. When shopping for a diamond, look for an excellent or very good cut grade. These diamonds are cut to precise proportions that maximize light reflection.

Proper Cleaning & Maintenance

Over time, dirt, oil, and grime can build up on a diamond's surface, reducing its brilliance. Regular cleaning can help restore its sparkle.

• At-Home Cleaning: Use a mild soap and warm water to clean your diamond gently. A soft toothbrush can help remove dirt from hard-to-reach areas.

• Professional Cleaning: Jewelers have specialized tools and solutions to clean diamonds more thoroughly. Having your diamond professionally cleaned once or twice a year is a good idea.

Setting & Light Performance

The way a diamond is set can also affect its brilliance. A setting that allows plenty of light to enter the diamond will enhance its sparkle.

• Prong Settings: These allow maximum light exposure, making them ideal for showcasing a diamond's brilliance.

• Bezel Settings: While these offer more protection, they can block some light, reducing brilliance.

Brilliance in Natural Vs. Lab Grown Diamonds

One common question is whether lab grown diamonds are as brilliant as natural diamonds. The answer is yes.

Natural Diamonds

Natural diamonds are also made of pure carbon and share the same optical properties as lab grown diamonds. Their sparkle, brilliance, and "fire" depend on the same factors: cut, clarity, and color.

• Cut: A skilled cutter can craft a natural diamond to maximize light return and brilliance. Poorly cut natural diamonds, like lab grown ones, will look dull.

• Clarity: Natural diamonds can have inclusions, but high-clarity grades are achievable. These imperfections, like clouds or specks, can reduce brilliance if excessive.

• Color: Natural diamonds also range in color, with less color leading to greater brilliance. A colorless natural diamond sparkles just as much as a colorless lab grown one.

Lab Grown Diamonds

Lab grown diamonds are made of pure carbon, just like natural diamonds, giving them identical optical properties. They bend light the same way (refractive index) and split light into rainbow colors (dispersion), creating the signature "fire" of a diamond. A lab grown diamond with the same cut, clarity, and color as a natural one will sparkle just as brilliantly.

• Cut: The cut is critical for sparkle. A well-cut lab grown diamond will maximize light return, ensuring brilliance. Poorly cut diamonds, even if lab grown, will appear dull.

• Clarity: Lab grown diamonds often have fewer inclusions (tiny imperfections) than natural ones, leading to higher clarity grades. This means they interfere less with light and maintain excellent brilliance.

• Color: Lab grown diamonds are graded on the same color scale as natural diamonds and can achieve a colorless appearance that rivals natural stones.

One thing that sometimes confuses people is the perceived value of natural diamonds. Because they are rarer, natural diamonds command a higher price. This higher price can sometimes lead people to believe they are somehow "better" or "brighter." But this is a matter of economics and perception, not physics. The sparkle itself is determined by the diamond's properties, not its origin.

Myths About Diamond Brilliance

There are many misconceptions about diamond brilliance. Let's debunk a few of them.

1. Bigger Diamonds Are Always More Brilliant: Size doesn't determine brilliance. A smaller diamond with an excellent cut can outshine a larger diamond with a poor cut.

2. All Diamonds Sparkle the Same: Not all diamonds are created equal. Factors like cut, clarity, and color significantly affect how much a diamond sparkles.

3. Brilliance is the Only Thing That Matters: While brilliance is important, fire and scintillation also contribute to a diamond's overall beauty.

Conclusion

Diamond brilliance is what makes these gemstones so captivating. It results from various factors, including cut, shape, clarity, and color. By understanding these factors, you can choose a diamond that sparkles brilliantly and stands out.

Whether you prefer a natural or lab grown diamond, the key to maximizing brilliance lies in selecting a well-cut stone and taking good care of it. With proper cleaning and the right setting, your diamond will continue to shine brightly for years.

So, the next time you admire a diamond's sparkle, you'll know exactly what makes it so dazzling.