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High Definition Diamonds
Fact or Fiction?
Scene: (Also
known as "The Set Up".) Young man walks into a jewelry
store to buy a diamond. We’ll call the young man Ralph and
the store salesperson Buddy.
Ralph:
Hi there, I’m Ralph and I’m looking for a round diamond.
Buddy:
Hi, I’m Buddy. What kind of round are you looking for?
Ralph:
A shy 1ct, VS-1, G, Class II, no fluorescence, natural and bonded.
Buddy:
No problem, what faceting arrangement would you like?
Ralph:
Faceting arrangement?
Buddy:
Well, are you looking for a Modern Era Cut and if so, which one?
Ralph:
Huh?
Buddy:
A Modern Era Cut is not only well proportioned, but comes in 58-144
facet combinations.
A Non-Modern Era
Cut would be a single cut with 16-17 facets or a full cut 57-58
facets, but Old Miners (squared round) or Old European (high crown,
sawed off culet) for weight retention.
Ralph:
I definitely want a Modern Era Cut but I didn’t know I could
get a multi-facet arrangement to my liking. What’s the theory
behind adding more than 58 facets?
Buddy:
Oh sir, it’s not a theory, but a proven fact! The more facets,
the more brilliance.
Ralph:
So a 144 faceted diamond has more brilliance than a 58 faceted diamond?
Buddy:
You betcha!
Ralph:
Well if that’s true, why would anyone buy less than 144 facets?
Buddy:
Personal taste. Some people just can’t handle too much brilliance
so they pick the facet number that suits them best. Like picking
out what wattage you want your bulb for a lamp.
Ralph:
Do these multi-faceted diamonds cost more?
Buddy:
Oh yes sir! They are very labor intensive and only the finest rough
(what diamonds look like before they are cut) is chosen.
Ralph:
So how do I refer to these diamonds?
Buddy:
Well Ralph, they all have their own names. For example, The Zoe
Diamond has 100 facets and was invented by Gabi Tolkowsky, the nephew
to Marcel Tolkowsky who invented The American Ideal. There’s
also the Leo Cut from Leo Schachter that has 66 facets for just
a little extra zing! Try to think of these multi-faceted rounds
as "High Definition Diamonds". You’ll get a clearer,
sharper, more brilliant picture.
Ralph:
How many types of these "High Definition Diamonds" are
out there?
Buddy:
Tons, practically, a new one hits the market every day! Let me tell
you about…
Ralph:
No, that’s okay, I’ll get back with you, I’ve got
a headache.
(Fade to Black)
The Facts:
1.) The job of a
facet with the exception of the table facet is like that of a prism,
to break light after the color spectrum, not increase its
magnitude
or intensity. Extra faceted diamonds cannot, I repeat, cannot increase
the brilliance or white light return to your eye.
2.) All of these
"High Definition Diamonds" are trademarked or branded;
leaving only a few distributors able to sell them through contract
with the cutting company. (Translation: Big cost, no secondary market
value due to poor distribution.)
3.) High Definition
Diamonds are not bondable as of the publication of this article,
leaving you with no guarantees.
4.) High Definition
Diamonds may be a fact (they do exist) but they are just slick marketing
campaigns designed to get a bigger piece of an already shrinking
diamond pie.
So what’s the
final word on these "High Definition Diamonds"? Leave
them alone. The only thing high on these diamonds is their price
and their definition is incomplete.
by Fred Cuellar,
author of the best-selling book "How to Buy a Diamond." More questions?
Ask the Diamond Guy®
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