Many people envision a big diamond for their engagement ring. Whether it’s a 1 Carat or 3 Carat diamond, they have their eyes set on a large stone. But a diamond’s size isn’t the only thing that matters. In fact, it’s most important to choose a diamond that has an excellent cut. When a diamond’s facets and proportions are optimal, more light reflects off of the table—causing the diamond to shine. In other words, a smaller well-cut diamond will radiate far more than a large lifeless diamond.
Unfortunately, some jewelers are too focused on getting you to buy a diamond, even when it’s not a smart choice. That’s how spready diamonds originated—the stones look larger, even though they lack sparkle.
Spread diamonds refer to stones that have been cut in a way that maximizes their surface area, making them appear larger than their actual carat weight would suggest. While this might sound like an appealing feature, it’s important to understand that the cut may compromise other qualities of the diamond, such as brilliance and sparkle. If the diamond is too “spread,” the cut could be shallow, causing light to leak out instead of reflecting within the stone, diminishing its overall appearance.
When considering a spread diamond, the most crucial element to look at is the cut quality. Be cautious of diamonds that appear too shallow or flat, as they are likely to lack the sparkle and brilliance that make diamonds so appealing. Ensure that you are purchasing from reputable sellers and that the diamond comes with a certification from a recognized gemological laboratory, which will provide detailed information about the cut and other characteristics of the stone. The allure of getting a “bigger look for less” can be tempting, but remember that compromising too much on cut quality can result in a less brilliant and less valuable diamond.
Here we discuss what spread diamonds are and how best to evaluate a diamond’s cut for maximum beauty.
Why you should trust us To help you with the diamond buying process we lean on our expertise and experience. The author of this article, our CEO, Mike Fried has over 20 years of experience in the diamond industry. Mike started from the bottom, sorting and evaluating hundreds of thousands of diamonds to learn every facet (pun intended) of diamond quality and value. Mike followed that up by spending years buying and selling diamonds on the wholesale market as well as selling tens of millions of dollars worth of diamonds to diamond retailers.
Carat weight measures just the actual weight of the diamond while the spread, or face up measurements, is determined by the total depth combined with facet angles on the diamond. Just because two diamonds weigh the same, does not mean that face up they will look similar.
Should You Buy a Spready Diamond?
Beautifully cut 0.61ct Round Cut Diamond
Spread diamonds might seem like a great buy because they look larger than other diamonds of the same carat weight. But they are cut too shallow to offer brilliance and sparkle. Light leaks out, rather than reflecting back to your eye. That’s why we strongly recommend staying away from spread diamonds.
Even if you purchase a lower carat weight stone, like a 0.71 carat diamond ring like this from Blue Nile, you’ll have far more beauty than buying a large, dull diamond. With a well-proportioned stone, you’ll have a ring that sparkles for years to come.
What happens when a Diamond Cut is too shallow?
When a diamond is cut too shallow, light hits the pavilion at a low angle. In these cases, light travels through the diamond and escapes out the sides, instead of reflecting back through the table to your eyes.
While spready diamonds appear large, their shallow cut has a huge impact on their light performance. As the American Gem Society explains here, when a diamond is shallow, the majority of the light exits out the bottom—reducing its brilliance and beauty. A shallow diamond means the facets aren’t angled to bounce light optimally and create sparkle.
”Cut quality is the factor that fuels a diamond’s fire, sparkle and brilliance. The allure and beauty of a particular diamond depends more on cut quality than anything else.” Gemological Institute of America (GIA)
What is the “Spread” in Sports Betting
FAQ
What is a spread cut diamond?
Is it better to have a deep or shallow diamond?
How many carats is good quality?
Is higher carat better or worse?
What is a 1 carat diamond spread?
It is the apparent size of the diamond for its particular carat size. Since the reflection is stronger, a 1-carat diamond with a wider spread would appear more prominent than a 1-carat gem with a narrower spread. So, what’s the perfect diamond spread? It’s something to consider in a particular circumstance, based on the form of the diamond.
What is diamond carat?
Gathering our thoughts on diamond carat, let’s reflect on the key points we’ve explored in this guide. Carat, a measure of a diamond’s weight, plays a significant role in defining the stone’s size, value, and overall appeal. Carat Weight and Size Perception: Remember, carat weight indicates the diamond’s weight, not its size.
What is the difference between a carat and a diamond?
The term ‘carat’ is the primary indicator of a diamond’s weight, not its size. The size or the dimensions of the diamond are influenced by how the diamond is cut, which is a secondary factor. So, while the carat weight tells you how much a diamond weighs, the cut and shape of the diamond determine its apparent size.
What is a carat & why is it important?
Carat, a measure of a diamond’s weight, plays a significant role in defining the stone’s size, value, and overall appeal. Carat Weight and Size Perception: Remember, carat weight indicates the diamond’s weight, not its size. Different shapes and cuts affect how large the diamond appears, even with the same carat weight.