Since i opened a proverbial can of worms yesterday,.. this is what an “Ideal Cut Diamond” is according to American Gem Society Laboratory standards:
all of the following content is directly from the AGS resources, as a Certified Gemologist Appraiser, AGS I am happy to refer you to the “customer” side of the site: https://www.americangemsociety.org/page/agsdiamondgrading
“The AGS 0–10 grading scale is easy to understand: the highest possible grade is zero, and the lowest is 10. Easy, huh?
So, a diamond with a color grade of 3 has less color than a diamond with a color grade of 5. Diamonds having less color are rarer; therefore, they may cost more. When writing the grades of a diamond using the AGS Scale, diamond Cut grade is first, then diamond Color, Clarity, then Carat Weight—in that order. If a diamond possessing the finest diamond Cut grade is also colorless, free of inclusions and blemishes, and weighs one carat, it would be written as: 0/0/0–1.000 carat. “
“Keep in mind that a well-cut diamond will have more life and sparkle than one with a lesser cut quality. Not only will an AGS Ideal cut diamond have more sparkle, but it can even appear to have a better face-up color or clarity! And, if you compare a well-cut small diamond side by side with a slightly larger diamond of lesser cut quality, the smaller diamond may look larger to the naked eye. Overall, it’s important to have your diamonds graded by a credentialed expert or a reputable diamond grading laboratory such as American Gem Society Laboratories. You need a certified appraiser that truly understands the Ideal diamond cut. “
The Science of Scintillation™ Scintillation Metrics and Maps
Scintillation is sparkle. Scintillation is the play of white and colored flashes of light seen when the diamond is viewed in motion. Viewable with the naked eye, scintillation is the life of the diamond. The two dynamic aspects of sparkle are called flash scintillation and fire scintillation.
An example of an AGS IDEAL CUT Certificate
Look for AGS jewelers to find reputable AGS member stores, and remember to ask for an American Gem Society Laboratory graded diamond.