Which Diamond Cut Sparkles The Most? Different Diamonds & Their Brilliance

It’s a question that precedes any important diamond purchase. Which diamond has the best sparkle? Understanding why diamonds sparkle, the factors that make them brilliant, and ultimately, which cut is the best for an unforgettable light show will help you to choose the most show-stopping diamond.

We’ve all seen diamonds sparkle – it’s the moment when a diamond’s multiple surfaces (known as facets) interact with light, coming directly from the source or with light bouncing off objects in the environment to create that unique feeling of awe.

The diamond’s ability to bounce light is formally categorized as diamond brilliance in the case of white light or diamond fire when concerning colored light. Both brilliance and fire are primarily determined by a diamond’s cut. In this blog, we’ll rank different diamond cuts depending on their ability to reflect and refract light to give that all-important sparkle.

So, whether you’re debating size vs sparkle to weigh up what’s most important in your purchase, you’re keen to know which cut to select for maximum shine, or simply want to learn more about this fascinating stone, read on.

Put simply, round cut diamonds are the clear winner if you’re simply looking for the most sparkle. With the perfect symmetry of the facet design, and a balanced mix of small and large facets, a precision cut round brilliant returns more light to the eye than any other cut. And it refracts that light into a fiery, scintillating light shown.

Round cut diamonds, typically featuring 57 or 58 facets, are capable of exhibiting the ultimate in brilliance and fire. When properly proportioned and the facets aligned with three dimensional precision no other diamond cut can compete with its light performance. With proven 3D symmetry and impeccable craftsmanship A CUT ABOVE super

 ideal diamonds are some of the most beautiful diamonds ever brought to market.

Although no other diamond shape can quite compete with round cut diamonds, other cuts aren’t all created equal.

Some – like princess cut diamonds – are better than others in terms of their optics. Princess cut diamonds are symmetrical and geometric with four equal or almost equal sides. The brilliant style faceting of their pavilions help them to attract light in the much the same way the round cut interacts with the environment. The cut quality and craftsmanship is critical to producing an ideal princess cut.

Oval, pear, and marquise diamonds all still offer an astonishing appearance of sparkle.. All feature brilliant style faceting on the pavilion to create scintillation. These elongated shapes can be very alluring and attractive, even if not at the same level of light performance as a well cut round brilliant. With these diamond cuts, you have to pay attention to the length-to-width ratio. If that ratio is too large the diamond looks skinny, too small and the diamond looks chubby. Sleek and elegant is the goal with these shapes. A well cut round brilliant, with its perfect symmetry has fewer variables which enables a more complete return of light to the eye.

Cushion cuts and radiant cuts tend to produce a “crushed ice” appearance with a lower intensity and more subtle sparkle. While not as brilliant as the other cuts we have mentioned, they have a unique appeal that many find very alluring.

Of all the diamond cuts, the baguette has the least amount of sparkle. Though its long rectangular shape and step cut facets give it an unusual and alluring appearance, it has far fewer facets than other cuts (an average of 14). Baguettes are normally used as accent stones so the center stone supplies the pop. Read Our Complete Guide to Diamond Shapes & Cuts for more information.

By now, it's clear that round cut diamonds are the favorite for light performance fanatics. Their simplicity, sophistication, and sparkle make for timeless engagement rings and wedding bands. But while a round cut’s many facets and perfect symmetry play a large part in its potential to light up a room, there are other factors to consider when choosing the right diamond.

Clarity characteristics of a diamond can also impact the sparkle. In the upper clarity grades such as VS and above this is rarely a problem. But in the lower grades, particularly SI1 and below, certain inclusions can block or scatter light leaving the diamond looking somewhat dull. For more information on this please see our article on cloudy diamonds.

This is where it is very important to review the seller's reputation and make sure they have the expertise and trust factor to protect you from serious issues that may not be obvious to the untrained eye or even from the lab report. 

If you can, review a diamond’s light performance in person or ensure a seller can supply light performance imaging and/or HD video. We provide diamond imaging and light performance images on all in house diamonds.

The more understanding you can gain over brilliance and craftsmanship, the better you’ll be able to determine how the cut reacts to different lighting environments. Some diamonds have more luster than others and the human eye is great at determining which perform better than others.

Another factor to consider which can sometimes affect a diamond’s sparkle and scintillation is fluorescence. A significant number of diamonds glow (usually blue) when exposed to strong UV light sources such as direct sunlight. In some cases this can cause a diamond to look slightly milky in those lighting environments. New studies by GIA show that strong and very strong fluorescence causes a reduction in contrast which may account for this phenomenon. Fluorescence can also react with certain clarity characteristics such as twinning and graining to cause a loss of brilliance. Fluorescence levels of medium, faint, or negligible have no discernible effect on appearance.

Choosing a setting to complement your diamond is an important part of the overall process. Designers such as Tacori, Verragio, Simon G, and A. Jaffe provide a full spectrum of styles all crafted with impeccable workmanship.

Designer settings are steeped in artistry and often feature signature styles that make them iconic and unique to their creator.

As specialists in Ideal round and princess cut diamonds, we’re no strangers to sparkle. We offer precision-cut loose diamonds that exceed industry standards and have a variety of valuable added benefits for our customers. From free worldwide shipping of diamonds instantly available in our inventory to our ever-popular 100% Lifetime Trade-Up Benefit, we believe you shouldn’t have to compromise when buying diamonds.

For your important purchase get the perfect cut, setting, and comprehensive benefit and assurance package from a trusted and socially responsible specialist.