Diamond Light Return - Is maximization really the answer?

It may be bit counterintuitive but the answer is “not really”! On the one hand it seems obvious that the more light returning to the eye, the more eye-catching and impressive a diamond would be. But gem diamonds are complicated little wonders, and what makes them truly dazzling is a combination of performance traits. Total light return is one factor and is the engine of diamond performance. A diamond must have sufficient brightness to drive the other beauty aspects – fire and scintillation.

In the real world the most beautiful diamonds have the optimal combination of light return, dispersion and scintillation. Dispersion is the breaking up of diamond light into its spectral components through refraction. This is the property commonly referred to as fire. Scintillation is the dynamic property commonly known as sparkle. A diamond with excellent brightness (also referred to as brilliance), that displays plenty of fire, and sparkles like it is alive, is the kind of diamond connoisseurs and brides everywhere want to own.

The complication exists in the fact that diamonds cut to maximize brightness will often suffer deficiencies in fire or scintillation. To some extent they are inversely proportional properties. Think of it like this; a flat mirror can be angled in such a way as to be blinding- one big intense beam of light in your eye. No sparkle, no dispersion, just a reflection of near 100% light- maximization of light return. It’s impressive for sure, but lacks character, interest, action.

Ideal and Super Ideal Diamonds like the A CUT ABOVE® achieve a perfect balance of diamond light performance properties that give them mesmerizing beauty. Positive contrast patterns are designed into the facet arrangement creating an “on/off” blinking effect enabling the facets to collectively send a cascade of sparkling light back to the eye with every tiny motion. If you maximize the “on” you enhance brightness but to the detriment of sparkle.

In certain lighting conditions perfectly crafted diamonds will display pronounced prismatic effects returning distinct sparks of pure blue, green, red, and yellow light back to the eye. By proportioning the diamond slightly differently (for instance enlarging the table facet) you can potentially increase brilliance, but to the detriment of fire.

It is the glorious interplay and balance of all these visual effects - not the maximization of any one - that draws you in and captivates you when admiring a truly superb gem.