What Makes Diamonds Sparkle?

When you think of a diamond, you think of a clear stone that glitters and sparkles in the light, but how does that happen? Diamonds don’t come out of the ground dazzling to the eye, it’s all about how they’re cut.

Diamonds Interact with Light

Those bright sparkles are caused by the light interacting with the various facets of the diamond. It’s not just light reflecting off the surface. Since the diamond is clear, the light actually enters the diamond and reflects off the interior facets or planes. 

The light may be reflected directly, resulting in white light, which is referred to as brightness, or it may split and come out as a rainbow, which is referred to as fire. Moving the diamond around means the light reflects at different angles and this is what gives it that famous sparkle.

As you can imagine, the cut matters quite a bit with precious stones like this. It’s a mathematical procedure to slice the diamond just right so it will reflect the most light possible. The more facets on the diamond, the more it will glint in the light. So that means if you pick a single cut diamond with just 18 or so facets, it won’t seem nearly as amazing as one that has 58 facets, like a round brilliant cut diamond.

Selecting Diamonds for Their Quality

Not all diamonds are the same, so look at the grade before buying. A diamond rated Excellent for cut will offer the best contrast of light and dark, with a nice, even pattern overall. A Good cut grade indicates the diamond is not as bright and has some darkness inside the diamond. A Poor cut diamond will look dull and unappealing. While cheaper to buy Poor diamonds, it’s always best to pay for quality.

It’s also a good idea to pick a diamond with great clarity to ensure the most sparkle possible. The less clarity in the diamond, the harder it is for the light to pass through it and reflect correctly. Overall, a diamond that truly glitters is one that is high quality.

How to Get the Best Sparkle

If you still aren’t happy with the amount of sparkle you’re getting from a single diamond, why not multiply them? Jewelry with multiple gems will have more facets and therefore more shine. 

Even the way the diamond is set in a ring or earring will affect how it shines. Look for minimal settings, preferably prongs, to avoid the setting from blocking light. You want as much light as possible getting inside the diamond so it can really show off.

When you buy a diamond, you should get what you envision. That sparkling stone that perfectly reflects the light from dozens of facets and lights up the world should be yours. It’s rare that people are happy with poorly cut or low-quality diamonds, just because it can be so obvious that they’re not high quality. 

Take the time to find the right diamond for your needs. It’s an investment that will make you happy for a lifetime.

Are you ready to invest in a quality diamond or custom engagement ring? Check out our diamond jewelry choices today.