April Showers Bring Diamond Sparkle: Jewelry That Shines Even on the Cloudiest Days

Article published at: Apr 28, 2025 Article author: Josh Garcia Article tag: Diamonds
April Showers Bring Diamond Sparkle: Jewelry That Shines Even on the Cloudiest Days
All The World of deBoulle

The role of cut and clarity and how it affects light refraction in diamonds.

Even under dark, overcast skies, diamonds continue to shine with their own inner fire. Just as raindrops refract light to create rainbows, diamonds act as nature’s ultimate prisms—bending and reflecting light in dazzling ways. 

Explore the science behind diamond brilliance and how cut, clarity, and light refraction work together to create the breathtaking sparkle we all love. If you want to learn more about the 4 Cs of buying a diamond, check out the 4 Cs of Buying A Diamond: Cut, Clarity, Carat, and Color.

Light and How It Interacts with Diamonds

The cut and clarity of diamonds are essential to the way light reflects from the diamond, resulting in the brilliant fire diamonds are so well known for.

Facets are small, flat, polished surfaces that are carefully cut and arranged on the surface of diamonds. These precise cuts both reflect and refract light, giving diamonds that sparkle we've all fallen in love with. Diamonds primarily feature two main types of facets: crown facets and pavilion facets.

  • Crown Facets – These facets allow light to enter the diamond. The angled surfaces are designed to capture light, and as light enters through the crown, it is bent at different angles.

  • Pavilion Facets – The role of the pavilion facets is to reflect light back through the crown. The angled surfaces are located at the bottom of the diamond, and as light hits these facets, it is redirected back up to the viewer. 

The Length and Angle of Facets and Their Impact on Light

Both the angle and the length of the facets on the diamond strongly impact how much light passes through the diamond. Different configurations play a vital role in the light performance of the stone.

Here are some examples of how the length and angle of facets influence light performance: 

  • Poor Light Reflection – A diamond with excessive depth (over 65%) and a large table (over 65%) struggles to reflect light properly, resulting in a dull appearance.

  • Average Light Reflection – A diamond with a depth of 63% and a table of 58% will still appear quite attractive but lack the brilliance of a perfectly cut diamond.

  • Great Light Reflection – A round diamond with a depth of 61.5% and a table of 56%, in conjunction with a well-proportioned crown and pavilion angles, will display the maximum amount of brilliance and reflect light perfectly, creating the ultimate sparkle.

Key Terms When Discussing Light Performance

When it comes to how facet angles and lengths affect the light performance of a diamond, some of the key terms you’ll encounter include:

  • Scintillation – Refers to the sparkle a diamond produces when it’s moved, and light reflects off the different facets. The length, depth, and angle of the facets all play a key role in how much light the diamond absorbs and reflects.

  • Brilliance - Refers to the brightness of the diamond, which is a result of the light reflected on its surface. A diamond with well-cut facet angles maximizes brilliance.

  • Fire – Refers to the dispersion of light into various colors, which creates a dazzling rainbow effect. Refraction is the most significant driving force affecting a diamond’s fire, as the light is bent and passes through different facets.

Achieving scintillation, fire, and brilliance relies on expert craftsmanship when cutting and polishing the many facets present on the surface of a diamond. Perfect cuts ensure that the diamond captures even the smallest amount of light and that light then exits the diamond in a way that maximizes visual appeal to viewers.

If you need assistance picking out the perfect piece of diamond jewelry or want to create your own custom diamond jewelry, please don’t hesitate to book an appointment with our experienced team at deBoulle Diamond & Jewelry.

Discover our stunning collection of high-end jewelry in Dallas and Houston at deBoulle Diamond & Jewelry, featuring exquisite diamond engagement rings and luxury timepieces.  Visit us in-store or explore our selection online, and don’t hesitate to contact our expert staff with any questions or to view these magnificent pieces in person.

 

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