The Tiffany Guide to Diamonds
Brilliant. Scintillating. Symbolic. There are four key factors to consider when choosing a diamond. Discover the importance of the 4Cs—cut, carat weight, color and clarity—and presence, Tiffany’s distinctive fifth quality standard. Learn what makes a Tiffany diamond so extraordinary.
Let's Get StartedCut
Cut is the most important factor. It refers to the precise positioning, shape and angle of a diamond’s facets, which together create that breathtaking brilliance. Let’s take a closer look.
Tap on a Hotspot to Learn More In profile, the diamond’s ideal proportion and individual features are easily observed.
Learn more about a diamond’s featuresGirdle
The narrow band that circumscribes the edge where crown and pavilion meet. The girdle may be polished or gently bruted.
Pavilion
The portion of the diamond below the girdle, including the culet.
Culet
A small, protective facet cut on the point of the pavilion. On some brilliant-cut diamonds, the facet is octagonal. On the keel of some step-cut diamonds, the facet is rectangular.
Tap on a Hotspot to Learn More From above, the diamond’s symmetry and precision of cut are even more visible and more astonishing.
Learn more about a diamond’s featuresTable
The large facet in the center of the crown of a polished diamond. The shape of the table varies based on a diamond’s cut. On a round brilliant-cut diamond, the table is octagonal in shape.
Crown
The upper part of a diamond, above the girdle plane.
Shape
Every Tiffany diamond is precisely cut to enhance the beauty of its shape.
Click on a shape to learn moreCushion
A cushion cut features modified brilliant-cut facets, and can have a rectangular or square shape with curved sides or rounded corners. Tiffany Legacy® is a cushion modified brilliant cut designed by Tiffany & Co. and introduced in 2004.
BROWSE CUSHION-CUT ENGAGEMENT RINGSSquare
A square diamond has 90-degree corners and is comprised of triangular facets as featured in the round brilliant cut.
BROWSE SQUARE ENGAGEMENT RINGSCushion
A cushion cut features modified brilliant-cut facets, and can have a rectangular or square shape with curved sides or rounded corners. Tiffany Legacy® is a cushion modified brilliant cut designed by Tiffany & Co. and introduced in 2004.
BROWSE CUSHION-CUT ENGAGEMENT RINGSRound Brilliant
Arguably the quintessential diamond, and certainly among the most radiant, a round brilliant cut features 57 or 58 facets, made up of kite-shaped, star and triangular facets. The girdle of this shape may be either faceted or bruted. It may or may not have a culet on the pavilion.
BROWSE ROUND BRILLIANT ENGAGEMENT RINGSPear
Also referred to as a “teardrop” shape, this brilliant-cut diamond features a pear-shaped outline with two curved sides, one rounded end and one pointed end.
BROWSE PEAR-SHAPED ENGAGEMENT RINGS
![Diamond Guide - Cut, Clarity, Carat, & Color]()
Carat Weight
“Carat” denotes the weight of a diamond. Taken by itself, carat does not determine a diamond’s value. Two diamonds of equal weight can vary widely in price. Tiffany diamonds are always cut to maximize brilliance, not carat weight. True to our higher standards, beauty trumps size every time.
Color
The ideal engagement ring is clear. Diamonds may appear colorless, but minute impurities within each stone create subtle tints of color. Each stone is color-graded to a precise scale from “D” (colorless) to “Z” (saturated). Only diamonds of color “I” (near colorless) or better are accepted by Tiffany.
Important NoteLights, please
When grading color, we use ultraviolet light to expose a diamond’s fluorescence. A stone that has strong or excessive fluorescence will have a milky appearance in natural lighting. These do not meet the Tiffany quality distinction and are not accepted by the Tiffany Gemological Laboratory.
ResetClarity
A stone is graded as flawless if, under 10-power magnification, no internal flaws (clouds, feathers, pinpoints) and no external imperfections (scratches, pits, nicks) are visible. Absolutely flawless diamonds are exceedingly rare and priced accordingly.
Presence
It all adds up to Tiffany’s exclusive fifth quality standard. “Presence” encompasses precision of cut, symmetry and polish which, collectively, profoundly influence a diamond’s brilliance, dispersion, scintillation and overall appearance.
Ready For Your Next Step?
Now that you know your round brilliant diamond from your cushion cut, the real romance starts. Use your new know-how to find the style that’s just right for your true love.
