Diamond Anatomy

Each diamond is unique but when it’s cut and polished, diamonds hold certain characteristics, referred as diamond anatomy. Read more about the anatomy of a diamond and with the measurements that play a key role in determining its cut. The parts of a diamond are mainly divided into three groups: Crown, Girdle & Pavilion.

Table: It’s the flat top of the diamond and it is the largest facet, known as face. Diamond Table is the main place where light enters and exits the diamond.

Crown: The upper portion of the stone, between Table and Girdle is known as Crown. It contains several types of facets.  It is usually the part of the diamond which will be above the prongs settings that hold the stone in place.  Crown area is visible in Diamond along with the table.

Girdle: It’s the edge or border of the stone that forms it where the Crown area meets the Pavilion - it’s like a dividing line. The Girdle is not much noticeable and this part is faceted or smooth.

Pavilion: It the longest part of the diamond, extending from the girdle to the culet. It’s is often hidden in part under the prongs. Pavilion redirect the light that enters the diamond and send it back to the crown. It acts like the reflector. The angles inside determine the light reflection.

Culet: It is the lowest part of the diamond. The facet at the tip of a gemstone. The preferred culet is not seen with the unaided eye (graded "none" or "small"). The culet is the most prone part of a diamond is inclined to break. When set in jewelry, it is covered and unlikely to be harmed.

Depth: The height of a diamond measured from the culet to the table.

Diameter: The width of the diamond through the girdle

Facet: The smooth, flat faces on the surface of a diamond. They allow light to both enter a diamond and reflect off its surface at different angles. A round brilliant has 58 facets (or 57 if there is no culet).