Is it true that the more facets a on a diamond's surface, the more brilliance it would display?

Some diamond shapes have a distinct number of facets, but it seems to me that the more facets a diamond has, the more brilliant it is. That is why simply rectangular diamond cuts are much less sparkly than the more complex round cut, with its 58 facets. I'm not a physics experts, but I assume that the more subtleties (I mean small facets which enlarge a diamond's total surface area) added on a diamonds surface, would induce light entrance and return. First of all I want to know whether I'm correct, and secondly, if more facets indeed mean more sparkle, why aren't more diamonds of many facets, for example diamonds of 100-200 facets produced? Is it a matter of a diamond cutting time, which limits the production of such diamond, or is there another reason?

Answers (1 - 4 of 4)

Diamond Expert September 17, 2010

That statement is false. It’s the angle and the polish that give you more brilliance.

StaceyO August 23, 2010

The reason that diamonds of 200 facets aren't polished is that more facets doesn't mean more sparkle! Why would you assume that?! Is there any problem with the sparkle of an ideal cut round diamond? After all it "only" has 57-58 facets. Now seriously, in some regions of a diamonds, on some certain facets it is worthwhile to polish additional facets, but that's not always the case. The effect of diamond cut on sparkle has (and still is) been studied for decades and diamond production companies have came up with diamond shapes that besides looking nice also maximize sparkle. If cutting a 200 facet diamond could have created a diamond of exceptional sparkle you can be certain that such a diamond would have been produced long ago. In some case the extra facets induce sparkle and in some they actually make light bounce back immediately, preventing a diamond from displaying brilliance.

BobR August 17, 2010

Maybe one day a new cut of 100+ facets will be invented. Maybe in very big diamonds a new special diamond shape with many facets could actually display a lot of sparkle. Let's wait and see.

JoeT August 16, 2010

Some diamond jewelry stores occasionally offer a diamond of "extra facets", for example a round diamond of 60 facets. The vendor would try to convince you that such a diamond is truly unique and has an edge over the normal, less attractive 57 facets round diamond. Usually a diamond with extra facets is a diamond that jewelry stores most want to get rid off, and when they see the opportunity to fool an uneducated customer they won't think twice. Remember that diamond cuts have been invented in order to achieve excellence proportions and I doubt if any local jewelry "knows better".