It's the honing that gives a diamond its unique appearance - and much of its value. The diamond cutter seeks to bring out the best in each stone
THE SKILL OF a master diamond cutter adds much to the value of a stone.
'In the past, people focused on size, colour and clarity. Now they want better cuts,' said Winston Chow, deputy general manager of Chow Sang Sang Jewellery.
The quality of the cut can have a significant effect on the appearance of a diamond.
The cut affects how light entering the stone reflects back white light, or brilliance, and splits it into a rainbow of colours called fire.
'If you are buying a stone [with a lower colour grade] but very good cutting, it likely will look better than a higher colour stone with poor cutting,' Mr Chow said.
