What Can Reduce the Sparkle of your Diamond Engagement Ring?

The sparkle of a diamond is arguably the most important attribute of a diamond engagement ring. This renowned brilliance is produced by the diamond’s capturing any light that enters its crystal and then refracting and reflecting the light back from the stone and into your eye, creating a sparkle. This is the result of a diamond’s singular ability to slow down light to about half its normal speed, which means that light will not leave a diamond until it reaches a facet at close to a 90-degree angle.

The cut of a diamond engagement ring is considered to be essential for a diamond’s sparkle. If a diamond isn’t cut just right, then light will be able to escape through all the sides, which means very little light will actually make it back out through the top to create that desired sparkle. A good diamond will reflect almost all the light that enters it from its top – something which only happens when a diamond is cut correctly. The most popular diamond cut is the round brilliant cut, which is generally acknowledged to be the most effective in reflecting light entering a diamond.

However, the cut is not the only factor when it comes to the sparkle of a diamond engagement ring; clarity also plays an important part. Inclusions can absorb some of the light that enters the diamond and reduce the light that leaves a diamond, which diminishes its sparkle. The same can be said when it comes to the symmetry of a diamond. It is similarly very important that a diamond be perfectly symmetrical, with the facets on the top mirroring the facets on the bottom. If they don’t, then you will lose some of the light and sparkle. For a spectacular diamond, you shouldn’t accept any diamond with a symmetry grade below that of ‘good’. Though, of course, you can expect higher sparkle with a diamond that has an ‘ideal’ or ‘excellent’ grade.

The polish of a diamond engagement ring is also considered important as it can significantly improve a diamond’s appearance. Polish technically refers to the smoothness of the diamond’s facets, and if this isn’t done to a high enough standard, then a diamond can appear hazy or dull. Lastly, the colour of a diamond can also affect the sparkle, as the greatest sparkle is produced when a diamond is completely clear and colourless.

There are many factors that can hinder the sparkle of your diamond engagement ring; not only cut, clarity, colour and polish but also setting. It simply becomes a balancing act, because not every couple will be able to afford a diamond that offers a brilliant cut, colour, and clarity. If the sparkle of your diamond is incredibly important to you, though, it is recommended that you focus on the cut of a diamond.

Frederick Holm writes for the F&L Designer Guides, which hosts a thriving community of independent engagement ring designers in the UK. Inspired by their journey of discovery in search of a distinctive, one-of-a-kind diamond engagement ring, F&L now celebrates the works of their favourite designers and helps promote the notion of "Go Bespoke" as a more imaginative and interesting alternative to the limitations of High Street shopping.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.