What Is a Diamond Bottom?
Key Takeaways
- Diamond Culet is the point at the bottom tip of a diamond, where the diamond’s facet edges converge. Perhaps many people have never heard of this term, or may know it but...
Diamond Culet is the point at the bottom tip of a diamond, where the diamond’s facet edges converge. Perhaps many people have never heard of this term, or may know it but still do not fully understand it. So let’s learn more clearly about this concept in the article below.
What is Diamond Culet?
What is Diamond Culet?
Diamond Culet is the pointed tip at the very bottom of a diamond’s pavilion, where the facets meet. The culet can be a facet or a very small point. The culet helps protect the diamond from damage or chipping during use.
When the diamond’s facet edges do not meet at a single point, the Culet will be rough or polished. At that point, the total number of facets on the diamond will increase.
For example: a diamond without a Culet has 58 facets, while a diamond with a culet has 57 facets.
Diamond Culet size standards
Most diamonds have a back facet size determined by GIA (Gemological Institute of America). The standard Diamond Culet size grades are as follows: None, Very Small, Small, Medium, Slightly Large, Large, Very Large, and Extremely Large.
With sizes None, Very Small, or Medium, the back facet of the diamond cannot be seen with the naked eye. This back facet does not affect the appearance of a diamond.
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Diamond Culet size standards
However, if the Diamond Culet size is graded as Slightly Large, Large, or Extremely Large, light may pass through it. Light will pass straight from the crown tip through the back facet. As a result, the diamond’s brilliance will be reduced.
The size of the diamond’s back facet can also be expressed as a percentage of the diamond’s diameter. It is measured from about 1.5% to 15%.
Below are the standard ratings that can be applied as a description of the diamond:
- None (pointed), Very Small, Small: Ideal; care is needed when setting the stone
- Medium: Very good; protected against chipping but not visually ideal
- Slightly Large, Large: May affect the diamond’s appearance
- Very Large: Usually will affect the diamond’s appearance
- Extremely Large: Clearly visible and will greatly affect the diamond’s appearance
What is the function of Diamond Culet?
Diamond Culet was commonly used in Old European Cut and Old Miner’s Cut diamonds a century ago. However, today, diamonds with large standard sizes are not favored. Because when viewed from above, it can be seen and affects the diamond’s aesthetics as mentioned above.
Large and extremely large back facet standards allow light to escape through the bottom and make the cube appear like a dark circle. Therefore, a diamond with a small or medium Culet is always desired by jewelers as well as users. Because when light passes through, it only looks like a small point stopping there, and the diamond’s brilliance remains as perfect as possible.
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The sharper the diamond’s back facet, the lower the risk of chipping or damage. Therefore, some diamond cutters intentionally cut a small facet to minimize the risk of chipping.
Above is detailed information about Diamond Culet for you. Hopefully, you now clearly understand this term and also know what the standard for a diamond’s back facet is like. Then you will know how to choose the most beautiful diamond and what size standard it should have. Because the size of the diamond bottom tip affects a diamond’s brilliance and aesthetics.
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