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Diamonds all vary tremendously from stone to stone, and as a result, the two American diamond grading authorities, GIA and AGS, allow a fair range between the bottom of one grade and the top. This can mean that two diamonds rated 'Excellent' (GIA's top rating) or 'Ideal' (AGS's equivalent rating) can be visibly different for one another. While GIA is satisfied with this state of affairs for all cuts other than the round brilliant cut, for which it offers an overall rating that takes these differences into account (so one of the diamonds in the example above would rate lower than the other, despite, on paper, being 'the same'), AGS is not so sanguine. They have introduced the 'super ideal' rating which can be applied to diamonds of all cuts, including the increasingly popular princess cut, which can be found listed in the inventory of Whiteflash diamonds.
What is an Ideal Diamond?
In order to qualify as an ideal or excellent diamond, the diamond must be of very good color and clarity, with a cut that has made the very best of an already good stone. Carat-weight for the purposes of rating can be ignored, as at this stage it is merely a marker of size. Later it will dramatically impact on the price! Color usually must be F or at a pinch G, clarity should not be lower that very slightly included, and the cut should be symmetrical and even all the way through.
So… What is Super Ideal, Then?
Super ideal diamonds take the above criteria and apply them even more rigorously. Tiny variations in symmetry are no-nos, G color stones are rejected (if such a word can be applied to what is still a very good diamond!) and inclusions must not impact on the brilliance, fire or scintillation which, in a super ideal stone is perfectly balanced and symmetrical, all light being directed out through the table (the top surface) due to the minutely mathematically precise cut which channels and directs the light reflection and refractions.
More Details about Super Ideal Diamonds
A super ideal diamond, when being examined under intense scrutiny, will have no flaw, no break in light and scintillation patterns and will be cut to such a precise mathematical model that the light is directed entirely where the cutter intends it to escape (usually out through the top of the diamond, which is called the table) and nowhere else. Ideal diamonds will often have minor flaws or errors in the cutting that impact upon the light performance, even if to so small a degree that most people will not notice them – these issues are entirely lacking in super ideal diamonds.
How Do They Make a Super Ideal Cut Diamond?
Often, super ideal cuts happen through serendipity. Invariably, the cutter would have started the process with a very good quality stone, which would allow him or her to use the maximum 'meat' of the stone, without needing to excise flaws, exclusions, fractures or inclusions. And the cutter will then have make a perfect cut, getting every one of the 58 or so facets exactly right to enhance light performance.
Should I Look for Hearts and Arrows on Super Ideal Princess Cut?
Hearts and arrows are a light reflection pattern found only on round brilliant cut diamonds, and princess cut diamonds, even if cut exquisitely, will never show that particular design. Instead, look directly down at the table of the stone, and see if you can spot a series of chevrons which form an X shape – sort of a four-pointed star. If the X is crisp and clearly visible from the outer corners to the center of the diamond, you probably have a super ideal princess cut stone. If the X is fractured, feathered, or blurred, that is a sign of a poorer cut. The bigger the princess cut stone, the more chevrons will appear, giving you a loose rule of the thumb when it comes to the carat weight of your super ideal princess cut stone!
