A diamond’s brilliance doesn’t just happen—it’s engineered. Facets are the flat, polished surfaces on a diamond, and they play a huge role in how light reflects and refracts.
The most popular cut, the round brilliant, typically has 57 or 58 facets. Each one is strategically placed to maximize light return. When a diamond is well-cut, light enters through the top, reflects off the internal surfaces, and exits back through the top—creating that signature sparkle.
Poorly cut diamonds, even if they’re large or high in clarity, can look dull. That’s why experts at R&J Jewelry and Loan always emphasize cut quality just as much as size.
Diamond Clarity: What You Can (and Can’t) See
Clarity refers to the presence of internal inclusions or external blemishes. These are natural characteristics formed during the diamond’s creation deep within the earth.
Clarity is graded on a scale from Flawless (no inclusions visible under magnification) down to Included (visible imperfections). But here’s what many retail stores won’t tell you:
Most inclusions are invisible to the naked eye.
That means you can often choose a slightly lower clarity grade and save significantly—without sacrificing appearance. This is one of the smartest ways to stretch your budget, and it’s something the team at R&J walks customers through every day.
What Really Determines Diamond Value?
Diamond value is based on the “4 Cs”:
- Cut – Impacts brilliance more than anything else
- Color – The less color, the higher the value
- Clarity – Fewer inclusions typically mean higher prices
- Carat Weight – Size matters, but it’s not everything
What surprises many buyers is that these factors don’t work independently—they interact. A slightly smaller diamond with an excellent cut can outshine a larger one with poor proportions.
This is where expertise matters. At R&J Jewelry and Loan, diamonds are evaluated holistically, not just by a single number on a certificate.
