Choosing the wrong diamond table can dramatically change both the beauty and value of your Diamond. But it is a mistake that most buyers make unknowingly. Much ado is made about a diamond’s color, clarity and carat weight — but neglecting the table (the flat top facet of the diamond) could prove to be an expensive oversight.
The diamond table is integral to how the stone interacts with light and affects its sparkle, fire and brilliance. Poorly Proportioned Table is what can make even a quality diamond look dull and lifeless.
So, how do you keep from falling into this common trap? Learning the secrets of diamond table can help you make a purchase with assurance and it means that the beauty as well as value of your diamonds becomes doubled.
In this article, we dig up everything of which you should be aware for the best placement percentages and simultaneously expose common buyer mistakes. Whether you are on the hunt for an engagement ring or considering a more lavish piece, these diamond table tricks will keep you far away from any catastrophe choice and guarantee your stone shines out at its best.
- What Is a Diamond Table?
- Why Diamond Table Size Matters
- What Is the Ideal Table Size for a Diamond?
- Ideal Diamond Table Percentages
- The Relationship Between Diamond Depth and Table
- Avoiding Common Diamond Table Mistakes
- Ideal Table and Depth Percentages by Diamond Shape (Quick Reference Table)
- Quick Tips for Choosing the Perfect Diamond Table
- FAQ
What Is a Diamond Table?
The table of a diamond is its largest, flat facet that can easily be seen from the top. This part of the diamond is truly important, as it directly impacts how a buy looks and performs. Choosing between a round brilliant, princess or cushion cut diamond, the table proportions could determine how breathtaking your precious diamond is.
The perfect table percentage changes depending on the shape of a diamond. A table size in the range of 54%-57% works best for round cut diamond as an example. For a princess cut, on the other hand, you should expect to see 69% – 75%. The right table proportion is crucial to making sure that your diamond has the ultimate brilliance from all types of lighting.
The Role of the Table in Diamond Brilliance
- The diamond table is the flat, topmost facet.
- It directly affects how light enters and reflects, influencing the stone’s sparkle and fire.
- A key feature that impacts the diamond’s overall cut grade.
- For round diamonds, an ideal table range is between 54% and 57% of the diamond’s width.
- For princess cuts, an excellent table size falls between 69% and 75%.
The table is the open space on top of a diamond that allows light to enter which in turn refracts and diverts this light creating one scintillating sparkle purchasers expect. The best-cut diamonds will still fail to exhibit their the light performance without a well-proportioned table.
Consider this diamond from James Allen as an example. It’s one of the least desirable options you can find. The depth and table measurements are significantly outside the acceptable range for a quality round diamond. However, if this were a cushion cut diamond, those same numbers would actually be quite impressive.
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Why Diamond Table Size Matters
Diamond table size, probably more than any other checklist item impacts the appearance of a diamond. In addition to benefitting from more light coming in, a wider table extends the amount of this extra light that then gets bounced around and spread out across each facet resulting in those hidden sparks we know diamonds for.
To explain this, let us take two diamonds – One with a 55% table and another one whose table size is 59%. The two table sizes may sound similar but the difference in amount of light a diamond reflects and how it performs with different lighting is rather large. Choosing the correct table size is important to make sure your diamond catches and refracts light in the shiniest possible way.
What Is the Ideal Table Size for a Diamond?
In case of diamond brilliance, bigger is not always better. The Diamond table provides the optimal extent of reflection of the light rays upon the stone. As a part of the diamond grading system, the table size is represented as a percentage and is determined by comparing the width of the table to the entire width of the stone.
To be more precise, Diamond table percentage represents how significant the top facet is in terms of the stone’s total diameter. With a larger table percentage, more light enters the diamond but, if it is too large, the stone can lose the ability to refract the light in a manner that will make the crown really sparkling. Thus, the table of a diamond is also graded from poor to excellent.
Good diamond table percentage is what allows the maximum amount of light to enter the diamond and create that unforgettable flash. In fact, excellent table grade diamonds reflect light greatly. On the other hand, in case of a poor table, the diamond will most probably fail to impress, as its ability to reflect light will be poor. As a result, the stone can look dull or less lively.
For a round cut diamond, an ideal table range is between 54% and 57%, as seen in this stunning 1.30-carat round cut from James Allen with a table percentage of 57%. A very good cut can have a table ranging from 52% to 53% or between 58% and 60%.
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Ideal Diamond Table Percentages
Selecting the proper table percentage is vital to strike that perfect balance between light and brilliance in a diamond. We have provided a list with the recommended ranges of table sizes for the most popular shapes. However, memorizing numbers does not make someone a diamond expert. Note that these are ranges alone and that diamond creation is much more complex than mere numbers.
- Round Cut Diamonds: An excellent table range is between 54% and 57%. A very good cut can have a table percentage of 52% to 53% or 58% to 60%.
- Princess Cut Diamonds: The ideal table occupies 69% to 75% of the diamond’s width. For instance, a remarkable 0.90-carat ideal princess cut diamond from Blue Nile features a table of 71%. A very good cut can range from 56% to 67% or 75% to 76%.
- Cushion Cut Diamonds: An ideal table takes up 61% to 68% of the diamond’s width, like this beautiful 1.01-carat diamond from James Allen. A very good cut can have a table percentage of 58% to 60% or 69% to 70%.
- Asscher Cut or Emerald Cut Diamonds: The ideal table should be 60% to 68% of the diamond’s width. For example, a striking 0.90-carat emerald cut features a table of 66% from Blue Nile.
- Oval Cut Diamonds: An ideal table falls between 53% and 63%.
- Pear Shape Diamonds: The ideal table size is between 53% and 65%.
- Radiant Cut Diamonds: An ideal table size ranges from 61% to 69%.
- Heart Shape Diamonds: Look for an ideal table between 56% and 62% of the diamond’s total width.
- Marquise Diamonds: An ideal table occupies 53% to 63% of the diamond’s width.
Exceeding the upper limits of the diamond sizes can ruin its overall appearance. Sometimes too a wide table does not allow light to disperse well and even the most beautiful jewels can look less stunning. Thus, one can see that a larger table does not make a better-looking diamond.
To produce a beautiful diamond with classic beauty, fire and brilliancy, it is recommended to use the above table size percentages.
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The Relationship Between Diamond Depth and Table
How Depth Affects Light Reflection
The table size and depth of a diamond are vital features, which determine the way light will travel within the gem. Primarily, the depth of a stone is essential in the determination of the proportion by which light enters a diamond, reflects beneath the table facets and into the observer’s eyes.
Thus, when a diamond experiences a well-calibrated proportion of the table size and depth, it will exhibit a perfect balance between two dimensions. In fact, depth and table size proportion feature in one of the critical aspects of determining symmetry and proportion of a stone.
They should work in harmony, and provide an appropriate cut, such that the lights that enters the precious stone is symmetrical and balanced in the manner it is ultimately reflected into the eyes of the observer through the pavilion.
Balance Between Table Size and Depth
For maximum brilliance, it is essential to balance the size of the table and the depth of the Diamond. If the table is too large, too much light will enter the stone and will not all be reflected off the pavilion faces back through the crown.
If the diamond, on the other hand, is too deep, the light will be lost out the bottom, making the diamond seem dull. The right balance allows for the correct refraction and dispersion of light through the sides of the diamond, creating beautiful and brilliant appearance.
If the buyers know this information they can make the right decisions, which will allow the chosen stone to display the maximum light performance.
Avoiding Common Diamond Table Mistakes
Mistake 1: Overvaluing a Large Table
- It is not the larger table, the more brilliant. While it might seem like a larger table will mean a bigger and more impressive diamond, this isn’t always the case. In fact, a table that is too large can actually get in the way of light reflection, and therefore diminish the diamond’s ability to sparkle.
- The table needs the right depth too. When it comes to achieving the perfect balance of brilliance and size, a big key is finding the right proportions of table size to depth.
Mistake 2: Ignoring Table in Favor of Color and Clarity
Only focusing on the 4 C’s without taking table size into account can result in lackluster diamonds. Oftentimes, many buyers concentrate on the color and clarity of diamonds, and disregard the pros of the table. Prioritizing table size alone matters in making a diamond appear brighter if that is what you want.
Make sure that the table size is prioritized when you choose a diamond, and find an optimal dimension to let the diamond reflect the most light. It is all about ensuring that you have a cohesive 4 C’s that result in a diamond that is more apt to owning and more beautiful.
Ideal Table and Depth Percentages by Diamond Shape (Quick Reference Table)
Since depth and table significantly influence a diamond’s appearance, brilliance, fire, and overall value, they are among the most critical factors to consider when shopping for diamond jewelry.
| Diamond Shape | Recommended Table Percentage | Ideal Depth Range |
|---|---|---|
| Round Brilliant | 54% to 57% | 59% to 62.6% |
| Princess Cut | 69% to 75% | 68% to 74% |
| Cushion Cut | Less than 68% | 61% to 68% |
| Emerald Cut | 60% to 68% | 61% to 68% |
| Asscher Cut | 60% to 68% | 61% to 68% |
| Oval Cut | 53% to 63% | Below 68% |
| Pear Shape | 53% to 65% | Less than 68% |
| Radiant Cut | 61% to 69% | Under 67% |
| Heart Shape | 56% to 62% | 56% to 62% |
| Marquise Cut | 53% to 63% | 58% to 62% |
Quick Tips for Choosing the Perfect Diamond Table
To help you make a choice that will make your diamond brighter and more expensive, we offer you valuable information on how to select the perfect diamond table.
Know the Shape You’re Buying
It’s important to note that various shapes have their own ideal table sizes that will perfectly compliment each stone. Knowing this range will allow you to immediately eliminate the inappropriate stones from consideration.
Point in case, a round cut diamond’s ideal table would be between 54% and 57%. Meanwhile, princess cut diamonds prefer much wider tables, about 69%-75%. With this information in mind, you will be able to find your ideal stone much easier.
Don’t Be Seduced by A Big Table
Indeed, a diamond with a big table size might attract more gazes than one which has a smaller table. However, it is important to note that bigger does not always means better. A wide table can prevent the dispersion of light, making your diamond less bright.
Balance is key here – ensure that a table is in accordance with the diamond’s cut, and you will be able to see a bright sparkle in a stone.
Check the Cut Grade First
Whatever size of the diamond you choose, be sure the decision still largely depends on the cut grade which determines the overall shine of the stone. The cut grade is created according to the table as well as the depth measurements, which directly affect the ability of the diamond to reflect and refract light.
Overall, a diamond with an excellent cut will ensure that your stone will always look its brightest.
FAQ
Q. What is the ideal table percentage for different diamond shapes?
The ideal table percentage varies by shape. For example:
- Round cut: 54% – 57%
- Princess cut: 69% – 75%
- Cushion cut: 61% – 68%
- Emerald cut: 60% – 68% Knowing the ideal ranges helps ensure your diamond maximizes its brilliance.
Q. How does the table size affect a diamond’s brilliance?
The size of a table is important as far as the stone’s ability to reflect and allow light to enter is concerned. If you have a well-proportionate table, light will disperse better. So, in other words, a too large table may result in lower fire and depth.
Q. Can I prioritize table size over color and clarity when choosing a diamond?
Yes, it is true that while color and clarity are significant factors of a diamond, emphasizing the size of the table might add to the overall appearance more. If a diamond is cut expertly, and it has an ideal table, the stone appears more brilliant, bright, and captivating even if the ratings of color or clarity are not too high.
Q. What common mistakes should I avoid when choosing a diamond?
Avoid these common mistakes:
- Overvaluing a larger table, which may not always translate to more brilliance.
- Ignoring the table size in favor of focusing solely on color and clarity.
- Neglecting to check the diamond’s cut grade, as it directly affects the stone’s appearance.
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