What is the best Depth and Table for an Ideal Cut Diamond?

Summary:

Here is our summary of the ideal diamond depth and table percentage range within each diamond cut. Try to compare these proportions with James Allen's 3D HD video technology to see how a diamond's visual appearance change depending on its depth and table percentage:

Cut	Depth%	Table%
Round Cut	59 to 63	54 to 59
Ideal Princess Cut	64 to 73	62 to 69
Ideal Oval Cut	57 to 62	53 to 64
Ideal Radiant Cut	61 to 67	62 to 70
Ideal Cushion Cut	61 to 67	61 to 68
Ideal Emerald Cut	61 to 67	62 to 70
Ideal Asscher Cut	61 to 67	62 to 70
Ideal Marquise Cut	57 to 62	53 to 64
Ideal Pear Cut	57 to 62	53 to 64
Ideal Heart Cut	57 to 62	53 to 64

Please also check Whiteflash's AGS Ideal Cut Diamonds and see how they compare to James Allen's GIA certified diamonds based on the above table. 

Background...

Let`s start with a simple question.

Are you scared of getting ripped off—or are you confused about all the diamond choices?

Because, when you set out to shop for a loose diamond—be it for a timeless diamond gift, an engagement stacker ring, an innovative drop earring, or diamond studs, there is plenty of consideration other than just how shiny it is.

And it is easy to get confused with the choices. It is easy to waste your money on worthless jewelry.

In your pursuit of diamond jewelry, there is a smarter way to go into the market.

You need to be clear about certain diamond factors that will help you discern excellent stones from the average ones to get a great value for your money when shopping for a diamond.

When diamonds are cut, the process proceeds at a very detailed specification. The correct cut makes all the difference between the brilliant stone and a dull one.

For instance, let`s say you`re hunting for an oval cut diamond —are you certain on how it should look like?

Ideal Diamond Proportions Chart

Brush aside the appealing look and the oval shape as its name suggests.

Do you have the idea about its clarity, depth, color, or the table—or these words get you puzzled?

If they do, take it easy. This post is going to take a closer look at two factors affecting the cut—a diamond`s table and depth, and guide you through ideal tables and depth.

What is table and depth in a diamond cut?

The table and depth of a diamond are hugely significant on its value and outlook.

Unfortunately, the world has no best tables and depth for every diamond. Instead, each diamond cut has a specific range of ideal depth and table. It all depends on the type of diamond cut you`re seeking.

And this guide is going to list the world`s best depth, and table ranges for Round cut diamond, Princess cut, Cushion, Oval, Asscher, Radiant, Emerald, Pear, Marquise, and Heart shaped diamond cut, all along with tips to get you the diamond within your budget.

Why Diamond Depth and Tables are Important

Regardless of the type of diamond, you`re expecting to buy; it is easy to get distracted by the diamond`s size, color, and clarity when comparing diamond.

These elements sum up the 3 of the four Cs—color, clarity, and carat. The fourth C is Cut, a factor that `s equally important in determining the diamond value.

And two critical determinants dictate the quality of the diamond`s cut—the are depth and table.

So let`s dig a little deeper into what depth and table are as well as what you should be looking for when comparing diamond.

What`s the table of a Diamond?

When you look at several diamonds side by side, you`ll notice they usually have one major feature in common—a flat surface that resembles an actual tabletop.

This segment is what is known as the table of a diamond.

Of the 58 facets of the surface of the round diamond, the table is the largest and the topmost. And as the uppermost facet, the table is responsible for allowing light into the diamond, refracts and reflects it to the other facets on the sides and top, to generate the brilliant appearance of the diamond.

And as the largest diamond`s facet, the table size is a critical feature in determining the appearance of any diamond.

What is the ideal Table Size for a Diamond?

While it`s essential for a diamond `s table to be large enough to allow maximum light into the diamond, a bigger table doesn`t always mean a more brilliant stone.

An apt table requires a balance. It demands to be just sizeable enough to permit maximum light into the diamond, but not extra-huge such that it limits light refraction to the diamond`s crown.

And the size of the diamond table isn`t expressed in physical dimensions. Preferably, it is expressed as a percentage of the width of the table to the width of the entire diamond.

To ascertain the greatness of a diamond, examine the table percentage. The table size alone won`t tell all you need to know.

Like all the other features of the diamond`s quality, the quality of table ranges from excellent, very good, good, fair, to poor, depending on the quality of its table.

So let`s look for ideal tables for different cuts of diamond.

What is the Right Table?

Ideal Table for Round cut Diamond

When you`re seeking round cut diamond, search for a table whose range is 54% -60% of the diamond`s entire width. That`s an excellent cut.

Or look for 52% - 53 % or 58% - 60% for a very good cut.

Ideal Table for Princess Cut

When hunting a Princess cut diamond, search for a table whose range is 67% - 72% of the width of the diamond. That`s an excellent cut. Or search for 56%-66/73%-75% for a very good cut.

Ideal Table for Emerald Cut Diamond

When you`re after an Emerald cut, hunt for a table whose range is 61% - 69% percent of the entire width of the diamond—an excellent cut. Or a table that ranges between 57% to 60%/70% - 72% for a very good cut.

Ideal Table for a Marquise Diamond Cut

When hunting for a marquise diamond, search for a table whose table range is 53% - 63% of the width of the diamond, (an excellent cut).

Or you can consider a table range of 52%/64% to 65% (a very good cut).

Ideal Table for Cushion Cut Diamond

When searching for a cushion cut diamond, search for a table whose range is 61% to 67.9% of the width of the diamond. That`s an excellent cut.

Or check out for 58% to 60%/68% to 70% for a very good cut.

Ideal Table for Oval Cut Diamond

If you`re after an oval cut diamond, hunt for a table range of 53-63% of the width of the diamond—an excellent cut.

Or a very good cut that ranges from 52% or 64-65%.

Ideal Table for Asscher Cut Diamond

For Asscher cut diamond, the excellent cut ranges between 60% to68% of the width of the diamond for an excellent cut and 70-72% for a very good cut.

Ideal Table for Radiant Cut Diamond

The ideal table for Radiant cut is 61-69% for the maximum possible quality—an excellent cut.

Or you can choose a table of 57-60% or 70-72% for the very good cut quality.

Ideal Table for Pear Cut Diamond

When you`re hunting for a Pear cut diamond, search for a table whose range is 53-63% of the width of the diamond. That`s an excellent cut.

Alternatively, select a table ranging between 64% - 65% for very good cut quality.

Ideal Table for Heart Shape Diamond

The ideal dimension for the table of heart diamond is 53-63% for the excellent quality, or 52% or 64%-65% for very good quality.

Any table range outside the above adversely affects the diamond`s appearance. Outside these ranges, the table quality declines to Good, Fair, and Poor.

An excessively wide table minimizes light dispersion all through the diamond. This takes away the fire of even an attractive stone.

What`s the Depth of a Diamond?

When it comes to exceptional diamonds, proportion talks a lot. And the depth of a diamond is another critical factor that contributes to attaining the maximum brilliance of optical balance.

Depth is the measurement of the diamond`s length from the table to the culet at its base—it is its measurement from top to bottom.

To get the diamond depth, divide the total height of the diamond by its entire width, and express it as a percentage.

Besides measuring depth as a percentage, most grading reports also express the diamond`s depth in millimeters.

Like the diamond`s table, depth hugely impacts the diamond`s appearance. A short diamond with a small depth lets nearly all light to pass over from top to bottom, without allowing enough refraction, a characteristic that minimizes the brilliance and the fire when the diamond exposed to light.

Similarly, when the diamond is too deep, its brilliance is affected. Because of different weight distribution, a diamond that has an excessively long depth appears tinnier and thinner when compared to a shorter diamond with similar carat weight.

What`s the Ideal Diamond depth?

Like in diamond`s table, no depth suits every type of a diamond. Instead, it all depends on the diamond cut you`re hunting for.

Again, as in diamond`s table, the depth for each diamond cut is graded from excellent, very good, good, fair, to poor.

Let`s check out for the best depths for different diamond cuts.

Ideal Depth for Round Diamond

When you`re seeking a Round diamond, check out for a depth range of 59% to 62%. (excellent depth range)

Alternatively, you can look for a depth range of 58% to 58.9% or 63.4 to 63.5%.

Ideal Depth for Princess Cut Diamond

When hunting for a princess cut diamond, search for a depth range of 64%-74%. (excellent depth range)

Any range apart from this affects its brilliance.

Ideal Depth for Emerald Cut Diamond

When in a search for an Emerald cut, look for depth range 61 to 67%. (excellent depth range).

As another option, look for a depth range of 59% and 60.9% or 67.1% and 70%. (very good depth).

Ideal Depth for Marquise Cut Diamond

When hunting for Marquise cut, search for a depth range of 58% -62%. (excellent depth range).

Alternatively, you can choose the depth ranges of 56% -57.9% or 62.1% or 60% - 66%. (very good depth).

Ideal Depth for Cushion Cut Diamond

If you`re after cushion diamond, search for a depth range of 61%-67%, (excellent depth range).

As an alternative, search for a depth range of 58% to 60.9% or 67.1% to 70%. (Very good Depth range)

Ideal Depth for Oval Cut Diamond

When searching for an oval diamond, go for the range of 58-62 %. (excellent depth range). Alternatively, you can search for a depth of 56-57.9 or 62.1-66%. (Very good quality)

Ideal Depth for Asscher Cut Diamond

For Asscher cut, the excellent depth quality range is 61% to 67% of the total width of the diamond. The very good quality depth ranges between 59%-60.9% or 67.1%-70%.

Ideal Depth for Radiant Cut Diamond

When hunting for a Radiant cut, the excellent depth range is 61%-67% of the total width of the diamond.

The very good depth quality range is 59%-60.9% or 67.1% -70% of the total with of the diamond.

Ideal Depth for Pear Cut Diamond

For a Pear cut diamond, the excellent cut range is 58% -62 % of the total width of the diamond, and 56% - 58%-62% - 66% for a very good cut.

Ideal Depth for Heart Shape

For heart cut diamond, the excellent cut range is 58-62% of the total width of the diamond and 56-57.9% or 62.1 -66 % for a very good cut.

Outside this range, the depth adversely affects the diamond`s appearance. A too-short depth and the sparkle of the diamond reduces. Too long depth, and the diamond look too thin.

What Truly Matters When Choosing Diamond

It is a jungle out there. And the diamond world is not different. You need to be certain before you set out to the market.

Depth and table are hugely valuable and says a lot about the diamond`s appearance, brilliance, fire, and value. When setting out to shop for diamond jewelry, keep knowledge of table and depth in mind as they`re essential feature od any diamond.

To get most out of your diamond, you buy, use the recommended depth and table percentage to separate diamonds that are not cut well. The recommended depth and table help you to avoid low-quality stones during your search.

However, keep in mind that even though depth and table are inevitably vital, they aren`t the only factors to pay attention to. They only scratch the surface of a diamond grading and ultimate market value.

Keep a keen eye on the other three Cs too—the color, clarity, and carat to ease the decision`-making process when shopping for diamonds.