What is a diamond's pavilion?
The pavilion of a diamond refers to the lower portion of the stone, which is located below the girdle (the widest part of the diamond). The pavilion typically consists of a series of angled facets that come to a point at the culet, which is the small facet at the very bottom of the diamond.
What is the pavilion's role?
The purpose of the pavilion is to reflect light back up through the diamond to the viewer's eye, which helps to maximize the stone's brilliance and fire. The angle and placement of the pavilion facets play a crucial role in determining a diamond's overall appearance, as they affect how well the stone reflects and refracts light.
Ideally, the pavilion facets should be cut at angles that allow light to enter the diamond, bounce around within the stone, and exit through the crown (the upper portion of the diamond). If the pavilion facets are cut too shallow or too deep, the light will leak out of the bottom or sides of the diamond, resulting in a less brilliant and less valuable stone.
Do all diamonds have the same pavilion?
The number and arrangement of the pavilion facets can also vary depending on the diamond cut. For example, a round brilliant cut diamond typically has 57 or 58 facets, with 24 or 25 of these located on the pavilion.
The number and size of the pavilion facets may differ in other cuts, such as the princess cut or emerald cut. Overall, the pavilion is an important component of a diamond's overall appearance and value, as it affects how well the stone reflects and refracts light.