WHAT IS TABLE AND DEPTH ON A DIAMOND? 


When purchasing a diamond, table and depth are two of the most crucial factors to consider. But what do they really mean? Don't worry; we've got your back! Continue reading to learn everything there is to know about a diamond's table and depth.



WHAT IS DEPTH IN A DIAMOND?


The most important factor in producing a brilliant diamond is the diamond cut. Contrary to common opinion, a diamond's cut relates to its proportions, symmetry, and polish rather than its shape (such as round, oval, or pear). The three major characteristics of a diamond that determine its appearance are brilliance (the intensity of light reflected and refracted), fire (the distribution of light into flashes of visible color), and scintillation (flashes of light and dark, or sparkle, when you move a diamond). 



CUTTING A DIAMOND


Cutters must achieve a balance between the best possible cut (i.e., appearance) and the biggest possible yield when polishing a rough diamond (i.e., retaining maximum carat weight). Because many clients prefer a larger, fair-cut cut diamond over a slightly smaller, well-cut diamond, the cutter is usually forced to sacrifice appearance for weight.



HOW TO CALCULATE DEPTH PERCENTAGE OF A DIAMOND?


The diamond depth greatly influences a diamond's cut. The height of a diamond, measured in millimeters from the culet (bottom tip) to the table (flat, top surface), is its depth.


There are often two measurements of diamond depth on a grading report. First, the actual depth of the diamond is expressed in millimeters. The second is the diamond depth percentage, which shows how deep a diamond is compared to how wide it is. One can determine the diamond depth percentage by dividing the total depth by the average diameter and multiplying the result by 100.



LIGHT AND DEPTH


How much light is reflected back up to the observer's eye after entering a diamond depends on the diamond's depth.If the depth of the diamond is too shallow, the light enters the diamond through the pavilion facet at a low angle and exits through the bottom of the diamond. If the diamond is too deep, the light entering it bounces off the first pavilion facet but hits the second pavilion at a too-low angle, causing it to refract and allowing it to escape through the bottom of the diamond.


A diamond with an ideal diamond depth will allow the light to strike each pavilion facet at an angle that allows most of the light to reflect back to the top.



WHAT IS THE TABLE OF A DIAMOND?


The flat diamond facet visible when the stone is face up is referred to as the diamond table. The diamond table, the biggest facet, is crucial in producing the diamond's brilliance by diffusing, refracting incoming light rays, and permitting reflected light rays to reach the viewer's eye.



WRAPPING UP


Depth and table on a diamond are two of the most important factors when it comes to how the diamond looks. First, the diamond depth should be neither too shallow nor too deep so the light can enter and reflect back up to the observer's eye. The table of the diamond is also necessary to produce a diamond's brilliance by diffracting incoming light rays. If a diamond is cut correctly, with the right table and depth, it will truly shine.