Crystal shape is an important factor in evaluating rough diamonds because it...

Crystal shape is an important factor in evaluating rough diamonds because it...

• A. It determines color
• B. It affects fluorescence
• C. It affects the weight retained after cutting
• D. It indicates clarity

Answer: (C)

Crystal shape determines how efficiently a rough diamond can be turned into finished gems, because the crystal’s form sets how much material must be removed during faceting. When the habit is favorable, you can orient the stone to maximize yield, aligning cuts with natural planes to minimize waste and keep more carat weight in the final gem. If the crystal has irregular or awkward shapes, more material has to be trimmed away to achieve the desired proportions and symmetry, leading to a greater loss of weight. That is why weight retained after cutting is the best way to describe why crystal shape matters in rough-diamond evaluation. Color, fluorescence, and clarity are influenced by impurities and internal features rather than the crystal’s overall shape.

Crystal shape determines how efficiently a rough diamond can be turned into finished gems, because the crystal’s form sets how much material must be removed during faceting. When the habit is favorable, you can orient the stone to maximize yield, aligning cuts with natural planes to minimize waste and keep more carat weight in the final gem. If the crystal has irregular or awkward shapes, more material has to be trimmed away to achieve the desired proportions and symmetry, leading to a greater loss of weight. That is why weight retained after cutting is the best way to describe why crystal shape matters in rough-diamond evaluation. Color, fluorescence, and clarity are influenced by impurities and internal features rather than the crystal’s overall shape.