The Star Facets (5.41)
Like the upper and lower halves, the star facets allow a further multitude of light path directions, creating more brilliance.
The cutter generally polishes the star facets last on the brilliant cut diamonds. It is almost like playing “connect the dots” because if the stone has been properly cut these facets will fall right into place. If the cutter takes his time, he can polish all of the stars the same size into the table, creating a perfect octagon shape. Stars are very important because they are so very viewable on the top of the diamond. If the stars are different shapes they will not for form a perfect octagon or perfect kite shape mains, therefore affecting the final symmetry grade of the finished diamond. Often the cutter will smash the stars into one another, shrinking the table unnecessarily and blunting what should be sharp, clean, triangular points. Cutting off-grain (not perpendicular) creates frayed facet edges around the table, which are easily recognized under 10x.♦
