DIAMONDS 101: THE BOW-TIE EFFECTby Lauren B Team March 27, 2020Though the GIA only provides a concrete cut grade for round brilliant cut diamonds, there are some extra facets of diamond quality to keep in mind when opting for a non-round stone. One of these characteristics is the bow-tie effect. In this post we’ll provide some clarity around common questions we receive regarding this non-measurable factor!WHAT IS THE BOW-TIE EFFECT?The bow-tie effect in diamonds is a light or dark gray to black area running across the width of the stone. This dark area is created by a reflection of your head and shoulders blocking light from entering the diamond. Because of this, the closer you look at the diamond, the more pronounced the bow-tie will be. You can view an example of a diamond with a bow-tie here: WHAT DIAMOND SHAPES FEATURE A BOW-TIE? This effect is most common in elongated fancy cut diamonds like oval, marquise, radiant, and hearts. Each of these shapes will typically ALWAYS exhibit the bow-tie effect to some degree, but in well-cut stones it should be minimal and not distracting. SHOULDN'T I AVOID DIAMONDS WITH A BOW-TIE? The assumption is yes, but stones with almost no bow-tie actually tend to look dull and often lack the faceting style people desire in a fancy cut diamond. On the other hand, you also don’t want a diamond with a bow-tie so large that it blacks out a large portion of the stone. The ideal scenario is to have a bow-tie that adds to the diamond’s fire and scintillation and helps create the characteristic facet patterns for its shape. You can view an example of an ideally cut radiant here: HOW DO I SELECT A DIAMOND THAT CONTAINS A BOW-TIE? A diamond’s bow-tie is not pictured or stated on it’s grading report. It also is challenging to rely on metrics such as symmetry grade and proportions to judge a diamond's light performance. Therefore, you really need to view the diamond in person or through a high-quality video to determine the impact of the stone’s bow-tie on its appearance. It’s also important to keep in mind that selecting a diamond comes down to personal preference. What one person finds attractive may not be to another. This is certainly the case when it comes to selecting a diamond with a bow-tie. You can always email [email protected] to arrange an in-person or remote consultation with one of our diamond experts for additional guidance. We have a large inventory of GIA certified diamonds with a variety of quality and proportions to help you find your ideal stone based on your preferences! Make Appointment Start ShoppingAbout the Lauren B Team The Lauren B team is a passionate group of jewelry experts dedicated to empowering you with the knowledge and confidence to make informed decisions. We combine our in-depth understanding of gemstones, diamonds, and precious metals with a love for timeless design to create educational content that is both informative and engaging. Through our blog posts, we strive to be your one-stop shop for all things diamonds. Whether you're looking for guidance on selecting the perfect center stone, understanding different ring styles, or trying to figure out which shape matches your zodiac sign, we've got you covered. We're here to answer your questions, dispel common myths, and guide you through the exciting world of diamonds. < Previous Post Next Post > This entry was posted in Diamonds 101 and tagged laurenb, Facets, Brilliant Cut Diamond, Brilliant Cut, cut, clarity, oval, fancy cut, pear, GIA, round brilliant cut, elongated, selecting a diamond, round brilliant, diamond shapes, diamond shape, radiant, diamond quality, ring, diamonds on March 27, 2020 by Gabby Schwarz. ← Previous Post Next Post →