The cut of a diamond is the only factor that man can control, and it is unquestionably the single most important factor in determining the beauty and value of a diamond. What's unique about a diamond is how it plays with light, creating sparkle, fire and brilliance. It's all about light: how much is taken in, how it's refracted around inside and how much is reflected back to the eye of the beholder. The more perfect the cut, the more light a diamond captures, the more beautiful it looks. Below are examples of the different types of cuts in the industry today and how they affect the diamond's beauty.