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The Complete Guide to the Diamond “Bow-Tie Effect”: How to Avoid Pitfalls in Fancy Cuts
When shopping for popular fancy cut diamonds, such as oval, pear, or marquise shapes, many buyers overlook a visible optical effect known as the "bow-tie effect". Without doing your homework, you could end up with a diamond that has a dark shadow across its centre, dulling its brilliance. This article fully explains what causes the bow-tie effect, and how to avoid it when shopping.
What Is the "Bow-Tie Effect"?
When light passes through certain elongated or non-round cut diamonds, the way the facet angles intersect often creates a shadow shaped like a bow-tie across the centre of the stone.
- The key factor affecting brilliance: A mild bow-tie effect is very common in fancy cuts, and can even add a sense of dimension to the stone. But if the bow-tie is too pronounced, or appears as a large, dead-black patch, it will seriously impact the diamond’s sparkle and beauty. Browse our curated fancy cut diamond collection, carefully vetted for pieces with no visible shadowing.
How to Avoid Pitfalls When Shopping
- Always check real footage, not just the certificate: When buying a fancy cut diamond, never rely on the certificate description alone. Always review a 360-degree video of the actual stone to check for excessive shadowing at its centre.
- Choose excellent polish and symmetry: Even for fancy cuts, choosing a stone with excellent polish and symmetry can meaningfully reduce the visual impact of the bow-tie effect.
Tips for Choosing the Perfect Fancy Cut Diamond
Want a unique, dazzling oval or pear cut diamond? Let our professional team carefully vet every stone for brilliance.
- Book an in-store consultation now to personally select a diamond with beautiful brilliance and no visible bow-tie effect.
- Chat with an expert on WhatsApp for a 360-degree HD video and expert assessment of a diamond you love.