Glossary of Diamond Terms - M - Z
Make - the proportions to which a diamond has been cut. A good make will have proportions that maximize the brilliance and fire of a diamond. A poor make will lead to a diamond that has little sparkle due to the inability of the cut to properly reflect light.
Measurement - the dimensions of a gemstone, expressed in millimeters (i.e., height, width, and depth).
Melee - diamonds that weigh less than 1/5 of a carat (0.20 ct. or 20 points).
Natural - part of the original crystal surface remaining on a finished gemstone.
Needle - a long, thin, included crystal.
Pavilion - the bottom portion of a diamond, just below the girdle.
Pinpoint - a very small inclusion, seen under 10X magnification as a very tiny dot. Pinpoints can be single or in groups.
Point - a weight measure equal to one one-hundredth of a carat. (A 0.50-carat diamond is equivalent to 50 points).
Polish - a grade given to the external finish of a stone. The polish scale ranges from poor to excellent.
Proportions - general category describing the various cut parameters of a gemstone.
Report - refers to a diamond grading document detailing unique characteristics of a diamond.
Shape - the outline of a diamond expressed as round, oval, marquise, emerald cut, etc.
Sight Holder - diamond dealer or manufacturer invited by the Central Selling Organization (CSO) to buy rough or uncut diamonds at a "sight" or inspection.
Symmetry - a grade given to the overall uniformity of a stone's cut. The scale for symmetry ranges from poor to excellent.
Surface Graining - surface indication of the crystal's structural irregularity.
Table - the large, flat, octagonal facet on the top of a diamond.
Table Percentage - the width of the table divided by the total diameter of the diamond.
Ultraviolet Light - used as a means of detecting fluorescence in gemstones.
