Here is a triple ideal cut diamond (a diamond with ideal proportions, polish & symmetry) that not only has large hot spots (in the sense of it's arrows) but also has many other tinier hot spots that exist between the arrows which boost it's scintillation.

These aspects make the diamond excel in both colored light return & scintillation.  Here are BrillianceScope results that reflect the results of the image above.  Take note of the intense beams of light reflecting off the inner arrows in light positions 2, 3, 4 & 5 and the many secondary reflections happening throughout the diamond.  Take note of light view 1 and the intense beams of light reflecting between the arrows.  These extra intense reflections (or hot spots) increase the diamonds scintillation.

Here is another Triple Ideal Cut diamond.

The primary aspects that differentiate between the 2 is one diamond has more tiny hot spots (the first diamond) whereas this second diamond LACKS hot spots between the arrows.  The distinct arrows in this diamond ensure a fiery diamond and the stone does excel in colored light return but it's lack of black (or lack of hot spots) cause the diamonds scintillation to decrease. Overall light reflection (or overall brilliancy, if you will) within the diamond is excellent. but the first diamond with it's superior amount of hot spots will be more scintillating than the second.  I would also like to point out 2 other facts.  The above comparison when made with the human eye is not one between a beautiful diamond and an ugly diamond.  BOTH ARE GORGEOUS and represent a small fraction of quality cut diamonds on the market today but one diamond has features that the other does not have.  The second point I'd like to bring out is that the facets which affect these features include facets which are rarely discussed.  Those being the length of both the star facets and also the lower girdle facets.  (More on this later.)  Here are the BrillianceScope results on the stone above.

Here's another diamond that also demonstrates the same thing principal.  I could give you hundreds more examples but 2 will have to suffice for now.  Note how this stone has very distinct arrows, beautiful internal symmetry and deep rich reds throughout the stone from under the table to the outer crown facets.  Once again a distinguishing feature in this diamond is it's lack of hot spots between the arrows.  There is a rich amount of red under the table and through the stone ensuring some excellent white light return (brilliancy) and bold distinct arrows (excellent fire or colored light return).  The lack of hot spots between the arrows and the complete elimination of them at the lower ends of the arrows affect the diamonds scintillation.  Once again... this is NOT an ugly diamond by any means and also represents a small percentage of cut quality diamonds on the market but there are diamonds that are more scintillating.

Here are the results of another diamond which has less pronounced hot spots between the arrows.

    2.  Red = Light entering the diamond from every other angle and is being reflected out of the diamond at angles close to perpendicular to the table and every other angle.  Diamonds reflecting red are like mirrors that are being positioned towards you but not directly at you.  As you observe DiamXray images, the darker the red, the more the mirrors are being aimed in your direction ... the more intense the light return is.  This light return however is not as intense as those facets that are like mirrors that are pointed directly at you as is the case with the black.  Red being reflected in the diamond is primarily responsible for *white light* return.  The lack of it usually causes a diamond to be less *brilliant*.

Red and the intensity of it directly affects (moreso than other factors) the white light return.

Here is an example of a triple ideal cut Hearts & Arrows diamond where there is blatant leakage under the table.  There is white where there should  ideally be red.

Here is another super ideal that does not have leakage under the table but the red under the table is more pink as opposed to darker red.  Pink or light red is indicative of light return being mixed with leakage.  Deeper reds are more desirable but since this diamond has other outstanding characteristics it qualifies as a justified investment and is a very beautiful stone.

Here is another good example except in this diamond the pink is even lighter.  Almost to the point of blatant leakage.  The lack of intense red under the table plus the lack of hot spots at the inner arrows cause a drastic hit in white light return.  Enough to make it fall down to medium.  What does this show you? That just because you might be getting a Hearts & Arrows cut diamond does not mean the best light performance in direct light situations.  The internal symmetry however is among the best.

    3. White = Pavilion facets that are functioning in the role of "windows" and aren't reflecting light at all.  Therefore we can look through the *windows* and observe the color beneath the diamond.

This diamond has a considerable amount of leakage to it.  Not much in the way of mirrors pointed towards our eyes or hot spots for that matter.  Regrettably this diamond represents the majority of diamonds flooding the market today.  What would you say if this was a D color VVS2 clarity? Believe it or not a J SI2 in some of the finer examples above will be more beautiful than this one.

The BrillianceScope accurately portrays once again how this relates to white and colored light return & scintillation.

In summary: If the pavilion facets are functioning as mirrors ... red and black entering should be red and black exiting.  If the facets are functioning as windows ... light passes through windows and we'd be able to see the color white behind the facets that are functioning as such.  So ... red & black shows us light return ... white reveals areas of the diamond that are leaking.  Now that we got that down let's analyze some examples.

Before we get into the typical merchandise you'll find and see on our website I'd like to familiarize you with what is commonly sold on the market place.  I go through great pains to pick and choose what it put on our "For Sale" page and most people take for granted that the kind of merchandise I carry and offer for sale is common and typical of what they'll find in most jewelry stores. THIS IS FALSE.  What I carry represents less than 1% of the goods offered on the market and each diamond is personally hand picked and inspected by me before it makes it to this website.  It must be UDIS (Ultimate Diamond Information Site) worthy to make it here. :)  These following examples are what is representative of the majority of goods on the market.

**This page involves a learning of devices used to examine internal light reflection.  For more on the Ideal Scope check out www.ideal-scope.com