Since discovering the Solasfera, it is with great anticipation that I bring you this tutorial on what is perhaps one of the premier super ideal cuts released onto the market this year.

A new breed of Super Ideal

As it is with any product these days we generally always see an update, upgrade or revamping of the original to make it better, faster, lighter, more of whatever it was that product was giving us.  In way of round brilliant  cuts the culmination or pinnacle of the 57 facet round is that of the Hearts & Arrows cut. A cursory examination of the Hearts & Arrows featured on our website reveals that diamonds, even cut to the proportions and level of precision that's required to get the Hearts & Arrows optical phenomena, show that not all of these have the same level of brilliance or light performance.

For example we see and witness Hearts & Arrows diamonds that have light performance that varies from the worst to best, yet are all classified as "Hearts & Arrows" diamonds ...

The Light Return of a Solasfera

This leads me to what constitutes the optical signature of the Solasfera.  There are 4 primary characteristics that differentiate this cut from anything else on the market which Solasfera states in their nomenclature.

1. Light flow architecture (No blatant light leakage).

The Solasfera diamond is cut utilizing one of the first technologies to be introduced that shows light return vs light leakage. That instrument is the FireScope(tm) which was later modified and is now called the Symmetryscope(tm).  It is extremely similar to our LightScope technology which plainly shows us the light-flow architecture within any given diamond.  To learn more about this technology we have a full tutorial on it at this link.  One of the principal signatures you'll find in each Solasfera under this technology is that of NO blatant leakage (which is indicated by the color white you'd find in that graphic if the diamond did leak light).  Very few diamonds in the world have no blatant leakage.

2. Precise Optical Symmetry

The 91 facet Solasfera does not have the traditional Hearts & Arrows pattern we are accustomed to seeing HOWEVER it is still a definite Hearts & Arrows diamond.  What is ingenious about this cut is that the manufacturers plainly understand the importance of light being directed at the high angles up and out through the crown of the diamond.  Knowing this, they have added 2 additional pavilion mains and 2 additional bezel facets (among others) that are cut to the proper angles to produce that much more brilliance, fire & scintillation through the crown.  You'll note 10 arrows and 10 hearts instead of the traditional 8 you'll find in Hearts & Arrows rounds.

3. Light Performance: Maximum Intensity Light Output

The goal of the cutters at Solasfera is MAX INTENSITY light output. With no blatant leakage, two additional pavilion mains and perfect proportions, these BrillianceScope results should come at no surprise.  :)

Every light position reveals the most insane activity we've yet to witness on the BrillianceScope.  Every Solasfera is accompanied with a BrilianceScope Report and each stone consistently gets the same results time after time.  We don't refer to these results as Triple Very High's but Triple FLUSH since they peg the meters each and every time.

This chart shows the images generated by the BrillianceScope on a common round (non ideal), A common H&A diamond, an uncommon H&A diamond and the Solasfera.

4. Perfect Proportions

Each and every Solasfera diamond must be cut to very tight and stringent proportions (on a facet by facet basis) to produce the kind of optics these diamonds have.  While the cutters at the Solasfera factory have respectfully asked that I withhold proportion (ie. Sarin/OGI) data from being viewed online (for the protection of this proprietary cut) the ultimate proof is in the pudding.  As GIA and AGS formulate their new cut grading systems  (based on optical properties), owners of Solasfera diamonds will be pleasantly surprised.

In short, when a diamond is cut to imperfect proportions (over 95% of all diamonds) they produce optical symmetry and light flow architecture similar to the stone on the left.

5. Light Performance in Diffuse Light Conditions

Yes...I know I listed 4 characteristics of the Solasfera that differentiate it from among the pack but there is one more not covered in their nomenclature and that is how this stone performs in diffuse light conditions as well.  Our principal technology for testing a diamonds brilliance in these conditions is our Isee2 Analysis which you can learn more about here.

The *brightness* of a diamond in diffuse and ambient light conditions is equally if not more important as how it appears in direct light conditions due to the fact that people observe diamonds most in these kind of light conditions. Well... there's no bad news in this department either.  The Solasfera diamonds consistently get top scores on the Isee2 technology as well.  Here are the results of 2 stones we scanned in.  On a scale from 0-10, Solasfera's consistently get in the mid 9's :).

Raising the Bar

When we take the factors of (a) optical symmetry, (b) light flow architecture, (c) light performance and (d) a set of proportions in cutting of both major and minor facets to produce a product like what you have in the Solasfera we have here a brand of diamond that sets itself apart from anything that has been introduced in way of cut before. In a marketplace that's full of hype and hoopla this is one brand that has really gone to great lengths to differentiate it's product from many others out there. The bar has been raised in the realm of super ideal cut H&A diamonds and Solasfera has set the new standard by which others will be judged.

Here is a picture of the Solasfera alongside one of our top performing H&A's.  The Solasfera is on the right.

Just as you can see the difference in this picture so can you in real life.

Here is a shot from an angle of both a Solasfera next to another premium brand at a slight angle.  It is easy to differentiate the Solasfera.

The Facet Structure of the Solasfera

The Solasfera has 91 facets in total. 

 

Diamond	Round Brilliant Cut	Solasfera
Crown	Table = 1 Kite or Bezel facets = 8 Star facets = 8 Upper girdles = 16 Total facets on crown = 33 facets	Table = 1 Bezels = 10 Stars =10 Upper Girdles = 30 Total facets on crown = 51
Pavilion	Pavilion mains = 8 Lower girdles = 16 Culet (if present) =1   Total facets on pavilion = 25 Total facets on round brilliant cuts = 57 (or 58 if culet is present)	Pavilion mains = 10 Lower girdles = 20 Additional Facets = 10 Culet (if present) = 1   Total facets on pavilion 40 Total facets on Solasfera = 91 (or 92 if culet is present)

The Solasfera and MSU

Being this is a brand spanking new cut the distributorships are limited. For those of you who would like to make an online "virtual comparison"

Not finding what you are looking for? We have many diamonds available to us through our suppliers. Our staff would be happy to assist you in your search for the perfect diamond. You can start by searching through our Diamond Search. We look forward to serving you!