What makes a diamond beautiful? It's all about diamond brilliance!
Of the many characteristics of a diamond that contribute to its beauty , diamond brilliance is the most important, hands down. Brilliance is the life of the diamond . Brilliant diamonds explode with light, catching people's eye inadvertently, sparkling in candlelight, adding elegance and glamour to a woman's whole being. Diamond brilliance is what elicits the “oohs and aahs” from women around you!
Sure, a diamond can be big, it can have extraordinary color, but if it isn't cut for maximum brilliance, fire and scintillation, then you may be paying a lot for dull, lifeless stone. Keep this in mind: diamond brilliance equates to beauty, so it contributes heavily to a diamond's value.
Diamond brilliance is defined as the reflection of a bright white light from the facets of the diamond and is determined by the artistry of the cutting and polishing. Each facet must be cut and shaped with precision, and placed with perfect symmetry .
A beautifully polished diamond provides maximum luster or light reflected from its surfaces . It is absent of minor blemishes, including scratches and abrasions.
The artisan cuts a diamond to make the best use of light . When the diamond cut is to good proportions, light is refracted from one facet to another, then dispersed (or returned) through the top of the diamond. This effect is known as Return of Light, and it can be measured scientifically with state-of-the-art optical technology.
If, on the other hand, the cut is poor, brilliance is sacrificed. For example, too deep a cut allows some light to escape through the opposite side of the diamond. If the cut is too shallow, light escapes through the bottom of the diamond before it can be reflected. Also, if the faceting pattern is not perfectly symmetrical, light will not bounce correctly from facet to facet.
Diamond brilliance is measured by Return of Light. Return of Light is the best measurement for a return on your diamond investment. Return of light is the amount of light returned through the top of the diamond and directed at the beholder. Applying recent advances in optical technology to diamonds, GemEx Systems Inc., an independent laboratory, created a new device for measuring Return of Light known as a BrillianceScope™. The BrillianceScope uses five lighting angles to measure with precision and accuracy the light enters the stone and is then returned back.
See the superior brilliance of The Leo Diamond®!
The Leo Diamond is recognized as a breakthrough in the technique and craft of diamond cutting. The perfect symmetry and placement of its facets result in fire, sparkle and brilliance that will take your breath away.
The Leo Diamond, handcrafted by the master artisans at Leo Schachter, was the first diamond ever to be measured and certified for superior brilliance.
Other factors to consider when choosing a diamond are:
Of the many 
"As I cut each diamond, I imagine how a beam of light will strike it and dance from facet to facet within the stone."