Recutting can be used to refashion a diamond after it's been damaged, though you can greatly lose carat weight when doing so.

• A. It increases carat weight.
• B. It preserves all weight but changes color.
• C. It can greatly reduce carat weight.
• D. It has no impact on weight.

Answer: (C)

Recutting involves removing material from a diamond to refashion its shape, symmetry, or surface condition. Because carat weight measures the diamond’s mass, any material you take off reduces that weight. When a stone is damaged or needs a better overall cut, recutting can substantially shave away portions of the gem, leading to a noticeable loss of carat weight even as the diamond’s appearance and brilliance improve. This is why the statement that recutting can greatly reduce carat weight is the best description. It won’t increase weight, and it won’t keep the original weight intact, though changes in appearance or color may occur depending on how much material is removed.