Which two factors of a bow-tie determine its effect on appearance?

• A. The bow-tie's darkness and size determine its effect on a diamond's appearance.
• B. The bow-tie's depth and symmetry determine its effect on a diamond's appearance.
• C. The bow-tie's color and laser inscription determine its effect on a diamond's appearance.
• D. The bow-tie's orientation and girdle width determine its effect.

Answer: (A)

The look of a bow-tie in a round-brilliant diamond is governed mainly by two things: how dark the bow-tie is and how large it appears. The bow-tie is a darker, cross- or elongated-shaped area caused by how light travels through the stone; when it’s very dark and takes up more of the stone’s view, it blocks light from reflecting back to you, reducing brightness and sparkle. If the bow-tie is light or small, the diamond still looks bright and lively because more light is returned to the observer. While depth and symmetry can influence overall light performance and how facets align, the specific appearance of the bow-tie is determined by its darkness and its size. The other factors listed—color or laser inscription—don’t affect the bow-tie’s look, and orientation or girdle width aren’t the primary determinants of its appearance.