What is the table facet of a gemstone?
By Jared James · Last updated 21 May 2026
Definition
The table facet is the large, flat facet at the very top of a faceted gemstone, sitting at the centre of the crown. It is the biggest single facet on the stone and the first thing light hits when it enters from above. The size of the table relative to the stone's total diameter is expressed as a percentage and is one of the proportions a grading lab measures when assessing cut. In a well-cut round brilliant diamond, the table percentage typically sits between 54 and 60 percent, which balances brightness with the fire seen around the crown facets.
Frequently asked questions
- What is a good table percentage for a diamond?
- For a round brilliant diamond, most gem professionals consider a table percentage between 54 and 60 percent ideal, as it balances the brightness coming through the top with the fire produced by the crown facets around it. Outside that range the stone can look either glassy or dark in the centre.
- Does a larger table make a diamond more brilliant?
- A very large table lets in more direct light but can reduce the fire and scintillation around the crown edge, so more is not always better. The table needs to work in proportion with the crown height and pavilion depth to produce the right balance of white brightness and coloured sparkle.
- What is the difference between the table and the crown?
- The table is just one facet, the flat top of the stone. The crown is the whole upper portion of the gemstone above the girdle, which includes the table plus the surrounding star, kite and upper girdle facets that create fire and scintillation.
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