The facet at the base of the point (or pavilion) of the diamond. It is a small surface, parallel to the table (top surface) of the diamond. Some stones are cut without a culet, directly to a point, though this exposes the diamond more readily to damage if knocked. Culets are graded from very small to extremely large – in general, smaller culets are more desirable, as the larger the culet the more it will be seen from the top of the diamond, appearing as a dark spot where the light escapes directly out of the base of the diamond.