Diamond - Shapes « BACK

Do not confuse cut with shape, cut is what determines how well-cut your diamond is, shape is the shape it was cut into. Diamonds do not show all of their beauty as rough stones; instead, they must be cut and polished to exhibit the characteristic fire and brilliance that diamond gemstones are known for. Diamonds are cut into a variety of shapes that are generally designed to accentuate these features.Diamonds come in a variety of shapes. Diamonds which are not cut into a round brilliant shape are known as "fancy cuts." Popular fancy cuts include the baguette (French, meaning rod or loaf of bread) , marquise, princess cut (square outline), heart, briolette (a form of the rose cut), and pear cuts. Newer cuts that have been introduced into the jewelry industry are the "cushion" "radiant" (similar to princess cuts, but with rounded edges instead of square edges) and Asscher cuts. Many fancy colored diamonds are now being cut according to these new styles. Generally speaking, these "fancy cuts" are not held to the same strict standards as Tolkowsky-derived round brilliants and there are less specific mathematical guidelines of angles which determine a well-cut stone. Cuts are influenced heavily by fashion: the baguette cut-which accentuates a diamond's luster and downplays its fire-was all the rage during the Art Deco period, whereas the princess cut - which accentuates a diamond's fire rather than its luster - is currently gaining popularity. The princess cut is also popular amongst diamond cutters: of all the cuts, it wastes the least of the original crystal. The past decades have seen the development of new diamond cuts, often based on a modification of an existing cut. Some of these include extra facets. These newly developed cuts are viewed by many as more of an attempt at brand differentiation by diamond sellers, than actual improvements to the state of the art.

Round Brilliant

The Classic Cut: the vast majority of diamonds sold are rounds. The traditional choice for all occasions (diamond engagement ring, diamond jewellery, loose diamond, diamond earring etc) and preferred by many for their personal investment portfolio. The depth percentage should range between 58 to 63 percent and the table percentage should range between 55 to 64 percent. The most desired percentages are the 60 percent, and perfectionists will look for depth of 59 through 62 percent and table of 56 through 58 percent.

Oval

The oval cut diamond is based upon the traditional configuration of the round brilliant diamond and that's why its technical name is oval modified brilliant diamond. The oval was invented by Lazare Kaplan in the early 1960s. A length-to-width ratio of 1.5:1 is almost universally considered a pleasing shape for oval diamonds, with any variation beyond 1.4:1 or 1.6:1 beginning to be noticeable and become an aesthetic issue. However as with all fancies, a certain degree of individual taste is always factored into the desirability of a particular diamond's shape. Fifty-six facets are typical for oval brilliant diamonds. Over the last year or two ovals have become very popular as centre diamonds for engagement rings. Diamond earrings and diamond necklaces are very popular too.

Princess

The Princess Cut Diamond air a brilliant style shape with sharp, uncut corners. It is typically cut square rather as a rectangle. Brilliant style refers to vertical direction crown and pavilion facets instead of step style horizontaled facets. A princess Cut Diamond generally has 76 facets, giving it more brilliance and fire than the round brilliant. The Princess Cut diamond is fast becoming one of the most popular cuts in the United States: diamond engagement ring, diamond jewellery, loose diamond, diamond earring, etc..

Emerald

An emerald cut diamond shape is usually rectangular. The flat planes of the outside edges allow for a variety of side stones shapes. Typical pairings would be two or three side baguetts,two half-moons, and other smaller emeralds, but not trillions ,as their sparkle makes the centre emerald cut look flat. The length-to-width ratio should be between 1.5:1 to 1.75:1.

Radiant

The Radiant Cut Diamond is a staight-edged rectangular or square stone with cut corners. The radiant cut diamond has 62-70 facets. Radiants are principally used for important centre stones primarily for rings but also for pendant. They are rarely used for earrings or as side stones because they are hard to calibrate and match. To get matched pairs you may have to sort through a hundred stones or recut to calibrate. Emerald - an emerald cut diamond shape is usually rectangular. The flat planes of the outside edges allow for a variety of side stones shapes. Typical pairing would be two or three side baguettes, two half-moons and other smaller emeralds but not trillions as their sparkle makes the centre emerald cut look flat. The length-to-width ratio should be between 1.5:1 to 1.75:1. Radiant shape is used for a diamond ring, diamond engagement ring, diamond earring in any kind of diamond jewellery.

Marquise

The Marquise Cut takes its name from a legend relating to the Marquise of Pompadour. According to the legend, the Sun King desired a stone to be polished into the shape of the mouth of the Marquise. It is generally agreed that a length-to-width ratio between 1.75:1 to 2:1 is most pleasing. As with other fancy shapes, the consumer's individual taste constitutes an element of the evaluation as well. The typical marquise diamond contains 56 facets. Marquise cut is popular in a diamond ring, diamond engagement ring, diamond earring and in any kind of diamond jewellery.

Pear

The pear shaped brilliant diamond is based upon the traditional configuration of the round brilliant diamond. More than other fancy shapes, length-to-width ratio is a matter of taste when it comes to pear shaped diamonds. Because pears may be used for engagement rings, suites in necklaces, dangles in earrings, and integral parts of custom designs, a wide variety of shapes is considered desirable. The typical pear shaped diamond will contain 58 facets. Pear shape is used for a diamond ring, diamond engagement ring, diamond earring in any kind of diamond jewellery.

Heart

Hard to find due to low demand, but some people prefer a heart shape diamond for sentimental purposes.