“The 4Cs of diamond” – such a well-known phrase that even if you don’t know anything about diamonds, you’ve at least heard of the phrase. The 4Cs refer to cut, color, clarity, and carat weight; they are the most important characteristics of a diamond to understand and consider when making a diamond purchase. Today’s post looks at diamond cuts.
Diamond Cuts vs Diamond Shapes
Contrary to what many assume, the cut of a diamond does not refer to shape, such as round or oval diamonds. Cut is about a diamond’s symmetry, proportions, and polish. Shape, on the other hand, has to do with the diamond’s overall form (round, heart, oval, etc.,). Cut also directly impacts a diamond’s beauty, brilliance, and of course, appearance. Thus, when shopping for diamond jewelry of any kind, for example engagement diamond rings, it’s particularly important to pay attention to the diamond’s cut.
Types of Cuts
There are essentially two types of diamond cuts: brilliant and step. Brilliant cut diamonds are rough diamonds that were cut and polished in a form that gives them exceptional brilliance; they have mostly triangular or kite-shaped facets that radiate from their center whereas step-cut diamonds have a square or rectangular shape with long, narrow, parallel facets. Cut well, a diamond will be luminous; cut poorly it will be dull.
Why Shape Matters
Although the cut of a diamond is considered its most important quality, a diamond’s shape can also have an impact on how well light is reflected and refracted and even impact its price. The diamond’s shape is also what contributes to a jewelry piece’s overall look and style as it is what defines the diamond’s outline and external figure.
Types of Diamond Shapes
Diamond shapes have evolved over time, and continue to evolve to meet new techniques, trends, and tastes. There are also dozens of diamond shapes to choose from, but the most popular ones are pictured below followed by one image of the different shapes so you can easily compare them.
Round Brilliant – A round brilliant has 58 angular facets, which reflect white light exceptionally well, and enhance the diamond’s sparkle with the least amount of sacrifice to carat weight.
Freeform Round Brilliant Engagement Ring
Princess – A princess shape has a square cut and straight sides, and exhibits exceptional fire (the effect produced when white light disperses into rainbow colors) and brilliance. It is one of the most popular shapes for engagement rings.
Halo Style Ring with Princess Diamond Cut Center Stone
Cushion – Similar to the round brilliant, cushion-shaped diamonds have a square shape with round corners. This shape hides inclusions very well and exhibits great fire.
Cushion Cut Halo Diamond Ring
Emerald – Emerald-shaped diamonds have an elongated, rectangular shape and long, step-like cuts. They offer good clarity and reflection of white and colored light and give the appearance that they are larger than diamonds with the same carat weight, but different shapes.
Emerald Cut Double Halo Engagement Ring
Marquise – The marquise shape, which supposedly takes its name from the Marquise of Pompadour, is a diamond that has a long and narrow cut, and is shaped like a football. Its elongated cut gives the illusion of a greater size. It also makes the finger of the wearer appear longer and slimmer.
Marquise Cut Diamond Engagement Ring
Pear – Also known as a teardrop shape, the pear shape is a modified brilliant that combines the marquise and oval shapes to produce an asymmetrical shape that has one rounded end and one pointed end.
Pear Cut Diamond Halo Engagement Ring
Oval – Like round brilliants, oval diamonds have 58 facets, but rather than a round shape, the diamond has an elongated, oval shape. It is essentially a combination between the round cut and the pear cut, and it also gives an elegant, long look to the finger.
Oval Cut Diamond Three Stone Engagement Ring
Radiant – Radiant-shaped diamonds have a square cut and a complete brilliant-cut facet pattern that extends to its pavilion (the space below the diamond’s girdle or outline) and crown (the top of the diamond including the flat area and facets). This unique feature is what gives radiant-shaped diamonds their impressive brilliance and fire.
Halo style, three-stone ring with a radiant-cut center stone and diamond accents in a milgrain setting
Asscher – Named for the company that created it, the I.J. Asscher diamond company, Asscher diamonds are similar to emerald diamonds because they also feature large step-like cuts. However, unlike the emerald shape, which is rectangular, Asscher diamonds are square shaped. They also have a high crown, which combined with the step cuts creates a stunning brilliance.
Emerald Asscher halo diamond ring
Heart – Heart-shaped diamonds feature a modified version of the brilliant cut. They have 56-58 facets and when cut well have excellent brilliance. Their stunning brilliance and special shape make them a very popular choice for engagement rings.
Heart Cut Diamond Engagement Ring
Gemstone Shapes
