Diamond cuts play an integral role in determining the beauty and brilliance of a stone, as they influence its fire (the amount of colored light reflected from its table and facets).
Cuts come in a range of shapes and styles, determined by several factors such as facet count, symmetry and proportions. Each diamond is evaluated by trained graders who assign higher grades to stones that meet ideal cut standards.
Round
The round diamond cut is the most sought-after of all diamond cuts, suitable for any jewelry design aesthetic. It can be used as the main stone or set within a halo and provides an enduring choice for engagement rings and stud earrings alike.
When selecting a round diamond, its cut quality should be taken into account first and foremost. A poorly cut stone will appear chaotic with no visually appealing patterns.
Cushion
The cushion diamond cut is a popular shape for engagement rings, combining the energy of a round brilliant with the symmetry of a radiant cut.
Though it may appear smaller in face up comparison to other diamonds of its carat weight, this gemstone still catches the eye.
Oval
The oval diamond cut is a popular option for fancy diamonds. This elongated shape looks beautiful on all finger types.
Due to its brilliant faceting style, diamond cut gemstones effectively conceal blemishes and inclusions. This is particularly true near the rounded end of the stone or where jewelry settings will rest.
Marquise
Marquise cut diamonds offer a striking and distinctive shape that can add an air of grandeur to your engagement ring. Their elongated body and pointed ends help the stone appear larger than its actual carat weight.
This elongated diamond cut has been a favorite among celebrities for years, with Catherine Zeta-Jones, Ashlee Simpson and Portia de Rossi all sporting this style.
Princess
Princess diamond cuts are currently the second most sought-after fancy diamond shape. Their exceptional fire and brilliance make them ideal for creating unique ring styles.
Princess cuts tend to be more cost-effective than other diamond shapes of similar carat weight, as they require less refinement for final form. Furthermore, the high fire of princess cuts can mask inclusions, flaws and poor color within the stone.
Emerald
Emerald cut diamonds offer a timeless aesthetic with their clean geometric form and more subdued faceting details than other diamond cuts.
In the Art Deco era, people began to appreciate the crisp lines and symmetry that Emerald cut diamonds boasted.
To find your ideal emerald cut, select the length-to-width ratio that best suits your preference. Subconsciously, this ratio can be calculated by dividing the diamond’s length by its width.
Pear
Pear cut diamonds offer a distinctive aesthetic. Their round shape combines the roundness of an oval with the pointed end of a marquise.
The pear shape has been around since ancient times, created by Flemish cutter Lodewyk van Berquem in the 1400s. While initially only featuring 58 facets, diamond cutters have since taken creative license to create more elaborate facet patterns within this fancy cut.
Radiant
The radiant diamond cut is the latest innovation in fancy diamond cuts. Henry Grossbard created this shape to showcase a diamond’s natural brilliance.
Radiant diamonds are one of the more budget-friendly diamond cuts due to their lower demand. On average, they’re 10-30% less expensive than round brilliants of similar carat weight.
Triangle
Triangle diamond cuts offer a striking and eye-catching option for center stones or accent gems in jewelry pieces. Their distinctive shape can be combined with other diamond cuts to create stunning looks!
The Trillion diamond, also known as a Trilliant, is an innovative and contemporary cut that beautifully showcases the natural beauty of a Triangle with brilliant diamond’s sparkling facets.
Star
Star diamond cuts offer an attractive alternative to the classic round brilliant cut, boasting a higher refractive index and greater luster.
Conclusion
A diamond’s brilliance is determined by its refractive index, dispersion and contrast. How much white light is reflected back to the observer and its ability to flash spectral colors (known as “fire”) are all factors in determining how brilliant a stone appears.
