If you have been considering buying an engagement ring, we are sure you have heard about the 4Cs. The cut, color, clarity and carat of a diamond are the most important aspects of the diamond buying process. But there is one important step that comes before the 4Cs—diamond shapes! Diamonds are available in lots of different shapes and each diamond shape has its own unique beauty. But first let's understand the difference between diamond shape and diamond cut.
Diamond shape has to do with the overall geometric shape or outline as well as the facet pattern while diamond cut has to do with diamond facets—it's numbers, proportions and alignment. Diamond shapes are often called round brilliant cut and emerald cut but it's important to know the difference between the two.
Another fact that you should know while starting your diamond buying journey is the two different types of facet patterns: Brilliant cut and Step cut. While you may be familiar with the brilliant faceting of diamond shapes like round, the kind of facets you see in an emerald cut or baguette diamonds is called a step cut. The brilliant cut facets are made for maximizing sparkle, fire and brilliance. The step cut facets arranged much like pyramid steps leading down to the center of the stone are designed to showcase the clarity of diamonds. Both are beautiful but their appeal is different. Brilliant cut diamonds like round are sought after for their sparkle while step cuts like emerald for their understated flashes of fire. Of course, there are shapes like cushion and radiant diamonds that are mixed cuts that combine the beauty of both.
Let's try to understand the advantages of top five diamond shapes for engagement rings: round, emerald, cushion, pear and princess.
Round Brilliant Cut Diamonds
Round brilliant cut diamonds are the most popular diamond shape, whether it's for engagement rings or any other type of jewelry. They account for about two thirds of the diamonds sold around the world. The round brilliant diamond’s cut pattern has been perfected down to science. It is the only shape for which the GIA gives a cut grade. This is because the brilliance or light performance of a round brilliant diamond can be predicted accurately by its facet pattern and proportions. It is a great choice for engagement rings because, all those mirror-like reflecting facets hide imperfections. A smart shopper can therefore compromise on clarity and gain on carat size.
Emerald Cut Diamonds
The emerald cut diamond is named so due to its cutting technique which is the same as the way an emerald is cut. The emerald cut is a step cut diamond. The other one being asscher diamonds and baguette diamonds. So, instead of tiny mirror-like facets, the emerald cut diamond has long facets that are cut parallel. It leads to a stunning hall of mirrors effect. The emerald cut diamond is mostly rectangular with cropped corners. The cropped corners help to prevent chipping. When choosing an emerald diamond, you cannot compromise on the clarity. Due to the long facets and larger table facet, choose a diamond with superior clarity.
Cushion Cut Diamonds
The cushion cut diamond is a mixed cut so it has a combination of brilliant faceting and the step facets of an emerald. This diamond is square with rounded edges, which makes it look like a cushion and so the name. Cushion cut diamonds have gained a lot of popularity lately, whether it's for engagement rings or earrings. These diamonds can have two distinctive looks. The antique cushions have well-defined facets or the cushions with the crushed ice effect. Antique stones do well in vintage-inspired jewelry settings like rings with milgrain borders or engraving.
Pear Shaped Diamonds
The pear diamond is rounded on one side and it narrows to a definite point, on the other side, like a teardrop. When choosing a pear diamond, symmetry is very important as symmetry affects its brilliance. The pear diamond can have an elongated or chubby profile. Both looks are appealing so it really all comes down to personal choice.
Princess Cut Diamonds
The princess cut diamond was at one time the second most popular diamond shape for engagement rings. It has all the sparkle of a round diamond in a square shape. Although princess cut diamonds are traditionally square, you may find them in slightly rectangular shapes. The corners of princess cut diamonds are sharp 90 degree corners and they may be prone to chipping. Most engagement rings for princess cut diamonds come with V prongs that are designed to protect the corners. Due to the way princess diamonds are cut, they cost less per carat than round brilliant diamonds. This makes them an excellent choice for budget engagement ring shoppers.
We hope we have made the buying process a little more easy and fun with these ideas.
Diamond shape has to do with the overall geometric shape or outline as well as the facet pattern while diamond cut has to do with diamond facets—it's numbers, proportions and alignment. Diamond shapes are often called round brilliant cut and emerald cut but it's important to know the difference between the two.
Another fact that you should know while starting your diamond buying journey is the two different types of facet patterns: Brilliant cut and Step cut. While you may be familiar with the brilliant faceting of diamond shapes like round, the kind of facets you see in an emerald cut or baguette diamonds is called a step cut. The brilliant cut facets are made for maximizing sparkle, fire and brilliance. The step cut facets arranged much like pyramid steps leading down to the center of the stone are designed to showcase the clarity of diamonds. Both are beautiful but their appeal is different. Brilliant cut diamonds like round are sought after for their sparkle while step cuts like emerald for their understated flashes of fire. Of course, there are shapes like cushion and radiant diamonds that are mixed cuts that combine the beauty of both.
Let's try to understand the advantages of top five diamond shapes for engagement rings: round, emerald, cushion, pear and princess.
Round Brilliant Cut Diamonds
Round brilliant cut diamonds are the most popular diamond shape, whether it's for engagement rings or any other type of jewelry. They account for about two thirds of the diamonds sold around the world. The round brilliant diamond’s cut pattern has been perfected down to science. It is the only shape for which the GIA gives a cut grade. This is because the brilliance or light performance of a round brilliant diamond can be predicted accurately by its facet pattern and proportions. It is a great choice for engagement rings because, all those mirror-like reflecting facets hide imperfections. A smart shopper can therefore compromise on clarity and gain on carat size.
Emerald Cut Diamonds
The emerald cut diamond is named so due to its cutting technique which is the same as the way an emerald is cut. The emerald cut is a step cut diamond. The other one being asscher diamonds and baguette diamonds. So, instead of tiny mirror-like facets, the emerald cut diamond has long facets that are cut parallel. It leads to a stunning hall of mirrors effect. The emerald cut diamond is mostly rectangular with cropped corners. The cropped corners help to prevent chipping. When choosing an emerald diamond, you cannot compromise on the clarity. Due to the long facets and larger table facet, choose a diamond with superior clarity.
Cushion Cut Diamonds
The cushion cut diamond is a mixed cut so it has a combination of brilliant faceting and the step facets of an emerald. This diamond is square with rounded edges, which makes it look like a cushion and so the name. Cushion cut diamonds have gained a lot of popularity lately, whether it's for engagement rings or earrings. These diamonds can have two distinctive looks. The antique cushions have well-defined facets or the cushions with the crushed ice effect. Antique stones do well in vintage-inspired jewelry settings like rings with milgrain borders or engraving.
Pear Shaped Diamonds
The pear diamond is rounded on one side and it narrows to a definite point, on the other side, like a teardrop. When choosing a pear diamond, symmetry is very important as symmetry affects its brilliance. The pear diamond can have an elongated or chubby profile. Both looks are appealing so it really all comes down to personal choice.
Princess Cut Diamonds
The princess cut diamond was at one time the second most popular diamond shape for engagement rings. It has all the sparkle of a round diamond in a square shape. Although princess cut diamonds are traditionally square, you may find them in slightly rectangular shapes. The corners of princess cut diamonds are sharp 90 degree corners and they may be prone to chipping. Most engagement rings for princess cut diamonds come with V prongs that are designed to protect the corners. Due to the way princess diamonds are cut, they cost less per carat than round brilliant diamonds. This makes them an excellent choice for budget engagement ring shoppers.
We hope we have made the buying process a little more easy and fun with these ideas.
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