Diamond Shapes
Asscher Diamonds
The Asscher cut is a square-shaped diamond with cut corners. With a high crown and large step cut facets, it offers more brilliance than the popular emerald shape. The sleek and modern Asscher shaped diamonds work well in solitaire settings and complement vintage-inspired styles perfectly.
This diamond shape has a rectangular-faceted structure similar to the emerald cut and boasts prismatic splendour.
The standard number of principle features on an Asscher cut is usually 58, and the common proportion for the more popular square-shaped Asscher cuts is 1.00 to 1.05.
Cushion Diamonds
Cushion cut diamonds offer the best of both worlds: a square cut diamond with soft, rounded edges, providing a romantic feel. This timeless shape is an evolution of the old mine cut, having undergone refinement over many centuries.
The Cushion Cut Diamond is a versatile option suitable for any setting style. This antique cut has a classic and romantic appeal, created by merging the Old Mine Cut, prevalent in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and the modern Oval-Cut Diamond.
The Old Mine Cut’s hallmark was large facets and rounded corners since all cutting was done by hand during that period. They were designed to capture the beauty of candlelight. The Cushion-Cut Diamond comprises of 58 facets.
Emerald Diamonds
The elegant silhouette of emerald cut diamonds is highly coveted. The diamond’s shallow pavilion and crown highlight its clarity, while the reflective steps intensify the diamond’s color and luster.
Emerald cut diamonds are classified as “step-cut” because of their rectangular facets. These diamonds have less brightness and therefore, clarity is of utmost importance.
It is worth noting that Emerald Cut Engagement Rings are not very sparkly. The emerald-cut diamond is cut differently than other diamonds.
Most diamonds are cut with a brilliant cut, which creates sparkle and brilliance. However, emerald diamonds are step cut, which produces flashes of light known as the “hall of mirrors” effect.
Heart Diamonds
Heart shaped diamonds are a unique and pure symbol of love. They are a popular choice for solitaire pendants and engagement rings.
The modified brilliant-cut heart-shaped diamond features two symmetrical halves that create a bold and romantic look.
When selecting a heart-shaped diamond, it’s essential to find one with balanced halves that are identical in size and shape.
The cleft, or the space between the two lobes, should be sharp and precise, while the wings or sides of the diamond should have a slightly rounded shape.
Marquise Diamonds
The diamond with the marquise shape is distinct with pointed ends and a curved middle, creating a captivating appearance.
Its larger surface area than other diamond shapes makes it appear larger and gives a unique character to any jewellery setting.
Despite being around for centuries, the marquise cut diamond is not as commonly used in engagement rings as the more popular round and princess cuts.
With 58 facets, this diamond shape has a long, narrow silhouette that adds a timeless and elegant touch to any ring design.
Pear Diamonds
Pear-shaped diamonds have a rounded edge that tapers to a point at the other end, which is a unique shape that looks good on fingers and offers a distinct appearance.
The pear-shaped diamond combines the round brilliant cut and the marquise shape, designed to highlight the diamond’s sparkle, so finding a stone with excellent symmetry is essential.
The diamond is typically worn with the pointed end facing the wearer’s hand, and it is recommended that a pear-shaped diamond should have excellent or outstanding symmetry.
Princess Diamonds
Princess cut diamonds are a popular choice for engagement rings due to their exceptional clarity and unique square shape. They are designed to maximize the brilliance of the diamond and offer a modern look that works well in any ring setting.
When selecting a Princess Cut diamond, it is vital to ensure that the ring’s setting protects the four pointed corners.
Additionally, the Princess Cut allows for more leeway regarding inclusions or blemishes in the diamond.
Oval Diamonds
Oval diamonds are a modified brilliant cut, created by Lazare Kaplan in the 1960s. With a similar fire and brilliance to round shaped diamonds, the elongated shape of oval diamonds can create the illusion of a larger size.
The oval shape is ideal for customers who prefer the look of a round diamond but want something unique.
Additionally, the elongated shape of oval diamonds can make the finger of the wearer appear longer and slimmer, making them a highly desirable choice.
Radiant Diamonds
The radiant cut diamond is a square or rectangular-shaped diamond with a brilliant cut facet design on both the crown and pavilion.
It was created by Henry Grossbard in 1977, combining the step-cut of an emerald diamond and the brilliant cut of a round diamond, resulting in a dazzling shine on a square or rectangular stone.
Radiant cut diamonds typically have 70 facets, enhancing their overall brilliance and fire, second only to the Round Brilliant cut.
The angled corners also protect from damage. Overall, the radiant cut highlights the complexity and sparkle of the diamond while maintaining high durability.
To maximize its brilliance, the radiant cut requires more carat weight in the depth of the diamond.
Round Diamonds
The Round Brilliant cut is the most popular diamond shape and accounts for more than half of all diamonds sold today. It was created in Europe but is also known as the American Ideal Cut.
The Round Brilliant cut diamond has 58 facets distributed among its crown, girdle, and pavilion and a typical proportion between 1.00 and 1.02.
This cut yields maximum brightness because it follows the natural crystal structure of the rough diamond.
The Round Brilliant cut has been extensively studied in the industry. For over a century, diamond cutters have used advanced scientific theories of light reflection and precise mathematical calculations to optimize their fire and brilliance.
