Benefits Of 10 Popular Diamond Cuts

Photo: do amour

In a diamond, a good cut is the most important characteristic as it more than any other "C'' (namely: cut, carat, color and clarity) determines the gemstone's value. Jewelers advise us to never compromise on a good cut. The better the cut, the more the diamond reflects light (i.e, sparkles), and it looks bigger because the carat weight is in the right place to enhance the stone.

In addition, there are a number of popular diamond shapes to buy. How clean a rough stone is determines how a jeweler will cut it. A jewelry cutter works around the stone's natural inclusions (or flaws) to both preserve as much of the stone as possible while minimizing its inclusions.

Do you ever wonder what the benefits are of each of the popular diamond shapes ... and perhaps which cuts give you the effect (or illusion) of a bigger diamond for the money? If so, let's continue, shall we??

10 Popular Diamond Shapes (also available in colored gemstones):

1. Round cut - Round diamonds require the most skill and time to cut into exactly 58 facets. In the process, more of the stone is sacrificed than with other shapes. What's more, rounds are the most in demand for engagement rings; therefore they are the most expensive cut. As much as I favor brilliant round cut gemstones, the stone tends to be smaller for the same money then if we choose oval or emerald cuts. In addition, ovals and emeralds often look bigger (give you a bigger effect) per carat than rounds. Round cuts have the most sparkle. 

Yet, don't let this stop you from considering the 9 other cuts. With an expert cut, other diamond shapes sparkle plenty ... enough to blind the eye as you will see from examples below!

2. Princess cut - The princess cut is the 2nd most in demand shape, and you can get a bigger stone for the same money you will pay for a smaller round diamond. The princess cut -- at 50 - 57 facets -- is not as exacting as a round cut so less of the rough diamond is cut away. When cut well, a princess cut shines just as brightly to the naked eye! 

3) Emerald cut - An emerald cut is said to be a modern and sophisticated style. The elongated, rectangular shape can make fingers look longer. An emerald cut requires a clean rough diamond as jewelers can't hide inclusions despite its 57 facets, but unlike with clarity, you can compromise on color. With its smooth surface, an emerald cut gleams like a mirror with dramatic flashes of light bouncing off it. It's gorgeous too!

4. Pear cut - When pointed outward to the fingernail, this is another cut to make fingers look long and slender. The pear cut has 56 - 58 facets and is cut shallower than other shapes which means the diamond will often look bigger than a similar-sized (in carat weight) round or princess cut. The latter two have more of the stone forming their pavilions (a/k/a bottoms).

5. Radiant cut - A radiant cut is a rectangle diamond with 70 bright, shiny facets. The corners are clipped like emerald and cushion cuts (not pointy like the princess cut). Celebrities 1st rocked the radiate cut. Later on, it become available to the general public. Radiant cut diamonds continue to cost more and sparkle more than a princess cut, yet their edgy appeal isn't for everyone.

6. Marquise cut - We have King Louis XIV to thank for commissioning this cut to resemble the smile of his mistress.👑 Another shape to slim and make fingers look longer, a marquise cut has 57 facets to sparkle. Its length and points create a bigger stone effect over ovals and rounds. Pretty and unique, it's less popular than other shapes for engagement rings, which means you can get a bigger diamond for less money! Less in demand cuts tend to be a better value!

7. Cushion cut - The cushion cut is square. usually with 57 facets and what is sometimes called a crushed ice effect, which sparkles and dances. Like the round, a cushion cut is traditional in engagement rings, yet costs less. The feature to avoid in a cushion cut diamond is a deep set stone since you will pay for weight that cannot be seen ... and thus, it can look like a smaller diamond. If you desire a bigger effect diamond, you will have less selection in a cushion cut, as this shape tends to be cut deep. 

Looking at the 3 cushion cut diamonds (to the right) shows you how to get a bigger diamond effect without paying for a bigger central diamond, namely select a setting with accent or pavé diamonds. The extra, attendant stones and sparkle give the illusion of a bigger center diamond without paying for extra carat weight. A ''trick'' which applies to all the shapes.

8. Heart cut - To create a heart is one of the most difficult shapes to cut. It has 56 - 58 facets and is unique, feminine, and romantic. With a cleft, lobe, belly, wing, and point, a bad cut might shatter the stone. Softer gemstones tend not to be cut into hearts.

9. Oval cut - I love this shape in earrings and rings for the reasons cited above. As much as I love a round cut, similar sized ovals often look bigger. Also as earrings, ovals are easy to wear because they tend to stay put. Emerald, radiant, pear or heart cut earrings (shapes with edges or points) can shift out of place throughout the day. What you want to look for in an oval cut diamond is a subtle as opposed to a prominent bow tie (how light hits the stone) effect.

It's a wonder to me that oval cuts don't follow rounds in popularity for engagement rings. With 57 facets in the oval cut, you get a gorgeous effect and sparkle. Who needs a wedding? Give me that ring! (See above, right.)

10. Asscher cut - Developed by Joseph Asscher in 1902 during the Art Deco period. Typically with 57 facets, the asscher cut has less sparkle than other shapes (round, oval, marquise, pear, princess, heart, radiant, cushion, or emerald). Ha, that's quibbling! What it offers instead is a shimmering hall of mirrors effect. Because Asscher cuts require clean, colorless diamonds and tend to be rare, they cost more than other shapes; and there are few budget-friendly offerings to find. Oh, that explains why I love what I see, but don't own it.🙂

Photo: GIA Education

In life, we should only buy what we love ... but perhaps we could love more than a single cut to have a bigger diamond or a bigger effect. What shape do you absolutely love ... and what cuts could you love to get the biggest diamond (or effect) for the money?? The longer I look ... ohh I love them all!😍

For you readers, I dragged myself back to Tiffany & Co. to do the research for this blog. What I do for my readers ... work, work, work!🙂 The showcase lights hide the sparkle of the big and clean diamonds. Enlarge if you wish.

You may also enjoy:

Fancy Shaped Diamonds

My Window Shopping Spree

Which Diamond "C" Is The Most Important?

5 Tips For Buying A Tennis Bracelet On A Budget