Diamond cuts are an essential factor when choosing the best diamond or piece of diamond jewelry for you or a loved one. However, it is not always easy to know which diamond cut is best for your needs (or the needs of your partner). Some cuts are specifically designed for particular pieces of jewelry, while others are preexisting diamond designs that offer different kinds of visual appeal. Either way, you will have to determine what kind of cut you want to make the best impression with your jewelry.
In today’s guide, we will discuss why the cut of a diamond is so important and why it makes a difference during the shopping process. Additionally, we will look at some of the best and most popular diamond cuts on the market. So, let’s get started!
What Does Diamond Cut Mean & Does It Make A Difference?
The cut of a diamond refers to the shape in which a natural or lab made diamond has been cut. When diamonds are created in a lab or mined, they do not come in the exact shape needed to make beautiful jewelry. For this reason, diamond experts must cut the diamonds into specific shapes that improve their brilliance and their reflection of light.
Since a diamond is an extremely strong gem, cutting must be done using a durable steel blade or even a laser. This makes cutting a very important step in the process of getting a diamond from the lab (or the mine) all the way to a jewelry retailer and, eventually, into the hands of consumers. In any case, different cuts equate to different diamond shapes, which can be extremely important if you want to customize the look of your jewelry.
When diamond experts refer to the most important qualities to consider when shopping for jewelry, they often talk about the 4 C’s of diamonds (Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat). The natural color of a diamond can range from white or colorless all the way to yellow or yellowish-brown. That said, diamond colors can also be manipulated and changed to non-natural colors in a laboratory. Clarity refers to the number and degree of imperfections (also known as inclusions) present in a given diamond, while carats are the unit of measurement used to weigh a diamond. Finally, the cut refers the final shape of a diamond at the time of purchase, whether it is bought as a standalone gem or as part of a piece of diamond jewelry.
Therefore, finding the best cut for your tastes or needs is an integral part of shopping for diamond jewelry. In fact, the cut can have one of the most significant impacts on the look of your jewelry. So, to help find the best cut for you, let’s take a closer look at some of the most popular and common diamond cuts:
Asscher Cut
The Asscher Cut is one of the more unique diamond cuts available, as it features 58 distinct facets. When looking at the diamond from the top down, it has a square shape with shaved corners. The large number of lines and edges create a design similar to a spiderweb that creates a dazzling effect when exposed to light.
Cushion Cut
The Cushion Cut has a square shape with rounded corners. Within the square, the Cushion Cut features a large central octagon, surrounded by a myriad of symmetrical diamond shapes. This cut is often known for creating a “fire” effect, as its exposure to light often produces a rainbow of colors.
Emerald Cut
The Emerald Cut is very similar in its basic geometry to the Asscher Cut, except Emerald Cut diamonds have a rectangular shape (as opposed to a square shape). This means that your diamond will be elongated, with parallel long sides and short ends. Emerald Cut diamonds are most notable for their central peaks and thin delineations at the edges.
Heart Shape
As the name implies, a Heart Shape diamond is in the standard shape of a heart. This often means that there are a variety of symmetrical and asymmetrical shapes across the face of the gem, with an enlarged center that also resembles a heart (or in some cases a shield). Either way, heart-shaped diamond jewelry make great gifts for romantic partners.
Marquise Cut
The Marquise Cut is most similar in shape to an almond. It has the rounded edges of an Oval Cut, but instead of having rounded ends, the short edges form points. The elongated design is often used to make smaller diamonds appear larger, particularly when combined with smaller pieces of jewelry.
Oval Cut
The Oval Cut is very similar to the Marquise Cut, albeit with completely rounded edges. This gives the Oval Cut a broader shape that offers greater versatility than the Marquise Cut. Oval diamond rings are especially popular for both wedding and engagement rings, as they are beautiful and dazzling, but they can also be sized to fit any sense of style or budget.
Pear Shape
The Pear Shape is rounded on one end, but reduces in width down to a fine point on the other end. It is essentially a combination of the Marquise Cut and Oval Cut. The Pear Shape cut is typically divided into different segments starting at the rounded “peak.” As the peak slopes downward, it becomes the shoulder of the diamond. The middle of the cut is known as the belly, while the part that curves inward toward the bottom is known as the wing. Finally, every Pear Shape diamond finishes with a point at the bottom. It is important to note that a Pear Shape diamond ring or earring can be worn with the point facing upward, but the traditional style keeps the rounded peak at the top and the sharper point at the bottom.
Princess Cut
The Princess Cut is one of the only shapes that forms a perfect square at the outer edge of the diamond. The square shape is typically complemented by a raised, octagonal center. Princess Cuts are particularly popular for diamonds, but they are also used for a wide variety of gemstones. And while you can have diamond earrings and necklaces with the Princess Cut, the style is more commonly used for engagement and wedding rings.
Radiant Cut
At first glance, the Radiant Cut bears a striking resemblance to the Emerald Cut. Both cuts feature rectangular bodies with trimmed edges. However, the long edges of a Radiant Cut diamond are shorter than the long edges of an Emerald Cut. Moreover, the Emerald Cut relies on parallel and perpendicular lines that create a large, rectangular center, but the same is not true with the Radiant Cut. Instead, Radiant Cut diamonds use different shapes to create greater light and color variation.
Round Brilliant
The Round Brilliant (sometimes simply known as the Round Cut) is a diamond cut that forms a perfect circle. This is one of the more traditional shapes for both diamond rings and earrings. In any case, Round Brilliant has a multitude of interior shapes to reflect light brilliantly and create the kind of sparkle that most diamond enthusiasts want.
We hope you found this guide on diamond cuts both useful and informative! Are you in the market for diamond jewelry? Do you want beautiful, certified lab diamond jewelry at competitive prices? If so, be sure to check out the luxurious products available at Liori Diamonds today!
