DIAMOND EDUCATION

Most current diamond shapes

 

 

The round diamond
The use of the word "round" in referring to a diamond is in reference to the actual shape of the diamond's table and crown. The crown and table of the round diamond is cut to produce a round shape when looking down through the table. This shape is formed when the diamond iscut to bring about a tapering pavilion, leading up to a round, or circular girdle and topped off by a tapering circular crown. This shape is the most popular of diamond shapes, accounting for morethan 75% of all diamonds sold.

There has been substantial research into the optimization of light, perhaps most famously with Marcel Tolkowsky in 1919, where he used the round shape as a focus because it is the most open to the maximization of the light display.

The round diamond shape is optimized for light refraction, so that the light both enters the crown and exits the crown, thus producing the most optimum fire and scintillation for the viewer. The round shape has been linked to the personality characteristics of warmth, empathy, and dependability. .

 

 

 

The baguette diamond
The baguette is more than often used as a side stone, the baguette cut shape is a step cut diamond that is similar to the emerald cut.

The baguette cut shape typically comes in smaller weights. Due to the nature of it being used as a side stone, it tends to be measured by its dimensional size and not its carat weight. Step cut stones, like the baguette, only have approximately 14 facets, fewer than the number of facets used for even an emerald cut. Its shape and cut can reveal more of its flaws and this means that a higher quality is important.

The downplayed display of fire and energy is what enables it to be a fantastic accent stone. It quietly adds more fire to a larger centerpiece.

 

 

 

 

The pear cut :
The pear shaped diamond is "pear" or teardrop in shape and is a cross between the Oval and Marquise diamond shapes. This is a popular diamond style for pendants and teardrop earrings. The Pear-shaped diamond more than often has 58 facets. It is normally cut in the brilliant style, to bring out more fire. It is seldom used for rings because it makes the fingers appear to be longer.

Side stones don’t work well with the pear shape due to the nature of this shape. Some have associated a preference for the pear shaped diamond with the personality traits of being generous and free-spirited.

Choose your pear diamond

 

 

 

The emerald cut :
The "emerald" cut of diamond is a step cut diamond like the baguette. The main difference to the brilliant cut is that it has triangular or Quadra-lateral diamond cut facets, and only 50 to 58 of them. This sort of faceting gives the emerald cut a more mirrored-type look, as opposed to the fire or modern brilliance of other diamond shapes.

As does the baguette, the emerald needs a higher quality of color and clarity, which other brilliants may not. The emerald cut has an unmatched elegance and old world charm that a brilliant will not possess. People who choose the Emerald cut are said to usually be more neat and decisive.

 

Choose your emerald diamond

 

 

 

The oval shaped diamond
The "oval" shaped diamond has 56 to 58 facets which is the same as a round shape diamond. It is not egg-like at all, but more elliptical and the cut of this stone is as important as the cut on a Marquise.

The shape alone gives an aura of a larger diamond than a round of similar carat weight. It also gives the optical image of longer fingers. The oval can replace a round in just about any mounting that can house a round. Personal traits that are linked to the oval shape are creativity and courageous.

Choose your oval diamond

 

 

 

 

The Marquise cut
The Marquise shape is a brilliant cut.  The actual cut of this shape is particularly important because if it is too long or too wide the light reflection is drastically reduced.  Its elongated shape and points make it appear larger than what it really is.
The Marquise shape has a historical story attached to it dating back to Louis the XIV.  History states that he wanted a shape that had enough life to mimic the smile of the Marquise of Pompadour.
Character traits that are associate to the Marquise shape are ambitious and innovative.

Choose your diamond marquise cut

 

 

 

 

The princess-cut diamond :
The "princess-cut" diamond is another square or rectangular diamond shape as is the radiant. The princess shape was created around 1980 in Los Angeles and is cut for maximum light reflection. The princess cut shape was born to have the brilliance of the round shape diamond, but for people with a more symmetrical taste.

The amount of facets ranges from 49 to 78, but they mostly have 78 facets for greater life. Being a square shape, the princess cut should have depth in the cut which allows more carats on the pavilion and this in turn brings out the most amount of fire. One should beware of thinner girdle and pointed corners on this particular shape. The Princess shape is linked with the traits of being confident and independent.

Choose your princess-cut diamond

 

 

The Heart shaped diamond :
The Heart shaped diamond is easily the most romantic of the diamond shapes. The symbolic shape of the heart diamond instantly evokes the innocence and purity of love. It is due to this that the heart shaped diamond has become such a popular shape around Valentine's Day as well as dates marking personal relationship milestones.

The origin of the heart shape can be found with the pear shape diamond. If you look closely at the heart shape diamond, you will notice that it is quite similar to the pear shape.

This is not simply a coincidence. The heart shape is actually derived directly from pear shape. The heart shape diamond often begins as a pear shape that has an inclusion within the rounded end. A skilled diamond cutter will cut the rough stone into a pear shape that has the inclusion located, ideally, centered at the rounded end of the pear. By placing the inclusion at this location, this portion is then divided into two equal lobes, thus creating the heart shape. It is essential to the heart shaped diamond to have a highly skilled cutter to insure that the distinctive lobes are balanced, smooth, and well defined, all the while retaining a brilliant shine.

The diameter of the heart shaped diamond is measured across the widest portion of the lobes, rather than from the tip to the bisecting of the lobes. Using this diameter the proportions of the heart shape is found, such as the table size, the girdle thickness, and the depth, crown and pavilion measurement.

This is an ideal pendant diamond, although it is popular for any type of setting. Personalities drawn to the heart shape of diamond tend to be sentimental, sensitive, and romantic.

 

 

 

The cushion cut diamond :
The cushion cut is a hybrid of the Old Miner Cut and the Oval cut, having round corners with a square look. The cushion cut usually has the same amount of facets as a round and oval shape (up to 58 facets) giving it the same fire and brilliance. Typically recognized as an “antique” shape, the cushion lost its popularity but with the new technology in cutting, it is becoming a trendy shape.

It is a shape that is designed to give incredible brilliance under low lighting. Too much lighting make it look deep and not as light reflective as its round or oval counterpart. The personality traits for this shape of diamond can be found in the origins and current state of the cushion cut itself. The Cushion cut possesses certain human character traits that are very specific to personality. It is modern yet traditional. It can be either soft or loud, but always refined.

Choose your cushion cut diamond

 

 

 

The radiant diamond :
The "radiant" diamond is another square or rectangular diamond shape as is the princess. Its square or rectangular shape gives the illusion of smaller fingers, making it ideal for those who want a shortened effect.

Usually with 70 facets, the square shape of this diamond requires it to be cut with greater depth, meaning that there must be greater weight in the pavilion as there is in other symmetrical shapes.

This manufacturing feature allows more light to reflect within the diamond and in turn giving it more life. Personality trait wise, the radiant is characterized as full of spirit and high energy.

Choose your radiant diamond