Diamond Shape
LUXSSO DIAMOND SHAPE CHART
Diamond shape refers to the geometric outline and overall physical form. Every diamond shape has its attributes and cut specifications, which also play a significant factor in the overall look of the stone. The shape is an important consideration when buying a diamond as it directly influences price.
Round diamonds tend to be priced higher than other shapes because of their incredible brilliance, market demand, and increased manufacturing costs. Other diamonds are fancy-shaped diamonds, including princess, emerald, asscher, cushion, marquise, radiant, oval, pear, and heart.
Following is an introduction to each shape, including information on determining the best combination of size, colour, and clarity for your needs.
ROUND CUT DIAMONDS
The round cut diamond is the most popular diamond shape, representing approximately 75% of all diamonds sold. Due to the mechanics of its shape, the round diamond is generally superior to fancy shapes at the proper reflection of light, maximizing potential brightness.
EMERALD CUT DIAMONDS
The unique look of the emerald cut diamond is due to the step cuts of its pavilion and its large, open table. Instead of the sparkle of a brilliant-cut, emerald cut diamonds produce a hall-of-mirrors effect, with the interplay of light and dark planes. Often, an emerald cut diamond makes inclusions or body colour easier to see.
PEAR CUT DIAMONDS
The modified brilliant-cut pear-shaped diamond combines a round and a marquise shape, with a tapered point on one end. Ideally, a pear-shaped diamond should possess excellent or perfect symmetry. The point should line up with the apex of the rounded end. The shoulders and wings (the upper and lower curves on the right and left sides of the diamond) should form uniform, symmetrical curves.
CUSHION CUT DIAMONDS
Cushion-cut diamonds look like pillows and can be square or rectangular. They often have high crowns, which gives them lots of coloured sparkles. This classic cut has been around for almost 200 years, and for the first century of its presence was the most popular diamond shape. Cushion-cut diamonds are primarily used in larger-carat earrings and as a centre stone in cushion-cut engagement rings.
PRINCESS CUT DIAMONDS
First created in 1980, the princess cut diamond is the most popular fancy diamond shape, especially for engagement rings. Like round cut diamonds, princess cut diamonds are a good choice for their flexibility in working in almost any ring style.
OVAL CUT DIAMONDS
The oval diamond is a modified brilliant-cut (like virtually all round cut diamonds); the two diamonds possess a similar fire and brilliance. However, oval cut diamonds have the added advantage of an elongated shape, creating the illusion of greater size.
ASSCHER CUT DIAMONDS
The Asscher cut diamond was first produced in 1902 by the Asscher Brothers of Holland and is a forerunner to the emerald cut. The Asscher cut diamond is similar to the emerald cut but in a square shape with more significant step facets, a higher crown, and a smaller table. This combination often produces more brilliance than the emerald cut.
MARQUISE CUT DIAMONDS
The marquise cut diamond is a football-shaped, modified brilliant-cut. Because the marquise diamond is long and narrow, it can also create the illusion of greater size. Carat for carat, the marquise diamond has one of the largest surface areas of any diamond shape, making it a good choice when maximizing perceived size.
HOW DOES DIAMOND SHAPE AFFECT SPARKLE?
A diamond’s sparkle relies on its ability to absorb light and then reflect it toward the person looking at the diamond. The lighter the diamond reflects from its facets, the more attractive it will typically look.
ENGAGEMENT RINGS
Stunning, eye-catching and truly inspiring, these engagement rings each have their own unique styles: bling, double halo, single halo and solitaire.
