Diamond Cuts & Shapes

Chase Your Jeweler

Diamond Cuts

At Chase Your Jeweler, we provide you with the facts. In the diamond world, there are three principal diamond cuts. As a diamond buyer, you must become familiar with them when you embark on the purchasing process. These cuts are “Mixed,” “Step,” and “Brilliant.” Let’s go ahead and review them down below.

Step-Cut Diamonds

These cuts have renown formatting of 8 edges that line up throughout the sides of the diamond. Those eight edges ride up to the center of the jewel piece forming a pyramid-like shape that pleases the eye. Step-cut diamonds possess facets bigger than the other style of cuts. Furthermore, its style creates a gentle reflection that mimics a beautiful “hall of mirrors” because of the steps. Most step-cut diamonds include Baguettes, Asscher, and Emeralds.

Mixed-Cut Diamonds

Let’s talk about how a mixed-cut style cut is a literal combination of brilliant and step-cut designs. When we analyze the mix-style, we’ll notice that the pavilion of the diamond portrays a step-cut, while the table shows a brilliant style of design. In terms of age, a mixed-cut is younger in comparison to the other two. However, its modern and fresh design has made it a very acclaimed version by diamond buyers.

Brilliant-Cut Diamonds

Perhaps one of the most alluring styles is the “brilliant-cut” diamond. Its popular look derives from the unbelievable shine of its multiple surfaces (facets). Brilliant-cut diamonds possess 57 to 58 facets, thus providing a beautiful shine and glisten. Furthermore, these cuts have a rounded shape which gives them an ideal symmetry. Brilliant-cut diamonds adapt perfectly to any style, whether it be antique or contemporary. Due to its original design and powerful gleam, it is the number one choice for diamond buyers & sellers.

Diamond Shapes

When we talk about diamond cuts and shapes, the grand majority of individuals tend to place both things into the same category. Doing this however, is a misconception and a big mistake. The diamond shape is a separate concept that needs to be thoroughly reviewed on its own. Let’s take a closer look down below.

Rounded shaped-diamonds

You might be surprised to know that a “round” shape is the most sought-after style of diamond by buyers and sellers. In terms of sheer numbers, round shape diamonds make up about three-quarters of all sold diamonds across the globe. One can mention that all diamonds give out a tremendous gleam, yet these rounded-shaped pieces are the most brilliant to the rest.
If you don’t believe us, take it from Polish engineer Marcel Tolkowsky. In his 1919 publication “A Study of the Reflection and Refraction of Light in a Diamond,” Tolkowsky talks about the connection between diamond proportions, their angles, and how these affect light. In his study, he concluded that round diamonds gave out the most powerful shine. Even more so, his work contributed to the popularity of round shaped diamonds.

Princess-Style Diamonds

The Princess-style diamond is known to be the most bombastic and classy shape known to experts. Its format includes an inverted pyramid style as well as a square in shape. However, there are times where this diamond can show a rectangular look as well. On the brilliance meter, a Princess diamond stands above the rest but still below the Rounded diamond.

Oval-Shaped Diamonds

The oval style diamond made its first appearance in the early 1960s. In terms of appearance, it is very similar to the rounded-brilliant yet still unique in size. Its elongated shape causes it to look bigger than other styles of similar cut and size.

Marquise-Shaped Diamonds

The rounded-brilliant cut diamond has many versions regarding its shape and the Marquise is one of them! Its origin dates to the time of King Louis XIV who ordered the creation of a diamond resembling the look and shape of his lover’s lips. Its slick and extended shape causes it to appear larger in size than other diamonds of similar width.

Pear-Shaped Diamonds

The appearance of the pear-shaped diamond has a pointed end on one end and rounded on the other. Due to etiquette, the pointed side must be facing away from the body when worn. The cuts of these diamonds must uphold precise symmetry and bring out their best features. For that reason, Pear-shaped diamonds possess wide or slender cuts. Just like the Marquise, the Pear is another version of the rounded brilliant diamond.

Cushion-Shaped Diamonds

The Cushion shaped diamond is a conglomerate of both round and square cuts. Its general shape happens to be square but it must have round edges that mimic the design of a cushion. This style of a diamond can be classified as vintage and it emits intense light patterns from modern styled cuts. Cushion-shaped diamonds are produced in modern, standard, and modified versions.

Emerald-Shaped Diamond

It is no surprise that emerald cut diamond mimics the view of a real emerald. The diamond steps rise up from its pavilion thus forming a smooth, leveled-like surface at the top of the diamond. Even though the emerald cut is not as fiery as some of its rivals, it shoots out strong flashes of light that create a memorable and distinctive pattern.

Assher-Shaped Diamond

The Asscher style diamond’s creation dates back to 1902 only to become fashionable by the mid 1920s. Due to popular demand, we can now say that it has made a resounding comeback. Its qualities resemble a modern cut that is shinier than its traditional competitors.

Radiant-Style Diamond

The radiant diamond is a truly dazzling beauty. On our “shine-bright like a diamond” scale, it ranks second in brilliance only behind the round brilliant diamond. Its shine is caused by several facets surrounding its pavilion and crown. This type of diamond is square-shaped and has either squared or rounded corners.

The Heart Diamond

The heart shaped diamond is another version of the round brilliant cut. When we talk about the heart diamond, we must always remember that symmetry is its most important feature. Specifically, both halves of the heart must always be identical and have a sharp meeting point. Although it is an extravagant style, its shape is dependent on the carat size. So simply put, the smaller the carat, the less exclusive the shape will be. The heart diamond represents love and care.

Trillion-Style Diamond

The trillion shaped diamond is named for its triangular shape and is among some of the the brilliant cuts on the market. However, it is different in comparison to the classic look. As a diamond buyer, you should be aware that a Trillion-Cut can be used as a main stone but diamond etiquette tells that it should be mostly used as an accent. Just like the others we’ve mentioned, it appears larger than most stones of a similar size.

Baguette-Style Diamonds

Similar to the emerald cut, the baguette shaped diamond can be rectangular or square as well. It is made with fourteen parallel facets arranged like steps. By doing so, it gives the diamond a lower grade than some of its competitors, making it cheaper and more accessible to the diamond buyer.

Sheer Numbers

Shape	Cut Style	Length: Width Rectangle	Length: Width Square	Length: Width Common
ROUND	Brilliant			1.0:1.03
PRINCESS	Mixed	+1.10	1.0:1.05
CUSHION	Brilliant	+1.15	1.0:1.05
PEAR	Brilliant			1.45:1.75
OVAL	Brilliant			1.33:1.66
ASSCHER	Step			1.0:1.05
EMERALD	Step			1.30:1.40
RADIANT	Mixed	+1.10	1.0:1.05
HEART	Brilliant			1.90:1.10
MARQUISE	Brilliant			1.70:2.25
TRILLION	Brilliant			1.0:1.10
BAGUETTE	Step			1.50:2.40

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