- 1-905-452-8193
- Contact Us
- Member Login
- Get Listed Today
- 220,911 members
Few pieces of jewelry ignite the sparkle and elegance of a diamond ring. When designing the perfect diamond ring, one of the most important considerations is choosing the diamond cut. The cut showcases a diamond’s fire, brilliance and scintillation unlike any other feature.
Cut represents one piece of the 4 C’s system grading diamond quality with Color, Clarity and Carat weight. But a diamond’s cut proportion ranks as the sole characteristic controlled by human hands. Mastered by skilled craftsmen, ideal cuts unleash full dazzling potential from rough, unpolished stones.
While round reigns in popularity, diamond rings feature diverse cuts catering to varied personal styles. Explore the alluring profiles and silhouette options below to discover your perfect diamond match. Let us decode cuts so you can select your forever-cherished center stone with confidence.
A diamond’s cut indicates skilled crafting and proportions applied by diamond cutters. Based on mathematical calculations, cutters carefully hand-facet rough diamonds into stunning final shapes.
Well-cut diamonds showcase desirable visual performance qualities. Light internally reflects and refracts outward emanating fire, brilliance and scintillation. Fire describes flashing rainbow colors. Brilliance refers to bright white light. Scintillation means sparkling when moved.
Several factors determine ideal cut angles and facets to optimize these light dynamics. Proportions including depth percentages, girdle thinness, culet size, optical symmetry and Polish polish/symmetry carry great weight when assigning a diamond its Cut grade.
Grading reports assess cut quality on scales from Excellent to Poor. Top GIA Excellent and AGS Ideal graded diamonds maximize visual light potential according to science. An Excellent symmetry and Polish grade ensures highest fire and brilliance shows through the top.
The round brilliant cut diamond has reigned supreme for over a century. But today’s diamond market embraces daring, uniquely shaped center stones. Explore the personality and shine effects behind these chic modern cuts.
Round Brilliant
Round brilliant diamonds make up majority market share due to their dazzling optics and versatility within setting styles. A round’s 57 precisely aligned facets amplify its refractive white light flashes. Symmetry creates balanced brilliance perceivable from every angle.
Suitability for a range of precious and alternative metal settings affords flexible styling. Round solitaires and multi-stone rings keep tradition alive. Pavé bands and halo designs supply limitless sparkle framing classic rounds.
Princess cut diamonds form the second most popular brilliant square or rectangular shape. Not quite square, principals flaunt either rounded or pointed corners. Defined chevron lines crisscrossing from four beveled sides elicit a stunning brilliance factor.
The princess demands eyes take notice of her stately presence. Set in simple solitaire engagement rings, the princess projects regal elegance. Surround colorful variants in a halo frame or geometric surround for contemporary edge. Bold princesses dazzle eternity bands or east-west rings.
Oval cut diamonds make elongated center stones appear larger due to their curvaceous shape. An oval brilliant combines round and marquise facets that play with light uniquely. The oval cut evokes a romantic, vintage allure within intricate halo and vine settings.
Cushion cut diamonds
The cushion cut combines round shape with cusped corners resembling a pillow. Cushion cut diamonds date back to early diamond days. Contemporary cushions integrate old mine and rose cuts with modern brilliance model elements. The cushion cut casts rainbow-like light flashes for center stage grandeur.
Emerald cut diamonds
As the name implies, emerald cut diamonds feature dramatic facets styled after emerald gemstones. Rectangular step-cut faces result in hall-of-mirror effects showcasing crystal clarity. Linear facets emanate immense brilliance against darker backgrounds.
The emerald cut projects Art Deco elegance and sophistication within bezel and split-shank settings. Accented by baguette side stones, emerald cuts feel graphic and clean. Vintage designs incorporate smaller emeralds for nouveau deco allure.
Asscher cut diamonds
Asscher cuts resemble emerald cousins with defining octagonal facets mimicking pine cones. Originally created in 1902 by the Asscher Brothers of Holland, this noble gem makes quite the geometric statement.
Tight precision cutting allows light entry producing incredible brilliance flashes. The Asscher fits classic to contemporary setting designs for stone movement and edge. Showcase peaked Asscher tips in tension rings, east-west rings or regal floral halo frames.
Radiant cut diamonds
The radiant cut merges princess and round brilliance with cropped corner edges. Triangle facets trimmed at sides create the crisscross chevron effect on dynamic display. Pair the trimmed square-like shape with filigree or split-shank settings in rose or white metals.
Pear cut diamonds
Pear cuts combine round brilliance with one delicate tapered point, resembling a raindrop. Wheat grain-inspired triangular facets foster intense light flash patterns in an elongated teardrop silhouette. The pear cut glows within floral halo designs on a curve band.
The ultimate romantic token, heart shaped diamonds unleash symbolic magic. An evenly aligned heart cut ensures symmetrical facets and tips to safeguard its precious nature. Tiny heart side stones lead up to one dreamy center jewel.
Wear it in a dainty solitaire, embellished halo or lightweight diamond-wrapped band. Two heart-shaped diamonds encased together profess affection most ardently.
Cut grades judge how precisely a diamond falls within ideal parameters to optimize sparkle. Top tier cut grades align with proper depth level and table percentages, superior optical symmetry and exemplary polish. Excellent and Very Good signify maximum light performance.
Good grades still qualify as quality cuts with over sixty-five facets and sufficient depth measurements. Stars, points and culet impact some brilliance yet acceptable. Fair and Poor rarely appear on grading reports unless extremely windowed or dark.
Cut proportions hold greatest influence over diamond ring beauty. Even clouds and some inclusions inside high-grade cut stones get drowned out by extreme fire shows. Light travels freely through precise angles and planes regardless of lower colors or clarities.
However, diamonds with the highest colorlessness, flawless clarity and carat weights demand Excellent or Ideal cut grades to justify top pricing. Compromising cut for size only disappoints design dreams. But an ideal precision cut transforms low-ranked diamonds into jaw-droppers. Let Cut lead, and the rest will awe.
Align diamond cuts with settings properly accentuating their shape. Round, princess and Asscher cuts project maximum brilliance when set simply as solitaires. Halo designs surround Cushion, Oval, Pear and Heart cuts with gleaming metal and smaller diamonds to play up their curves.
Showcase Emerald’s sleek linear beauty within double or triple split-shanked settings. Trapezoid Side stones and interlocking bands keeps the rectangular shape visually balanced. Surround Radiant and Princess cuts in east-west bands aligning tapered baguettes horizontally along the sides.
Pavé rendered magnificently tiny melee diamonds frame brilliant cuts with ethereal sparkle. Place statement emerald cuts in four-prong settings allowing inward facets full exposure. Make pear and heart tips glow against open-worked gallery backs.
Handle all diamond cuts with care to avoid scratches and damage. Diamond hardness resists breakage but not hefty impacts cracking facets or loosening prongs. Avoid chemicals and take off rings when cleaning or performing manual tasks.
Clean diamonds using professional steam tools, ultrasonic machines or mild soap solutions. Yearly inspections ensure prongs and threads remain secure, holding your precious cuts comfortably in place. Proper care keeps every cut dazzling through daily adventures and once-in-a-lifetime romantic moments.
When selecting a diamond ring, cut reigns as most critical decision. Masterful cuts unleash optimal light performance illuminating stones with mesmerizing fire and brilliance. Although Round Brilliant cuts retain mainstream appeal, alternate shapes now rule from Oval and Radiant to Cushion and Emerald silhouettes.
While fancy shapes seem trend-forward, well-cut diamonds feel timeless and transformative. Match unique diamond cuts with equally inspired ring designs showcasing their elegance. Then cherish precious cuts daily through lifelong wearing and caring best practices. For the honor of gracing her hand eternally, no diamond center stone deserves less than an excellent cut.
