Whether you’re buying a diamond engagement ring or just looking to upgrade your current one, knowing the different types of diamond cuts&diamond shapes will help you find the perfect cut for your budget and style. There are a variety of styles to choose from, including classic shapes like round and princess cuts, as well as more exotic options like baguettes, bullets, half moons and trillions.
The 4Cs: Cut, Color, Clarity and Carat Weight
Often known as the “four Cs,” these characteristics are the most important aspects of any diamond. They directly impact the sparkle and brilliance of a stone, so it’s essential that you know them before you buy a diamond ring or any other piece of jewelry.
The cut of a diamond refers to how the rough crystal has been shaped by the cutter and polished to create a brilliant, luminous gem. The cut also directly impacts the way light enters and reflects from the diamond.
Types of Cutters & Shapes
The most popular shape of diamond is the round brilliant, but there are many others available to choose from. The most common are round, princess, and cushion cuts, but the choice of shape depends on your personal taste and the setting you’re going to wear it in.
If you’re looking for a more symmetrical, squared-off look, try a cushion cut, which blends the energy of a round brilliant with the symmetry of a radiant cut. If you prefer a vintage feel, opt for a princess cut or an asscher cut.
Another popular option is an emerald-cut diamond, which combines the sleek angularity of a step cut with the brilliance of a radiant cut. This cut can highlight higher-quality diamonds while hiding any inclusions that might be present.
There are a few other diamond shapes that have earned their reputations for being timeless and elegant, like the heart shape or the marquise shape. These shapes are ideal for showcasing a large center diamond or a smaller side diamond, and they’re easy to pair with any other type of gem in the setting you choose.
When shopping for a diamond, it’s best to ask your jeweler for the diamond’s specific cut grade and GIA certification number. This information will allow you to see the stone’s symmetry, proportions, and polish so that you can make an informed decision about what diamond cut would be best for your budget and style.
A poor cut will lose much of the diamond’s brilliance and reflectivity. A good diamond cut, on the other hand, will maximize a stone’s natural sparkle and reflectivity by creating the most symmetrical and evenly distributed facets possible.
The diamond cutter’s job is to use their skill to determine the best way to hide any flaws or imperfections in a rough diamond. They need to choose a shape that will maximize the fire and brilliance of the stone while maximizing its value as much as possible.
