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Diamond Cuts and Shapes

Virtually all diamond cuts and shapes sold for use in jewelry are one of ten round or fancy diamond shapes. The most popular diamond shapes are:
round shaped diamond

ROUND SHAPED DIAMONDThe round cut diamond is the most popular diamond shape. Round cut diamonds make up approximately 3/4 of all diamonds sold. The round diamond's shape generally does a better job reflecting light than most of the other diamond shapes, thus its popularity.

Princess Cut diamond

PRINCESS CUT DIAMONDThe princess cut diamond is a fairly recent creation. First developed in 1980, it is currently the most popular of the fancy cut diamonds. This cut is particularly very popular in engagement rings. The princess cut diamond is very easy to incorporate into many styles of ring, and thus it is a very popular cut for a wide variety of applications.

oval cut diamond

OVAL Cut DIAMONDOval cut diamonds are a modified brilliant-cut diamond, as are round cut diamonds. In fact, round and oval cut diamonds both possess similar characteristics of fire and brilliance. One of the main advantages of an oval cut diamond is that due to its shape, it can often create an appearance of greater size for its weight.

marquise cut diamond

MARQUISE CUT DIAMONDMarquise Cut Diamond Similar to the oval cut diamond, the marquise cut diamond is a modified brilliant-cut. The difference is the pointed ends of the marquise diamond, making its shape more elongated. However, the perception of increased size created in the oval cut diamond is similar to the effect obtained by the marquise cut. Another advantage of the marquise cut is its large surface area for its weight. This cut optimizes the appearance of size.

pear shaped diamond

PEAR SHAPED DIAMONDAnother modified brilliant-cut diamond, the pear shaped diamond, is a hybrid between a round cut and a marquise cut diamond. One end of the oblong shape is curved like the round diamond, while the other end tapers to a point as in the marquise diamond. Symmetry is usually a sought-after condition in the pear-shaped cut, wherein the center of the rounded end is directly across the center of the stone from the point at the other end.

cushion cut diamond

CUSHION CUT DIAMONDThe cushion cut diamond is basically a square cut diamond with rounded corners, therefore giving the diamond its signature cushion shape. This cut is one of the older cuts of diamond, and indeed it used to be one of the most popular cuts, as popular 200 years ago as the round cut is today. The cushion cut is regaining interest and popularity of late. >

emerald cut diamond

EMERALD CUT DIAMONDThe emerald cut diamond is characterized by a large, open table. The facets in the emerald cut diamond are a step cut, which are cut parallel to the table, giving the emerald diamond its unique look and interesting effect. While most brilliant-cut diamonds sparkle, the emerald cut produces an interplay of dark and light spaces. Due to the large table of the emerald cut, it is often easier to see imperfections and inclusions in an emerald cut diamond than in other diamond cuts.

asscher cut diamond

ASSCHER CUT DIAMONDSimilar to the emerald cut diamond, the asscher cut diamond has its facets cut parallel to the table, but the difference is that the asscher cut is a square cut diamond with greater gradations between the facets to produce a smaller table and a higher crown. The asscher cut therefore often displays more brilliancy than the emerald cut.

heart shaped diamond

HEART SHAPED DIAMONDThe modified brilliant-cut heart shaped diamond is a unique cut, usually popular in solitaire pendants and rings. Heart shaped diamonds less than .50 carats may not be a good choice, since the heart shape is more difficult to perceive in smaller diamonds, especially after they are set in prongs. >

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