Diamonds are hot favorites all over the world not only because of their dazzling beauty, but also because they are so versatile; they look good on anyone and match everything. Diamonds come in many styles and varieties, called cuts. The value of a diamond in terms of price and popularity depends on the various cuts. The more popular cuts are more expensive than the less popular cuts. This is because the cut of the diamond enhances its beauty. So, you can see two diamonds of equal weight but cut differently with a price difference of hundreds of dollars.
The most popular cut in diamonds is the round cut. When diamonds are cut to look like circles they sparkle brightly. A round brilliant cut is one of the most expensive cuts of diamond. Round cut diamonds are very popular on engagement rings because they look beautiful as part of a multi-stone ring or as a solitaire. The round cut diamond looks nice on practically any hand.
The princess cut is of marginal popularity. It looks good as a solitaire or in a three-stone setting with smaller princess cut diamonds on either side of a large diamond. A princess cut looks like a square and can be faceted to sparkle. Rings made with princess cut diamonds tend to make fingers look shorter and stubbier, so they are not the right choice for those with already short fingers. Those with long fingers can wear a princess cut without any hesitation whatsoever.
One of the least expensive of cuts for diamonds is the emerald cut. It costs a lot less than a round brilliant diamond. Emerald cut looks like a rectangle, and is cut to appear layered. It gets its name because this is the way emeralds have always been cut. The emerald, being softer than the diamond, often got fractured in the process of cutting. Then the experts discovered that the emerald could be cut in a special way to preserve its integrity. This gave emeralds more life, and it became fashionable to wear emeralds. Soon it was discovered that diamonds could also be cut in this fashion, and the cut was called the emrald cut.
Diamonds with a marquis cut look like thin ovals with pointed ends. This cut makes the fingers look longer and adds elegance to any hand. This cut is already more popular than the emerald cut. It is usually worn as a solitaire or as the center of a multi-stone ring. However, if all the stones are not marquis cut, a multi-stone ring with something else as the center looks odd with marquis side stones.
There are other styles of diamonds also such as baguette and pave, which are mainly used for side stones to provide accents. Once you know what type of cut you like, and what enhances the beauty of your hand, you can get a ring set with your favorite cut diamonds.
When grading and appraising gemstones, cut may not be as influential as the other C's like color, clarity, and carat weight, but it is definitely an influencing factor when it comes to the gemstones overall beauty. To properly evaluate the cut of a given gemstone, you must not only study the face-up view or the surface or top view but study it from all other angles as well. An excellent cut can reduce loss on carat weight but enhance its looks to breathtaking proportions at the same time.
Common Cuts Used on Gemstones:-
Brilliant Cuts A brilliant-cut gemstone usually has three flat polished surfaces per facet. They are positioned in such a way to radiate the best light from the gemstone. Gemstone cutters also make sure that the angles will enhance the brilliance of the gemstone. Brilliant cuts are mostly used for diamonds and transparent gemstones.
Some facets will have one or more shapes like stars, hearts, kites, and lozenges. Variations of the brilliant cut include the naivet or boat-shaped marquise, pear-shaped pendeloque, and oval shape. Oval shapes are suitable for gemstones with lower carat weight because they can make them appear bigger.
The most popular variation of all is the full-cut round brilliant. It has fifty-eight facets, presently the greatest count for brilliant cut gemstones. The single brilliant cut, on the other hand, has seventeen to eighteen facets. For gemstones used in earrings and pendants, the briolette variation is mostly used to provide it with circular cross-section teardrop shapes. Brilliant cuts with triangular dimensions are called trilliants while square brilliant cuts are also known as princess cuts.
Step Cuts Another popular cut for a gemstone is the step or trap cut. Step cuts are best used for colored gemstones because they possess four-sided table facets and girdles as well as parallel quadrilateral facets. The term step cut was used because this gemstone cut bears similarities with a staircase. Step cuts have fewer facets than brilliant cuts.
One well-known variation of a step cut is the baguette. It is rectangular in shape but with square corners. Emerald cuts are also quite popular. Its name was derived from its consistent use with emeralds. Emerald cuts remove the corners and form an octagonal shape. Clipping off the corners protect delicate gemstones like emeralds and facilitate setting of gemstones at the same time. Other popular variations for step cuts are window, table, radiant, and oval.
The best advantage of step cuts is its ability to enhance a gemstones color, making the color richer and appearing to have originated straight form the belly of the gemstone.
Mixed Cuts Mixed cuts for gemstones are mostly combinations of brilliant and step cuts. The crown or top portion of a gemstone will resemble a brilliant cut while the pavilion or bottom portion of a gemstone will receive a step cut. At times, the two cuts will appear side by side. Mixed cuts are also characterized by their rounded outlines. Many transparent gemstones like rubies and sapphires are often cut this way. Gemstones with mixed cuts are also commonly set in prongs.
Variations for mixed cuts include but are not limited to cushion, zircut, pear or teardrop, and oval.
Cabochon Cuts A gemstone with a cabochon cut will appear rounded on top and flat on the bottom. At times, gemstones will only appear in this cut. Height of a gemstones dome with a cabochon cut varies. The name is derived from the French term used for bald heads. Cabochon cuts are simplest to make, and that is why you will often see them used on affordable gemstones and those that will not benefit from faceting.
Fancy Cuts Any other cut besides those mentioned above is usually referred to as fancy. A checkerboard cut, for instance, will have a combination of a large table facet on top and a mixed cut. A rose cut will have a round girdle outline, flat base, dome-shaped crown, and facets of a brilliant cut.
When judging the cut of a gemstone, start by evaluating it face up. See if the gemstone shows uniform color distribution and radiates light in the best possible way. Gemstones cut with large windows are unappealing. Lastly, recheck all other angles and determine if the cut took both carat weight and looks into consideration.
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