Various Diamond Shapes
Round Brilliant
For nearly a century, the round brilliant cut has been the most popular and researched diamond shape, and the most complex shape to cut.
The round brilliant cut originated in 1919. Marcel Tolkowsky, a Belgian diamond cutter, took into account the refraction of light and the spectral theory that affects the reflection of light. He accurately calculated the perfect cutting ratio and symmetry. There are a total of 57-58 facets that give diamonds brilliance and fire. More than any other shapes, round brilliant has become the diamond shape that millions of people wear on their ring fingers.
The main feature of round brilliant cut diamonds is that they generally shows more sparkles which can mask the lower graded color and clarity. In Hong Kong, nearly 90% of customers go for round brilliant cut diamonds. It should be noted that under the same weight, round diamonds would appear larger visually than any other diamond shapes, and the price is relatively higher.
Princess
Among the non-round diamonds, the most popular is the princess cut. Its beautiful brilliance and unique cut make it often used in the choice of engagement rings. The princess-cut has sharp corners and is traditionally square or rectangular.
Princess cut was launched in the 1980s. It consists of 76 facets. The design is more modern, and the brightness is no less than that of round brilliant diamonds. As for the shape, princess cut is more unique and fashionable.
It should be noted that a princess-cut diamond with a lower color grade will have a more concentrated color at its sharp corners, so it is recommended customers who choose a princess-cut diamond should go for a higher color grade.
Emerald
Emeralds are one of the most classic cuts, which usually being rectangular.
The biggest difference between emerald-cuts and other diamond shapes is its large open pavilion. Cut into rectangular facets that create a unique optical appearance.
Compared with other shapes, emerald-cut diamonds are surrounded by step-cut facets on all four sides, which is more classical and elegant.
Since inclusions, external blemishes and color are all visible on the large, smooth table of an emerald-cut diamond, high-grade color and clarity are especially important when choosing an emerald-cut diamond.
Cushion
Cushion-shaped diamonds are a long-established and popular diamond shape in which its unique shape was much admired before the introduction of round brilliant cut.
Cushion-shaped diamonds come in different ratios, ranging from square to rectangular, with rounded corners and larger facets that accentuate the brilliance of the round brilliant diamonds.
Cushion-shaped diamonds are similar to radiant diamonds, with an average and consistent color, making them a popular choice for fancy-colored diamonds. However, large facets can make inclusions and blemishes more visible, so customers who love cushion-shaped diamonds should choose a high clarity grade.
Pear
Pear-shaped diamonds are also known as teardrop-shaped diamonds due to the combination of a single tip and a rounded base. When wearing it, point its sharp corner toward the fingertips, you can skillfully make your fingers look more slender and elegant. And its unique shape is often used on drop earrings.
The way a pear-shaped diamond is cut makes it possible for a bow-tie shadow to appear at the bottom of its center, known as the “bow-tie effect”, and the smaller the bow-tie shadow, the better.
The most common pear-shaped diamonds have a length-to-width ratio between 1.4-1.6.
Heart
Except the rounds, the heart-shaped diamond is the most widely sought after by couples. Since the heart shape exudes a romantic temperament and is the best symbol of love, it is very suitable for marriage proposals or expressions of love.
This shape is derived from the round brilliant cut, with complete symmetry, even curvature and neat openings. The color of heart-shaped diamonds is concentrated at the corners, so it is better to choose a diamond with a high color grade.
Heart-shaped diamonds generally have a length-to-width ratio between 0.80-0.95.
Oval
The characteristic of an oval diamond is that it has the same design concept as a round brilliant diamond, but its elongated shape can better highlight the slenderness of the fingers.
Although this cutting method will add brilliance to the diamond like a round brilliant diamond, but if it is not precisely cut, an oval-shaped diamond is likely to have a bowtie-like shadow at the center base, known as the “bow tie effect”.
The length-to-width ratio of an oval-cut diamond is usually between 1.33 and 1.66.
Marquise
Marquise diamonds is said to be derived from Marquise de Pompadour, the mistress of King Louis XV of France, because its shape is based on her cherry lips as the blueprint.
Marquise diamonds appear larger than they actually are because of their elongated shape. The length of the marquise diamond makes the finger appear slender, and is usually flanked by side stones to accentuate its slender shape.
Like some other fancy-cut diamonds, marquise diamonds may have a bow tie effect. This pattern usually runs through the widest part of the diamond along the center of the table. The better the cut, the smaller the bow tie should be for a marquise diamond.
Marquise diamonds usually have a length-to-width ratio between 1.75 and 2.25.
Asscher
The appearance of the asscher diamond is very similar to the emerald-cut. Except that the asscher diamond is square in shape, has larger stepped facets, and the corners are more obvious. The color of an Asscher diamond will be more conspicuous at the corners, which means that a diamond with a higher color grade should be selected.
This shape can better highlight the clarity of the diamond, it is also more reflective than emerald-cut diamonds, the fire is more dazzling, and the workmanship is elegant and noble.
Radiant
At first glance, a radiant diamond resembles an emerald-cut diamond in appearance, but its crown and pavilion have a mix of step and brilliant cuts that give it more brilliance than an emerald-cut.
The main feature of radiant diamonds is the straightened corners. Radiant diamonds are also very beautiful with the setting of rectangular or round side stones. Their unique shape will improve the color grade visually.
Radiant diamonds have a common length-to-width ratio between 1.00 and 1.40.
