Diamond Shapes
Brilliant Cut: Shape Round from top view
The most popular of all cuts the brilliant in its Ideal proportions is designed to give maximum scintillation, beauty and fire. It is comprised of 58 facets; the Brilliant cut follows more naturally the rough diamond crystal shape, and thus is most popular for cutting due to the beauty it returns, please see proportions for a complete explanation of why proportions for a round brilliant are so important for beauty and price.
Princess Cut: Shape is square from top view
The princess is one of the most popular fancy diamond shapes. The proportions are considered better the more square the stone is cut, with exact 90 degree internal angle on each corner; princess cut diamonds can also be slightly rectangle in shape.
Acceptable are: Length to Width ratio 1-1.4:1
Oval Cut: Shape elliptical from top view
The oval cut is also a particularly beautiful shape and if well proportioned gives great scintillation and fire. A well cut oval diamond can be almost as bright as a well cut Brilliant or round shaped diamond as the angles for cutting are closer to that of a brilliant cut diamond.
Acceptable are: Length to Width ratio 1.5-1.75:1
Heart Cut: Shape is Heart from top view
The heart shape is one of those special cuts that follow more human and emotional values. The technical benefit is that a heart shape diamond has a roundish pavilion and if well cut and proportioned can drive the sparkle and scintillation back out of the diamond.
Marquise Cut: Shape Marquise of football shape top view
The Marquise is a slender striking cut if well proportioned popular for up market designer pieces. The shape lends it self to being visually bigger with a bigger table spread for carat weight than traditional cuts, it has a line of beauty that can be used running up and down the finger.
Acceptable are: Length to Width ratio 1.75-2.25:1
Emerald Cut: Shape like a rectangle with corners cut off, top view
The Emerald Cut is a very bold and sold feeling cut. The Emerald cut uses a series of flat rectangular facets stepping down off the table to give it a unique brilliance, quite different to that of a Round or curved shaped cut.
Acceptable are: Length to Width ratio 1.25-1.75:1
Trilliant Cut: The shape is like a triangle top view
One of the more unusual cuts the trilliant displays a very sharp brilliance or fire if the diamond is cut to the correct depth allowing good scintillation. Excellent for Shoulder diamonds accompany a square or rectangular shaped diamond.
Acceptable are: Length to Width ratio 1:1
Pear Cut: The Shape is Pear top view
The pear is another popular fancy cut it uses the base of a brilliant or round cut and extends it self to point , if well proportioned it gives a depth of scintillation to the point of the stone. A benefit in design if a longer look is required.
Acceptable are: Length to Width ratio 1.5-1.7:1
Radiant Cut: Similar to a rectangle or square with the corners cut off top view
The Radiant can either be cut as a square or rectangle. The Radiant has a strong look with a unique type sparkle, differing from Emerald and Princess Cuts.
Acceptable are; For Rectangle Length to Width ratio 1.5:1
Curved Trilliant Cut: Rounded Trilliant top view
A softer look than the straight edge trilliant , a more unusual cut for a diamond , a bold fattish looking shape, deep and strong appearance , three soft points, three lines of curvature , nice if well proportioned.
Acceptable are: Length to Width ratio 1.1 to 1
Baguette Cut: Rectangle shape top view
Coming from the French bread stick. The Baguette may be Cut long or more emerald shaped in proportions. As a main stone the proportions should be more like a rectangle shape. The Baguette is for those people who want a long stone, usually used are small baguettes to accompany different shaped diamonds. Unusual in Larger sizes.
Acceptable are: Length to Width ratio 1.5.-2.5:1
Tapered Baguette Cut: Rectangle shape or Tapered Rectangle top view
Coming from the French bread stick. The Baguette may be Cut long or more emerald shaped in proportions. As a main stone the proportions should be more like a rectangle shape. The Baguette is for those people who want a long stone, usually used are small baguettes to accompany different shaped diamonds. Unusual in Larger sizes.
Acceptable are: Length to Width ratio 1.5.-2.5:1
Asscher Cut: Top view can be square to rectangle with an octagon eight sided look, the more square the better, but in some cases a longish stone can have a great beauty.
Joseph Asscher was an eminent diamond cutter who cut the 3,106 carat Cullinan diamond. Asscher worked in Amsterdam. In 1902, his company, the Asscher Diamond Co., developed and patented the Asscher cut, a squarish step cut with an almost octagonal outline. This new cut enhanced the fire and light of the stone; it had a small table, a high crown, wide step facets, a deep pavilion and square culet. This cut became very popular in Art Deco jewelry and was a forerunner of the emerald cut. Recently, the Royal Asscher Diamond Co. resumed production of the original Asscher cut diamonds.
Acceptable are: Length to Width ratio 1-1.4:1
