Cut

This term is used to describe the shape or outline of a diamond’s front, when used in context with the jewellery industry. Advance cutting technology, combined with the increasingly innovative minds of jewellery designers led to the development of new diamond shapes. Each cut does not merely dictate the shape of the gemstone, as there are issues concerning the properties of the diamond that such shapes give rise to.

You should come across these common diamond shapes within our substantial range of diamond rings at Yellobox.

Round Brilliant - This cut accounts for 75% of all diamond gemstones today. It subsequently is the most common, particularly in relation to engagement rings. The shape represents the highest advances in diamond cutting, offering brilliance and stability with 58 facets.

The Round cut is the modern classic for diamonds yet there are several other common shapes. These are collectively referred to as ‘Fancy Cuts’:

Marquise - This cut is a variation of the 58 facet Round cut in which the outline is boat-shaped as each end come to a point. These pointed ends mean that this shape is the most fragile and the most expensive of brilliant style cuts. The Marquise takes its name from a French noblewoman and is currently popular in engagement rings.

Pear - This tear-drop shaped cut represents a cross between the Round Brilliant and the Marquise. It consequently is cut to maximize brilliance and at the same times has issues with fragility at the pointed end, like the Marquise. The pear is less expensive than the Marquise although makes a beautiful and equally distinguished ring. It is particularly well suited to a woman with a petite hand or short fingers.

Princess - This shape of diamond is very eye-catching with many sparkling facets. The Princess is very fashionable and contemporary and constitutes one of the newest choices for engagement rings. The sparkle of this cut does not dull as quickly as other cuts and it especially enhances the hand with long fingers.

Emerald - This is the most expensive shape of all cut diamonds- good clarity and colour is essential with this shape and therefore there are few emerald-cut diamonds in the lower grades. It contains a steep cut creating steps of elongated facets. These fewer facets of the Emerald cut, distract the naked eye from any inclusions (see Clarity) however there is less brilliance when compared to diamond cuts.

Radiant - This cut originated in the 1970’s congruent with the objective of applying the brilliancy of the Round cut to a rectangular diamond. As a whole, it consists of the brilliant round-like cut facets at the bottom with the emerald-like step cut at the top. Therefore, the resulting advantage is sheer brilliance with the emerald cut characteristic of showing off the colour of the diamond.

Trillion - Developed later in the 1970’s, this cut is an adaptation of the Radiant cut in a triangular shape. Similarly, it contains a combination of the step cut and brilliant cut. When cut properly, the Trillion has wonderful brilliance and often tends to look larger than its carat weight. These diamonds look very effective on either side of a central diamond on a ring or as a matched pair of earrings.

Heart - This shape is most similar to the Pear cut, except with a crevice at the top. In this way it offers brilliance like the Round and Marquise yet these conditions depend on the cutter’s ability to create a stone with an even shape and well-defined contours. Evidently, it is the most romantic of all the diamond cuts.

Oval - Based on the brilliant cut, the Oval is elliptical in appearance. Similar, to the Pear, this cut is effective for woman with a petite hand or short fingers, due to the illusion of length this shape of gemstone provides.

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