10 Most popular Diamond Cuts
Do you know the difference between a princess cut diamond and emerald cut diamond? No, than let me introduce you to the 10 most popular diamond cuts on the market today. Each of the different diamond cuts have their own unique personality, distinctive shape and price tag. Are you a traditional girl? Perhaps the ever popular round cut is the perfect choice for you. What about modern? Then maybe the clean lines of the Accsher cut diamond will win you over. Or are you having difficulty deciding between the beautiful lines of the Emerald cut and the brilliance and fire of the round cut? Then the radiant cut diamond might be for you with best of both worlds.
**As an important side note, diamond cut, in the 4cs (color, cut, clarity and carat) does not refer to the shape of the diamond but instead the diamond's facets and proportions. These are the elements that give diamonds their fire and brilliance. What we will be referring to as "diamond cut" in this blog is the actual geometric shape of the diamond.
1. Round Cut Diamond
Having only existed for the past 100 years or so, the 58 faceted brilliant cut round diamond is the most popular diamond cut. It makes up about 75% of all diamonds sold on today's market. Because of its shape the round diamond has the most fire and brilliance of all the diamond cuts. Round diamonds often cost more per carat than their fancy cut counterparts for two reasons. First, the demand for round diamonds is very high and secondly, more rough stone is lost during the cutting process than in any of the other cuts.
2. Princess Cut Diamond
The princess cut diamond is the second most popular diamond on the market today. It was created in the 1960's, making it a relatively new cut of diamond. It has gained popularity in recent years as a more distinctive and modern alternative to the ever popular brilliant round cut diamond. Traditionally square, this diamond cut has greater fire and brilliance than other square or rectangular shaped cuts. Setting the princess cut with prongs on all 4 corners will help prevent any damage to them during normal wear and tear.
3. Cushion Cut Diamond
Rivaling the princess cut for popularity, the cushion cut diamond combines a square and round cut. This classic cut diamond has been around for nearly 200 years. This diamond cut was the most popular up until the early 20th century. Refinements made to give this cut more brilliance has led to a resurgence in its popularity. Many of the world's most famous diamonds are cushion cuts. These would include the Hope Diamond (45.52 carats) and the yellow Tiffany Diamond (128.54 carats)
4. Emerald Cut Diamond
Most diamonds are brilliant cut, which creates the beloved fire and brilliance synonymous with diamonds. However, emerald cut diamonds are step cut, creating flashes of light known as the hall-of-mirrors effect. It is important to note, that you can see inclusions and color more easily in the emerald cut than in other cuts of diamond. The emerald cut diamond showcases size better than other diamonds of the same cart weight. Not only is the emerald cut a unique alternative to the traditional round cut but it typically costs less as well!
5. Asscher Cut Diamond
Another step cut diamond, the Asscher cut was first produced in 1902 by the Asscher Brothers of Holland. A hybrid of the princess and the emerald cut, it brings together both antique and modern features for a unique and dazzling look. Peaking in popularity in the 1920's, this diamond cut could only be found in antique jewelry shops up until recently. Like the cushion cut, the Asscher cut has undergone a slight redesign which has given it more brilliance. Thus, regaining some of its former popularity, the Asscher cut diamond can be seen gracing the fingers of celebrities, such as, Zooey Deschanel, Ashlee Simpson and Gwyneth Paltrow.
6. Marquise Cut Diamond
The marquise cut diamond is a modified brilliant cut. This particular cut dates back to the reign of King Louis XIV of France. It is said that, he commissioned a jeweler to design a diamond cut to the shape of his mistress's perfectly shaped mouth. Marquise diamonds are by nature long and narrow, giving the wearer the appearance of longer slimmer fingers. Additionally, this long and narrow shape gives the marquise diamond the illusion of greater sizes. Carat for carat, this diamond has one of the largest surface areas of any diamond shape. Making this cut an ideal choice when trying to maximize the perceived size of a diamond.
7. Pear Cut Diamond
The pear cut diamond, also, referred to as the teardrop cut. This diamond takes its cues from both the round brilliant cut and the Marquise cut diamond, combining both their brilliance and design into one unique shape. This shape should always have a prong set at the point, as this will protect the most vulnerable part of the diamond from any damage. Perhaps the most famous pear shaped diamond, was the Taylor-Burton Diamond, a whopping 69.42 carat beauty. This was one of Elizabeth Taylor's most well know and beloved pieces in her extensive jewelry collection.
8. Oval Cut Diamond
Created by Lazare Kaplan in the 1960's, oval cut diamonds are a modified brilliant-cut and have about 56 facets. Because round and oval cut diamonds have a similar fire and brilliance, the oval cut diamond is an ideal choice for someone who likes the look of a round cut diamond, but wants something a little bit more unique. This shape is extremely wearable, with no sharp corners or points which can be vulnerable to damage. A big plus for someone who works a lot with their hands!
9. Radiant Cut Diamond
This little known diamond shape was first patented in the 1970's by Henry Grossbard. The radiant cut diamond mixes the two cutting styles; the step cut and the brilliant cut. Essentially, it has the strong outline of the emerald cut diamond and the intense sparkle of a round brilliant cut diamond. This diamond cut tends to hide inclusions well and is one of the least expensive diamond cuts on the market today. All of this makes for a beautiful and unique choice for an engagement ring center stone.
10. Heart Cut Diamond
The heart shaped diamond is a unique and unmistakable symbol of love. Historically, these specially designed diamonds were exchanged between royalty as a sign of good will. In the late 1500's, Mary Queen of Scots sent Queen Elizabeth a beautiful ring with heart shaped diamond in it as symbol of friendship. It is important, when choosing a heart cut diamond, to pay close attentions to its symmetry. It is vital that the two halves of the heart be identical.
