About Diamonds - Education Center

The very first step when choosing a diamond is deciding what shape you want

The round shape is by far the most popular choice but there are a broad range of options to choose from which all offer the beauty, brilliance and fire of the diamond.

Another of the most popular shapes for diamonds is the brilliant cut that has 57 or 58 facets depending on whether the point at the bottom of the stone, is faceted.

This is the classical shape that most people imagine when they think of a diamond.

Having said that, the round cut is not your only choice. The main difference is comes from the diamond cutter's decision to cut the rough diamond into their particular shape.

Some of the shapes diamonds come in include:

Round Brilliant - This is the most classic cut

Marquise - This is an elongated brilliant cut stone with a point on each end of the gem

Princess - This is usually a 4-sided square or a slightly rectangular brilliant cut

Radiant - This is usually a slightly rectangular to square shaped diamond
 
Emerald - This is a classic octagonal cut usually rectangular
 
Asscher - Sometimes called a square emerald cut
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Heart - This one is more of a classic cut for engagement rings
 
The Pear - Has the brilliance and form of a round stone with the elongated elegance of a marquise gem

You should choose the best shape for you personally

Here's the thing about diamonds. When you are determining the best shape for you you shold consider what you like, what appeals to you and naturally what looks great on your hand, wrist or neck for example. The longer and shorter a stone can actually change the appearance of your hands making them look longer or shorter. The shape of the diamond you choose is really a matter of personal preference but it's also important to remember that the various shapes affect a diamond's brilliance, apparent size and value

- Round brilliant cut diamonds usually show the best brilliance out of all the shapes and especially when hiding flaws in the diamond this is the best shape to do it with. Emerald cut diamonds have long, flat facets and the imperfections are most obvious.

-Emerald cuts look very attractive but not usually as brilliant as the Round brilliant cut diamonds. 

-To make a diamond look as big as possible you should buy a fancy shape such as a marquise or pear shaped diamond as they look bigger and longer than the standard round diamonds of the same weight.

the cut of a diamond comers about from the craftsman's skill in transforming a rough cut raw diamond into a beautiful gem. It is the only one of the '4c's that is within our control 

Diamonds have different facets which allow light to enter into them, becoming refracted and leaving a rainbow of colors. It follows that the better cut diamond will do a better show of dazzling the buyer with it's beauty. So the secret of how a diamond sparkles is as follows:

A diamond with good proportions which has been well cut is more effective refracting light from the top of the stone into to your eye. A diamond that has not been cut well will allow light to become lost at the bottom of the stone.

So an 'ideal cut' as its called in the trade is a specific set of guidelines that outline the proportions which make a diamond present the highest amount of fire and brilliance.