Different Diamond Cuts

By: Rachael Stone Click author's name for more of his/her articles

Considering that buying a diamond is perhaps one of the most important purchases you'll ever make, it only stands to reason that you'll be looking for certain qualities. In fact, for some people, purchasing a diamond is just as important in their life as purchasing a home. Of course with such a wide range of styles and cuts to choose from, it can be quite challenging to decide which one is best. Even though only you can know for sure which one is ideal, here is a brief description of some of the most popular styles.

To start with, let's briefly talk about the process to polish the diamonds. Uncut diamonds look very similar to regular quartz crystal before they are cut to size. They are taken and cut down with diamond saws, and grinders until the are a fraction of their original size, and then the jeweler cuts the facets, cuts and polishes them into what you see today. This is just a brief look at this aspect of the diamond making process.

The are around 11 different traditional diamond cuts, and 4 newer styles. There are round, heart shaped, square cut and its different variations. The round cuts are even shaped differently, with Marquise, oval and pear shaped. The newer styles include the Leo, which has a slightly flatter head that the traditionally shaped round style. The Elexese cut, which has 60/60 proportion facets. A specialty cut by William Goldberg, called the Ashoka, is the latest version of the traditional cushion cut. By rounding the edges to the usual rectangular shape, it is a more modern option to the more traditional cuts.

The important thing to know about diamonds is the facets. The more faceted it is the more brilliantly it will look. The larger number of facets a diamond has, the more brilliant it will appear and the more valuable it will be. An ideally cut diamond will have around 58 facets, but they also go as high as the 66 facet Leo Diamond cut. The more facets, and more brilliance, the higher the cost will be.

Round diamonds and the squarish Princess cut, a square diamond, are the most popular with most couples getting married. The round cut is the has the classic elegance, and what woman can resist the Princess cut. The Marquise style which is an oblong diamond shape with pointed ends is usually presented as a solitary stone although they are sometimes used together with several smaller diamonds. Interestingly enough, this style was originally commissioned by King Louis XIV of France and if rumors or anything to go by, it was inspired by the smile of Marquise de Pompadour.

Generally, grading diamonds is not an expertise that most of us have. When a couple walks into a jewelry store to look at an engagement ring, or something just as special, there are many other things on their minds than just picking out a ring. However, there are definitely some things to know when going in that can help you make a more informed decision about an investment that hopefully will last a lifetime.

Different cuts effect the diamonds brilliance, and the shape of the diamond is only one aspect of a quality diamond. Shapes also can effect its beauty and shine. Shapes like the pear, heart shape in sometimes even the Marquise sacrifice brilliance for their shape. Some shapes like the emerald, and Asscher may even make any flaws or imperfections stand out more than some other styles. It is a good thing to check these closely.

Essentially, the more clarity a diamond has, the better its quality. Make sure that your diamonds are the clearest possible to bring out the most sparkle. While the carat of the stone is less important than a good cut, but there are certain shapes, oval, and the emerald, just to name a few, that are designed to give the illusion of a bigger size. This may be a big determining factor in your purchase.

One of the major considerations in purchasing diamond jewelry is the price. The more unique the design, the more facets there are and any specialty cuts are going to be more expensive than more traditional styles. This is one factor that needs to be considered when purchasing a diamond ring.

There are several other things to consider. Whether you choose to buy a stone that is already in a setting, or buying the stone and ring separately and putting them together. Many jewelers are flexible and can change the setting on the stone if needed, but will often incur additional costs.