The Shapes of Diamond

Diamond, with its intrinsic beauty and unmatched hardness, is a symbol of elegance and refinement. However, what makes diamond even more fascinating is its variety of shapes, each with its own uniqueness and distinctive characteristics.

Among the most iconic and requested diamond shapes we find:

Brilliant Cut

The Round Brilliant cut was introduced in 1919 by Marcel Tolkowsky , a Belgian mathematician and engineer, who developed a mathematical formula to maximize the refraction of light, giving the diamond greater brilliance. This revolutionary cut made the diamond more desirable and valuable.

In the years since, the Round Brilliant cut has become the most sought-after, both for engagement rings and other jewelry. Its popularity has been fueled by celebrities, historical figures and style icons who have worn Brilliant cut diamonds contributing to its fame and prestige.

The Brilliant cut is characterized by a circular shape with 58 facets arranged in a series of upper crowns and a lower floor. The proportion and symmetry of the faces are essential to obtain maximum brightness and beauty; in fact, they act like small mirrors, reflecting the light from one facet to the other and thus creating an effect of extraordinary brilliance.

There are standards of optimal proportions for the Brilliant cut that help ensure maximum brilliance and beauty. For example, the depth and diameter of the diamond, as well as the angle of inclination of the facets, can significantly affect the overall appearance of the diamond. A well-executed cut will have proportions that allow light to pass through the diamond efficiently, thus creating an explosion of light.

When selecting a brilliant cut diamond, it is important to consider the quality of the cut along with the clarity, color, and carat weight of the diamond. A well-executed cut can greatly increase the value and visual appeal of the diamond. Examining the diamond under different light sources and from different angles can help you evaluate its brilliance.

Princess Cut

The Princess cut was first introduced in the 1960s and quickly gained popularity due to its square or rectangular shape with sharp corners, making it a modern and sophisticated choice for engagement rings and other jewelry, making it one of the most popular and sought-after diamond cuts.

In the Princess diamond, the facets are arranged to maximize the brilliance and fire of the diamond and must be cut with great care to ensure perfect symmetry and even distribution of light. The cut must also be made so that the faces meet at precise angles. The Princess is highly sought after for engagement rings and offers a contemporary and modern look.

Emerald Cut

The Emerald cut is commonly associated with emeralds, green gemstones belonging to the beryl family, and is characterized by a rectangular shape with right angles, a flat table and a series of parallel faces arranged in steps along its lateral surfaces. This cut highlights the clarity and purity of the diamond, creating a brilliant light effect.

Its rectangular shape with sharp corners and its relatively wide table allows you to look inside the diamond and appreciate its purity and transparency.

Unlike the Brilliant or Princess cut, the Emerald cut focuses less on brilliance and more on clarity and brilliance. The long, parallel facets of the Emerald cut reflect light differently, creating a more “mirror-like” effect versus a “fire-like” effect like brilliant cuts. This means that the Emerald cut’s appearance offers less sparkle but more elegance.

This cut requires extreme precision to ensure perfect symmetry and even distribution of light. In addition, the flat table of the diamond must be precisely polished to show the clarity and purity of the diamond.

When selecting an emerald cut diamond, it is important to evaluate the quality of the cut along with the clarity, color, and carat weight of the diamond. Clarity is especially important in an emerald cut, as the long, parallel facets can expose internal inclusions.

Asscher cut

The Asscher cut, also known as the Step Square cut, was invented by the Asscher brothers in the early 20th century. Similar to the Emerald cut, but with a square shape, this shape is known for its right angles, flat table, and a series of stepped facets, which create a sort of "mirror" effect within the diamond.

The Asscher cut can also be rectangular in shape with rounded corners. While it shares similarities with the Emerald cut, the Asscher has a slightly different brilliance. The Asscher cut facets reflect light more intensely than the Emerald cut, creating an atmosphere of elegance and sophistication.

The Asscher cut is considered a classic and sophisticated choice for diamonds, it fits well with minimalist and vintage designs, but can also add a touch of elegance to more modern creations. As with other high-quality diamond cuts, the Asscher requires extreme precision to achieve an optimal appearance. The cut of the faces must be calibrated with great care to ensure perfect symmetry and even distribution of light.

Marquise Cut

Its origin dates back to the 18th century, when it was created at the request of King Louis XV of France, who wanted a diamond that would represent the smile of his lover, the Marquise de Pompadour. Although this story is more legend than fact, it helped consolidate the Marquise cut as a symbol of grace and beauty.

The Marquise cut shape has been associated with various legends and symbolisms in different cultures, for example, its elongated shape could be seen as a symbol of fertility or connection with nature, while its elegance could be associated with nobility and refinement.

The Marquise cut has an elongated teardrop shape with pointed ends. The facets along its lateral surfaces are designed to maximize the stone's brightness and brilliance. This cut is known for its elegance and its ability to elongate the shape of the fingers.

The elongated shape of the Marquise cut can make the diamond appear larger than diamonds of the same carat weight cut in other styles. The facets reflect light in a similar way to the Brilliant cut, creating an effect of brightness and vitality, making it a very attractive choice for those seeking a diamond with exceptional brilliance.

One of the distinguishing features of the Marquise cut is its versatility. It lends itself well to a variety of different styles, from classic and romantic designs to more modern and bold creations. This cut requires extreme precision to achieve an optimal look. The faces must be carefully crafted to ensure perfect symmetry and even distribution of light. It is also important that the two tips are precisely aligned to achieve a balanced and harmonious look.

Heart Cut

As the name suggests, this cut has a symmetrical Heart shape and great skill is required to achieve perfect symmetry that reflects light evenly. It represents the ultimate romantic symbol for engagement rings and other significant jewelry.

Designed to maximize brilliance and sparkle, the Heart cut reflects light in a similar way to the Brilliant cut, creating an effect of brightness and vitality. This makes it an attractive choice for those seeking a diamond with exceptional brilliance.
According to legend, the Sun King of France commissioned a heart-shaped diamond for his lover, which further cemented the heart cut as a symbol of love and romance.

Radiant Cut

Although the Radiant cut is relatively modern, developed in the 70s, it quickly became highly sought after due to its versatility and ability to combine elements of other cuts.

The Radiant is characterized by a square or rectangular shape with rounded corners. This cut combines the characteristics of the Brilliant cut and the Princess cut, offering exceptional brilliance and shine.
It is characterized by a relatively wide table and facets that reflect light in a similar way to the Brilliant cut, but with narrower angles similar to the Emerald cut.

Designed to maximize brilliance, the Radiant cut reflects light vividly, creating a sparkling effect. This makes it a very attractive choice for those seeking a diamond with exceptional brilliance, but with a more distinctive shape than the more traditional Brilliant cut.

Cushion Cut

The Cuschion or Cushion cut has a rich history: particularly popular during the Victorian era and early 20th century, it is also known as the "Candlestick Cut". This similarity may have been more conceptual than literal, symbolizing romance, opulence and social status.

Cushion cut diamond engagement rings were often considered symbols of eternal love and commitment and are an ideal choice for those looking for a piece of jewelry with a nostalgic and romantic touch.

Cushion cut is a type of diamond cut that has a square or rectangular shape with rounded corners that give the stone a "soft" appearance similar to a cushion. Precision is essential to achieve an optimal appearance of the Cushion cut and to ensure its symmetry and uniformity in the distribution of light.

Versatility is one of its distinctive features: it is suitable for a wide variety of jewelry from classic and romantic designs to modern and bold creations.

Oval Cut

The Oval cut diamond has an elongated shape with rounded ends. It is a combination of elements of the Brilliant cut and the Marquise cut.

The proportions of the Oval cut are essential to ensure a balanced appearance and an optimal ratio (the length is approximately 1.5-1.7 times the width). It is therefore essential that the cut is extremely precise to ensure perfect symmetry and light refraction.

When choosing an Oval cut diamond, you need to consider the quality of the cut, along with the clarity, color, and carat weight of the diamond. Symmetry and even distribution of facets are especially important to achieve a striking and brilliant appearance.

The Oval shape is often associated with symbols of harmony and continuity, representing infinity and eternity, making it one of the most popular shapes for meaningful jewelry and engagement rings.

Drop Cut

The Pear Cut (also called the Pear Cut) is characterized by its distinctive water drop shape, with a rounded bottom and a pointed top. Designed to maximize the diamond's brilliance and light refraction, it is a very attractive choice for those seeking exceptional brilliance.

As with any cut of such precious stones, extreme precision is required in this case as regards the proportions, symmetry and production of the facets to ensure an optimal distribution of light.

The pear cut is highly sought after for significant events, thanks also to the famous 68 ct. "Taylor-Burton", one of the most famous diamonds cut in this style which was given by Richard Burton to his wife Elizabeth Taylor in 1969.

Trillion Cut

The Trillion cut has a triangular shape that can have more rounded or more pointed corners, depending on the desired style. It has a very versatile shape that adapts to a wide variety of styles and uses. In fact, it can be the protagonist of a jewel or used as a side stone to emphasize a central diamond. It is widely used in the creation of rings, earrings and pendants.

Designed to maximize the brilliance and sparkle of the diamond, the Trillion cut reflects light vividly, creating an effect of brightness and vitality, an attractive choice for those seeking exceptional brilliance.

The Trillion cut requires extreme precision to achieve an optimal appearance. The cut of the faces must be carefully calibrated to ensure perfect symmetry and even distribution of light. It is important that the sides of the triangle are precisely polished to achieve a balanced and harmonious appearance.

Tepper cut

The term "Tepper" is often used to refer to diamonds or gemstones that are cut in a cone shape or a shape that tapers toward the top or bottom. However, the term "Tepper" is not commonly associated with a specific diamond cut like other cuts such as Brilliant or Emerald.

The cone or tapered cut can be used to create a unique and bold look, whether for center or side stones in engagement rings, earrings or pendants. Tepper stones are very versatile and can add a touch of originality and modernity, as well as creating an effect of elongation and slimming the shape of the jewel.

Baguette Cut

The Baguette cut is characterized by an elongated rectangular shape, with right angles and parallel faces. It usually has few facets, often 14 to 24, that extend along the length of the stone and arranged in such a way as to maximize the brilliance and refraction of the light of the diamond.

Although the Baguette cut does not have the same brilliance as the Brilliant cut, its elongated shape can still reflect light in an elegant and subtle way. This cut is appreciated for its refinement and its ability to add a touch of elegance to jewelry.

One of the defining characteristics of the baguette cut is its versatility. It can be used as a side stone next to a center stone in an engagement ring or in other clean, modern jewelry designs.

The Baguette cut requires extreme precision to achieve an optimal appearance, the cut of the faces must be carefully calibrated to ensure perfect symmetry and even distribution of light along the length of the stone. It is also important that the sides of the rectangle are precisely polished to achieve a balanced and harmonious appearance.