When looking for a new pair of earrings, a necklace, or a bracelet, picking out a diamond is a unique and personal experience. While we often hear about the "Four Cs," the cut of a diamond is where its true personality comes to life. The right cut can make a smaller stone look much larger or turn a quiet sparkle into a burst of light.
Here is a look at the most loved cuts and what makes each one special.
The Classics: Round & Square
- Round Brilliant: This is the most popular choice for a reason. With 58 tiny facets designed to catch the light, it creates a beautiful rainbow sparkle. It is the ultimate classic for someone who loves a timeless, high-shine look.
- Princess: This cut is a close second when it comes to sparkle. It can either be square or rectangular and is best protected by prongs to prevent its corners from chipping.
- Cushion: Named cushion because it looks like a soft pillow, this cut features rounded corners. It feels romantic and vintage, perfect for someone who wants a gentle, glowing effect.
- Radiant: If you love the sparkle of a round diamond but prefer a rectangular shape, this is your perfect match. It’s a beautiful hybrid of styles.
- Asscher: This is a square cut with a higher crown, smaller table, and larger facets, which give it a strong sparkling look. It has a higher top and larger facets, giving it a deep, clear sparkle that feels very sophisticated.
Shapes That Tell a Story
- Heart: The ultimate symbol of love. For an ideal look, it is better to do no less than 0.5 carats, considering it will look smaller when prongs are added. It’s equally important to make sure that both sides of the heart are symmetrical and that there’s a clear separating line.
- Pear: Also known as the Teardrop, this shape starts as a semi-circle and narrows down to a pointed end. It’s incredibly graceful and has a lovely way of making fingers look longer and more slender.
- Marquise: Due to its elongated shape, a diamond with a small carat weight can appear larger when it receives a Marquise Cut. This cut also allows your fingers to look slimmer.
- Oval: If you love the brilliance of a round diamond but want something a little more unique, the Oval Cut offers the same brilliance and sparkle of the round cut, but with a slight difference in the traditional round shape. Like the pear and marquise, it creates a very flattering, slimming effect on the hand.
Clarity & Sophistication
- Emerald: This rectangular cut uses "step-like" facets and a “hall-of-mirrors” effect. Rather than a busy sparkle, it offers a deep, clear look. Because the surface is so open, it’s best to choose a very clear stone, as it’s easier to see right into the heart of the diamond.
- Baguette: This cut is a long, rectangular shape with no more than 14 facets that are parallel to each other. They don’t have the intense sparkle of other cuts, but they offer a clean, architectural look that is very elegant.
Choosing What Speaks to You
At the end of the day, there is no "perfect" diamond cut, only the one that feels right when you put it on. Some people gravitate towards the classic brilliance of a round cut, while others prefer the unique, poetic shape of a pear or a heart.
Whether you’re looking for something that makes a big statement or a piece that whispers with a soft glow, let your own taste be your guide. If you’re a big fan of diamonds, check out our Oh So Precious Collection, where every stone is chosen to help you shine in your own way.
