Diamond Cuts

"The Difference Between Diamond Cuts and Diamond Shapes
and How They Relate to Each Other"

Do you know the difference between "diamond cuts" and "diamond shapes"?

Diamond Cuts refer to the numbers of facets in a finished diamond and how those facets are proportioned in the gems diamond. The cut usually determines the brilliance of a diamond.

On the other hand, Diamond Shape is the overall outline of the finished gem.

Before purchasing diamond stud earrings or any other diamond jewelry you need a basic understanding in diamond shapes and cuts so that you know what styles will cover your needs and personal preferences.

Think hard about which one you want. Each shape has different numbers of facets (cuts), with specific proportions and dimensions that will give it the best or worst look.

That's because some diamond shapes maximize brilliance and other's don't accentuate the gemstone's beauty.

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The Diamond Shapes

Knowing the characteristics of the basic shapes will help you choose which one is most suitable for your preferences, personality, and budget.

Popular diamond shapes/cuts

Round

These are the most traditional and most popular choice for many women and couples. Round diamonds are super-versatile and can be found in prong and channel settings, with or without accent stones.

Marquise

This one's elegant and traditional. It's a slim oval shape with tapered, pointed ends. The center stone is usually set parallel to the finger, and it is frequently enhanced with small accent stones along either side.

Emerald

Emerald shape features a rectangular diamond with trimmed corners. One down-turn is that flaws might be more obvious in this shape and because it has fewer facets to reflect light and hide minor defects -- that means it lacks clarity and brilliance.

Princess

This square shape is almost as popular as the round diamonds because it's incredibly versatile. It's a very popular diamond for engagement rings, particularly rings with three or more stones using a princess gem as the center stone.

Pear

This one's also referred as a teardrop diamond, and it's popular in pendants and earrings, Because of the unbalanced shape they're not usually set with elaborate accent stones. As with oval and marquise, a pear diamond elongates short fingers.

Oval

The oval shape is frequently used with other stones in a detailed setting where it may be flanked by smaller diamonds, emeralds, sapphires, etc. If you have small fingers and hands then this shape will blend in nicely without standing out strong as a focal point.

Heart

Heart-shaped diamonds are considered more as a novelty. It's more popular for pendants and earrings. And since the cut is difficult to make, you might want to examine this diamond thoroughly before you buy it to locate hidden flaws or defects.

Radiant

This diamond shape has barely trimmed corners to enhance its brilliance, making it a square version of an emerald shape but with a blend of facets usually found in round stones. Radiant diamond shapes are rare so they can be hard to find.

Trilliant

This triangular-shaped diamond is unique and quite a fancy cut. It's created with equal sides and have 50 facets. Because of its uniqueness (and price) it's more reserved for the upscale luxury market. Often, people buy a trilliant because of a vanity thing.

Asscher

This cut is a square with deeply trimmed edges. Asschers are rare and very sought-after for their remarkable depth and beauty. So make sure you buy from authorized dealers to guarantee a worthwhile purchase.

Cushion

Gently rounded like a pillow or cushion, this smooth shape can remind you of vintage or antique designs. They're relatively rare and because of their uniqueness, they're often set off as solitaires rather than being incorporated into elaborate settings.

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What Is An Ideal Diamond Shape and Cut?

If you want a diamond with maximized brilliance, you'll have to examine the depth.

Generally, the depth of the diamond will determine the amount of light that is reflected back to the viewers eye. Too shallow a stone and the light will pass through it, too deep of a stone and the light is lost as well.

Take a look here:

To calculate the depth percentage of a diamond shape - divide the depth by the width, and then multiply by 100.

However, you don't have to stress too much about this if you buy diamond jewelry that is certified by the GIA. They basically do all of the necessary evaluation of each diamond worth to give it the most accurate price point.

What Does Diamond Certified mean?
It means that the diamond(-s) has been inspected and graded by a third party - an independent laboratory who specializes in diamonds and gems. The certification of a diamond guarantee the quality and the characteristics of the diamond you choose to buy. A diamond certification confirms the 4 C's of the diamond.

Two of the most reputable laboratories who certify diamonds are: GIA - Gemological Institute of America and IGI - International Gemological Institute

A certificate from one of these expert grading laboratories will enable a reputable jeweler to give you a market value for your diamond without even seeing the stone.

So instead of wasting time on 10 different diamond appraisers to verify if a diamond is accurate with what the store is telling you, you can buy diamond jewelry that is certified.

Popular Diamond Stud Earrings Shapes with Maximised Sparkle

These diamond shapes are known to have a cut with maximized sparkle. They're also the most versatile.

Round diamond stud earrings icon
Courtesy of Blue Nile
Round
Round brilliant diamond is the most popular and ideal (because of its maximum brilliance) and it's often readily available in every possible quality and size.
It has 58 facets; 33 on top and 24 on the bottom and 1 at the point at the bottom maximize sparkle. Round Brilliant is usually more expensive than the other shapes because the cutter loses a lot of the original crystal, plus, it's harder to form a diamond into a circle. Slightly more expensive than princess, but well worth it because of its versatile and timeless look.

Princess square diamond stud earrings
Courtesy of Diamond.com
Princess/Square
This is the second most popular shape for all women. It gives you that trendy yet classic vibe with maximum brilliance. A really great thing about Princess cut diamond shapes is that is has a few more extra facets than the round which really enhances it's sparkle. In fact, it's really a good thing because the flaws might be less noticeable. And they're cheaper than the rounds!
The Princess which is less expensive than the Round brilliant, saves money for the cutter since it's closest to the octahedral "habit" of rough diamond crystal, the most common formation of diamond in the rough.

Asscher diamond stud earrings
Courtesy of Overstock
Asscher
Now, this is gorgeous as it has a lot of depth and beauty because of its deeply trimmed edges. Truly unique. More expensive than rounds and squares, but well worth it.
Looks classic, unique but stylish at the same time :-)

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For the Thrill of Diamonds
Here are Other Gorgeous Shapes

Longer shapes have the con of having a slight "bow tie" effect. That means they have a small zone in the center where light leaks out the bottom, creating a darker area in the shape of the bow tie.

The longer diamond shapes are: Pear, Oval, Marquise and Heart.

Courtesy of Apples of Gold	Oval Such fresh break from regular rounds. Classy yet trendy. They look good on a wide face as the shape elongates it.
Courtesy of Apples of Gold Jewelry	Pear Pretty unique for the unconventional girl. Looks almost like a twinkling teardrop. Simply beautiful.
	Rhinestones Diamond rhinestones are gorgeous accents to a pair of diamond stud earrings. They can enhance the big diamond itself, mixed with cheaper semi-precious gemstones (for example Aquamarine, Topaz, etc.) and be formed into a specific shape. These small diamond rhinestones can be flanked together and form a beautiful shape, like for example a butterfly, triangle, heart, etc.