Diamond Shapes

ROUND

The round brilliant diamond remains the most popular and often the most brilliant diamond shape. Cutters have been studying and refining the round cut since the late 1800's and by 1919, Marcell Tolkowsky introduced his recommendations for the best proportions of a modern brilliant cut diamond. These proportions with 57 to 58 facets strongly influence the diamond manufacturing business. Diamond cutters now use advanced theories of light behavior and precise mathematical calculations to optimize the fire of a round diamond. "Ideal" is a term used to describe a diamond that has been cut to the best proportions to maximize the brilliance and fire. Ultimately, it is the consumer that must decide which set of proportions looks best to them!

 TRILLIANT or TRILLION

This triangle shaped cut diamond is a shallow cut that has been designed to make efficient use of flat rough. This contemporary looking cut is very popular in ring settings as matching shoulder stones. The triangular brilliant facets add sparkle and scintillation to this diamond shape.

PRINCESS

This square or rectangular brilliant cut was developed in the late 1970's. Their clean contemporary shape has made them an extremely popular alternative to rounds. This popularity has aided to the development of many "modified" brilliant squares now available in today's diamond market.

RADIANT

The Radiant is a mixed cut combining both step and brilliant style faceting on a square or rectangular shape stone with beveled corners. This scintillating cut makes it a brilliant alternative to the emerald cut.

PEAR

The pear shaped diamond, if well proportioned (displays little bow- tie effect with even shoulder) can be nearly as brilliant as a round diamond. A matched set of pear shaped diamonds make an excellent choice on either side of a center stone. This cut is considered to be a classic and graceful diamond shape!

OVAL

The traditional brilliant shape makes the oval a popular choice for those that are looking for a simple elegant look yet a little different from the round.

MARQUISE

This elongated brilliant cut has curved sides and pointed ends and is also called a navette which is Latin for boat as the outline resembles a boat. This brilliant classic shape traditionally set length-ways, can also be set horizontally to become a "modern classic" look and style.

HEART

The heart shaped diamond is essentially a pear-shaped diamond with a cleft at the top. When purchasing a heart shaped diamond review the length to width ratio to determine whether it will look short and fat or elongated. The most appealing heart shapes should look graceful and pleasing to your eye. A symbol of passion and romance, this classic shape is a brilliant display of enduring love!

CUSHION

Traditionally referred to as the "antique" cut the cushion is either rectangular or square. Recent increase in popularity has inspired the development of many modified brilliant cutting styles. Each one offers uniquely different brilliance and fire. We recommend comparing the many options this shape has to offer before making your final selection of this classically brilliant stone.

EMERALD

The emerald cut, a rectangle shaped diamonds with cut corners, is the most popular cut in the step cut family. The step cuts actually came along in the early 1400's, long before brilliant cuts. The long sleek lines of the concentric rows of facets gives the emerald cut a simple, gentle shimmer.  This cutting style takes advantage of rough with higher clarity as the large table allows the viewer to see into the heart of the stone.

ASSCHER

This contemporary stepped square cut was developed in 1902 by the Asscher Brothers of Holland. It is often referred to as "square emerald cut" and like an emerald cut, has cropped corners. The Asscher cut is designed to draw the eye into the diamond and as such, you should always select a higher clarity stone. The availability of this cutting style tends to be smaller than the other more common cuts, which make this style the choice for those who seek the "unusual".