You might know all the different shapes and cuts of diamonds, or at least recognize them on a store-bought piece of jewelry. Learn about the types of diamond cuts and shape from this article.
What is a Diamond Shape?
A diamond is a gemstone with a distinctive shape: it is a six-pointed, cubic crystal of carbon, with angles of 58.42 degrees (2/9 of a circle), measuring 10.5 millimeters on the longest side and 7.87 on the shortest. Diamonds are found in many colors including D and F colors which are very rare, and also in other colors such as blue, purple, pink and yellow. Diamonds are graded on a scale from 1 to 10 with 10 being the highest quality. A diamond's carat weight is its size in points; each point equals 2.71 grams or 0.094 ounces.
What is a Diamond Cut?
Diamonds are graded on a scale from D to Z and their cut is one factor that affects their value. A higher quality diamond will usually have a more “perfect” shape, meaning its angles and height (thickness) are correct. The other factors that affect diamond cut include the symmetry of the diamond and the precision with which it was cut.
A diamond’s symmetry is determined by four main factors: the angle at which the diamond faces the girdle, the angle of inclination between each facet and the table, how many facets there are on each side of the prongs, and how deep they go into the stone. A symmetrical diamond will have all sides with the same number of facets and all sides will be at an equal angle to each other.
The depth of a gemstone’s cutting can also affect its symmetry. If a diamond is not deeply cut, it may have uneven angles which can lead to distortion in its symmetry. In addition, if a diamond has been deeply cut but not perfectly symmetrical, it may sell for more than a less well-cut gemstone because people believe it to be more beautiful or unique
Commonly Overlooked Differences
Diamond shape can affect diamond cut. A round diamond has a smooth, Sphere-like shape. An emerald cut is typically sported by a rectangular or square stone with rounded corners. A marquise diamond has protruding corners, while an Asscher cut features deeper points. Combined cuts combine two diamond shapes - such as a loose asscher cut surrounded by a shapewear-like edging called a bezel, which creates the characteristic "V" figure on the diamond's face. In fact, some popular combinations include: triangle (point), marquise (oval), baguette (round), and imperial (rectangular).
Most people are familiar with round diamonds but there are other shapes that can be just as beautiful and offer their own unique set of characteristics. Some of the other more common gemstone shapes include pear shaped diamonds; heart shaped diamonds, octagonal diamonds and angled diamonds. Each of these shapes offers its own set of benefits that may be desired by certain buyers.- Round: The most popular diamond shape and the most versatile because it can be fashioned into many different designs including classic rounds, princess cuts, fancy rounds and more.- Pear Shaped: Known for their sleek lines and feminine curves these gems are perfect for delicate rings or earrings.- Heart Shaped: Embrace your love heart out with a sparkling heart-shaped Diamond!- Octagonal: Lively and sparking looking with angles all around they make
Conclusion
It can be tough to make a decision about what type of diamond you want, especially if you don't have any real guidance. In this article, we will explore the different types of diamond shapes and their corresponding characteristics. From there, we will provide some tips for narrowing down your choices and making an informed purchase. Thanks for reading!