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If you’ve got cash to splash, diamonds can be your best friends too. These precious stones are scintillating, tantalizing and irresistible in their beauty. Authentic diamonds are unmistakably brilliant and that’s why we love them. But did you know much of a diamond’s beauty is derived from its shape?
There are various different ways to cut diamonds for jewellery and each shape responds to and disperses light in a unique way. So, if you’re searching for the diamond ring or necklace of your dreams, don’t forget that the shape of the stone has a big impact on its appearance. We recommend considering several shapes before making a final choice.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the most popular shapes for diamond jewellery.
1. Round Brilliant
Round brilliant diamonds are, by some margin, the most popular jewellery diamond in the world. They’re in the classic shape of a triangular spinning top, with a tapered pointed bottom and a flat, circular face on the other side.
They’re considered the most ‘brilliant’ of diamonds because, out of all the different shapes, round brilliant diamonds have the most sparkle. When light bounces off all 57 – 58 of these facets, the effect is dazzling. Round brilliant stones account for 75% of all diamonds sales.
2. Cushion Cut
Cushion cut diamonds have the same tapered, pointed bottom as a round brilliant stone but the upper surface is more square this time. Most cushion diamonds have extra faceting on the bottom to reflect more light. This shape is beloved for its ability to reflect coloured light.
Its facets of varying shapes and sizes are great at dispersing light and sparkling with many vivid colours. For this reason, cushion cut diamonds are a popular choice for engagement rings. They don’t cost as much as round brilliant diamonds but hey, if they’re good enough for Meghan and Harry, they’ve got to be good enough for the rest of us, right?
3. Princess Cut
The princess diamond is very similar to the cushion cut with the key difference being the former’s sharper, straighter face. Instead of having a square face with softly rounded edges, the princess is sharper and more traditional.
It’s worth mentioning that the princess cut is often used to elevate lower grade stones. The blocky shape can hide a multitude of sins and may be used to conceal small imperfections like inclusions and shadows. If you’re looking to buy a mid-priced diamond, princess cuts are a great place to start your search.
4. Emerald Cut
The emerald cut diamond is the first shape which really deviates from what we think of as a traditional jewellery stone. Despite this, emerald cuts are extremely popular. Despite being significantly cheaper than a lot of other options, they offer impeccable symmetry and understated elegance as opposed to all-out brilliance.
The emerald cut has a square face with cut corners. Uniquely, a series of small steps are cut into each of its sides. This gives the stone a mirror-like quality and enables it to better showcase its size and clarity. There is a distinctly classic, almost art deco aesthetic to emerald diamonds which can be very appealing.
5. Pear Cut
The pear cut stone is the only diamond on our list with a non-tapering bottom. Instead, the entire stone is shaped like a teardrop. The tapered end is at the top and the broader, fatter end is at the bottom. Increasingly, modern jewellers have a tendency to cut pears with more facets for a brighter, more brilliant effect.
You’ll find modern pear cut diamonds have significantly more facets than older/antique pear stones and are, therefore, much shinier and more brilliant. Pear shaped stones are dazzling enough to look wonderful on their own – as the sole centrepiece on a wedding ring – or as the middle stone in an exquisite halo setting.
These are just a handful of the beautifully shaped diamonds we sell to our customers every day. To learn more about diamond shapes and how they affect the weight, brilliance and overall aesthetic of a piece of jewellery, get in touch with our team.
Call Diamond Story today on 03 9642 3649 to find your dream diamond.