Naturally, diamonds are crystals of different sizes and shapes that formed in the Earth, millions of years ago. The diamond cutter’s art is what transforms these crystals into the beautiful and dazzling precious stones named diamonds. Diamond cutters are the artisans whose skills allow them to reveal the potential of the raw crystals transforming them in sparkling gems of enchanting beauty and brilliance.
Diamond shapes are punctiliously and mathematically cut to enhance each stone’s features, and they range from the classic round brilliant, which is the most popular diamond shape, to the sophisticated Marquise cut.
The heart shape is one of the most delicate diamond’s shape and definitely the most romantic choice. It is usually made of 56 or 58 facets, and the number of the pavilion facets can vary. Precise symmetry is essential for the beauty and gorgeousness of the resulting diamond.
Pear shaped diamonds are hybrids that combine the best properties of the marquise and oval shapes. Its teardrop sparkling shape makes the pear shape optimal for the design of sumptuous and elegant pendants.
The radiant shape refers to a square or rectangular diamond shape that blends the brilliance of the round cut with the style and distinction of the emerald and princess cuts. It consists of 70 facets smartly cut in order to enhance the magnificence and light performance of the precious stone.
The oval cut results in an elongated classical and stylish diamond that produces a strong visual impact. It is common to find this shape in three-stone rings, being the oval the central piece. It has 58 facets that maximizes carat weight, since its shape makes it look larger than round cut diamonds of same weight.
The marquise diamond shape, also known as navette shape is the fanciest diamond shape and the choice of the royalty. It is an elongated shape that when properly cut will result in a diamond of utmost style and brilliance. Typically, it is comprised of 58 facets, 33 of them on the crown and 25 on the pavilion. The marquise shape is a great choice to maximize the carat weight of the stone, since it makes diamonds look larger than others of similar size and weight.
This diamond cut is also a rectangular shape, somehow similar to the emerald cut. It is also known as Hall of Mirrors due to the astonishing optical illusion and brilliance. This is the cut of the largest known diamond, the Cullinan Diamond, an unrivaled 3,205 carat diamond that belonged to British King Edward VII.
What makes the Asscher diamond shape unique is that there are not set numbers or strict guides to follow when cutting the stone. It depends on the cutter’s art to maximize the beauty and light performance of this squared diamond shape of 50 or 58 facets.
The emerald cut diamond has only 25 facets, therefore it has fewer surfaces to reflect light off and makes inclusions easily detectable by the eye. It is mandatory to choose a better clarity and higher color grade when buying an emerald cut diamond. This shape was one of the first cuts used in jewelry, and it is one of the most glamorous and charming shapes.
After the round brilliant, princess cut diamonds are the secondly most demanded, even though this shape does not permit maximum brilliance due to its four corners which leak out light. It is preferred because it is an undeniably elegant cut, that though classic has a touch of modernity with its acute corners.
This is the most popular diamond shape, being over 50% of the diamonds available of this shape. This cut results in the most brilliant diamond shape possible; for this reason, round brilliant cut diamonds are frequently chosen for solitaire rings, displaying and enhancing their unique brilliance. A round cut diamond has 58 facets, 33 of them on the crown or top and 25 on the pavilion or bottom.