
Beyond any shape’s basic geometry there are proportional choices involving length, width and overall aesthetic. Intermediate Diamond Shapes PriceScope AdviceĬhoosing a diamond shape involves personal decisions. For example, if a diamond had a length of 6.00 mm and a width of 4.00 mm, the length to width ratio would be 1:5. Expressed as “L:W”, it’s determined by dividing the length of the diamond by its width. This ratio numerically illustrates how long and wide the stone appears from the face-up view. Diamond Shapes Length to Width Ratio (L:W) Non-circular variations include the briolette (oval), Antwerp rose (hexagonal), and double Dutch rose (resembling two rose cuts connected back to back). The classic rose cut is circular in outline, with kite-shaped facets, but has a flat base (entirely lacking a pavilion). They are seldom seen today unless found in antique jewelry. Rose Cuts were fashioned hundreds of years ago. Other famous mixed cuts include the Radiant and the Barion. The most popular mixed cut is the Princess. Typically, the crown is brilliant cut, and the pavilion is step-cut. Mixed Cuts combine the dimensions of step cuts with the optical effects of brilliants. Examples are Emerald Cuts, Square Emerald Cuts, Asschers and Baguettes. The step cutting style was designed to create a wide, clean, look which showcases the diamond’s natural color and clarity. They consist of long, flat, rectangular facets which ascend the crown and descend the pavilion in parallel rows. Step Cuts have square or rectangular outlines. Examples include Rounds, Cushions, Ovals, Pears, Marquise and Heart. The brilliant cutting style was designed to create sparkle. They consist of triangular and kite-shaped facets arranged in vertical rows, spreading outward from the diamond’s center.

The shape and arrangement of a diamond’s individual facets is known as its cutting style.īrilliant Cuts have many outlines. Our short list of vetted vendors – including, Whiteflash and Blue Nile – are experts at selecting fancy shapes with sparkle. Rough crystals which cleaved or broke over their billions-year journey (or in the process of mining) or have interfering internal characteristics may be more cost-effective as fancy shapes.īe advised: Most shapes are NOT GRADED FOR CUT. Appeal: The round shape is most efficient at returning light to the viewer, even with poor fashioning.Įconomics: Nature produces a less common, third rough crystal geometry which is shallow and flat, so it’s most cost-effective to polish these into fancy flat shapes.Economics: Most natural rough diamond crystals have deep octahedral or dodecahedral geometry, so it’s most cost-effective for producers to polish them into deep rounds, although some are suitable for cushion or princess cuts.JOIN OUR FORUMĭiamond Shapes Described Why are most diamonds round? Ask our PriceScope members and industry experts for a second opinion or get lost in the thousands of user-shared diamond and jewelry images for inspiration.
