Learning about the Cut of a Diamond
The most complicated of the 4 Cs is the "cut." The cut refers not
only to the style of the cut and shape of the stone, i.e. round, square,
heart-shaped, etc. and its proportions, but the workmanship involved in
the diamond-cutting process. These four features (style, shape,
proportions and workmanship) are significant when assessing a stone.
Diamonds consist of clear crystalline carbon. The outer portion of the
diamond is rough, and if that portion were peeled off, the stone would
be as smooth as glass. The result of this, however, would be no more
pleasing to the eye that a piece of crystal. The diamond cutter must
perfect his skills in order to change that hunk of crystallized carbon
into a gorgeous piece of jewelry.
A diamond has two main cuts, the step cut and the brilliant cut. There
are also hybrids of these two main cuts, such as the emerald cut or
old-fashioned cuts. The old-fashion cuts are not very common. These cuts
include the rose cut, the old European cut or the old mine cut.
The two main cuts (step and brilliant) are the only two you need to
consider when you are planning to purchase an engagement ring. Parallel
facades that normally extend the length or width of the stone are
characteristics of the step cut. That is because it looks like "steps"
are created with this particular cut. An emerald cut is a variation of
the step cut when the diamond contains rounded-off facets in the
corners.
Step Cut
Emerald Cut
The emerald cut is considered a very elegant diamond cut. It contains
triangular facades surrounding the stone which normally culminate on a
flat top known as a table. The modern and very popular brilliant-cut
round diamond contains 58 of these triangular facades (33 above the
middle of the stone and 25 below).
Brilliant Cut
Round Cut
The selection of a brilliant cut as opposed to a step cut is a
"clear-cut" choice. If you prefer the shiniest diamond available, choose
a brilliant cut; and if you prefer a more glassy, elegant stone, select
a step cut.
Please keep in mind that you are not able to go to the jewelry store to
buy a generic step-cut or brilliant-cut diamond. Rather, you must choose
a diamond with a particular shape that will be formed using step-cuts,
brilliant-cuts or even a combination of both.
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