What is the Best Diamond Cut for Your Engagement Ring?

by ml_visionstarts

The simple answer is that it is a matter of taste. But if you don't know the options it is a tougher question. So here is a little guide on diamond cuts that I hope you find helpful. The first thing to be clear about is the "cut" can mean 2 different things in the diamond world. Cut refers to the shape and style of the diamond, as well as the proportions of a diamond. There are many different cuts: Round brilliant diamonds, emerald cut diamonds, princess cut diamonds, etc. Each diamond is also a gemstone that has its own individual shape which is referred to as its proportions (one of the 4 C's is "cut" which is proportion).

Diamond Cut Styles

Let's talk about the styles of cut first. There are many shapes diamonds can be cut to. Diamond cutters have followed a traditional path for decades until more recently when technology and competition have spirited creativity and innovation in diamond cutting. Many new shapes and hybrids are in the market today that did not exist a few years ago. We'll get to them later, so we can start with the most popular cuts first.

Round Brilliant Cut Diamond

There is no doubt the most popular diamond cut today and for most of the 20th century is the modern round brilliant. That is not to say there are many other shapes that are beautiful as popular as well, but the round brilliant is by far the dominant diamond shape for engagement rings.

The reason that round brilliant diamonds are so popular is that weight for weight, irrelevant to any other factor, the modern round brilliant is the most brilliant cut diamond. The modern round brilliant diamond returns more light to the viewer than any other cut. The reason for that is pure physics. The round brilliant diamond has been refined since the early 20th century, both by trial and error and by scientific development thanks to Marcel Tolkowsky, a prominent jewelry of the era.

Polished diamond Courtesy of GIAThe modern round brilliant diamond cut in its ideal proportions is the perfect 'container of light'. The physics of the shape are designed to minimize light 'leakage'. Light leakage is the loss of lack of return of light from its source. Diamonds are cut with a similar theory in mind. The top of the stone (the crown) is a window. The bottom of the stone (the pavilion) is a mirror. Light enters through the top and is reflected back to the eye by bouncing off the pavilion like a mirror. That is why diamonds are designed to perfect the return of light to the eye, which is what makes diamonds attractive, brilliant, and beautiful.

Fancy or Alternative Diamond Cuts

There are lots of diamond shapes that are not round brilliants, and that are all termed "fancy" shapes. Fancy shapes come in a variety of shapes. Oval diamonds, pear shape diamonds, marquise cut diamonds, emerald cut diamonds, Asscher cut diamonds, radiant cut diamonds, and princess cut diamonds are all popular alternatives to round brilliants. Vintage shapes like rose cuts, old European, and even rough diamonds are also in trend thanks to the evolution of style and taste of today's market.

Fancy shape diamonds come in many variations, and any of the shapes can be beautiful outstanding gemstones. There are all simply different versions and each can stand alone as mediocre or outstanding. Color, clarity, and the other "cut" of the diamond, proportion, are ultimately the determination of quality.

 

What diamond cuts are on trend?

The most popular fancy shape of diamond cuts today is the antique cushion cut diamond shape. The Asscher cut diamonds and Oval cut diamonds are trending as well.

Popularity in diamond shapes shift over time, so the most important thing to guide you should always be your own taste and personal preference. A beautiful cut, fine quality diamond will be beautiful in any shape as long as the proportions are very good.

 

The better the cut, the more brilliant the diamond

Proportion is the key to brilliance and beauty in a diamond. Proportion can vary wildly in any diamond shape. The better the cut, the more brilliant the diamond. Table size, overall depth, and crown angle are all indicators of proportion analysis, but there are other factors as well. Proportion analysis is a matter of evaluating all the aspects of a diamond cut, including proportion, polish, and symmetry. This sort of evaluation is best done with assistance from a trained professional as it can be somewhat complex. A graduate gemologist is the best professional to help you in your quest for the best diamond cut.


 

Work with us to Design Your Own Engagement Ring

We specialize in making custom engagement rings using raw materials or by using your own heirloom to restyle. Whether you have a style in mind or need a bit of guidance, our designers take you through the process step by step and create one of a kind pieces that last a lifetime.

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I am not sure what I can say to accurately describe how great my experiences have been with Christopher Duquet and his staff. Initially, I went to them to get an engagement ring for my girlfriend at the time. The staff was super helpful in helping me select a design for the ring along with which stones to place in the settings. Due to how great the ring and the service was, my wife and I decided to purchase our wedding rings there also. They were again super helpful in creating a new design for a wedding rings for my wife based off a pictures in magazine that she liked. I initially went to Christopher Duquet due to the high ranking I found on google, and I was not disappointed. If I could, I would rate them higher than 5 stars. – Karson L.

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