The Different Diamond Cuts

One of the biggest reasons for a diamond's timeless appeal is the fact that they sparkle and shine like no other gemstone on earth, creating a visual feast for the eyes. While every diamond sparkles, not every diamond is identical in value or quality.

The cut of the diamond, i.e. the shape into which the stones are crafted, is one of the most noticeable differences.

Each cut has its own distinct advantages. Diamond buyers should be aware of the cut of the stone they are buying, as selecting the right cut can go a long way into buying something truly special for a loved one.

Here is everything you need to know about a diamond's cut:

The standard round cut is the most popular choice for diamond buyers around the world.

Diamonds cut this way have the familiar rounded or oval shape we all know and love. According to estimates by the Diamond Buying Guide 75% of all diamonds sold today are round cut. Round cut diamonds have 58 facets, and are considered by many to be the shiniest diamonds giving off more gleam and sparkle than other cuts.

Oval cut diamonds

Oval cut diamonds have the same brilliance and symmetrical elegance as its round cut counterparts, with the added benefit of making short fingers wearing an oval-cut diamond ring seem longer. The longer look created by oval cut diamonds make them popular for women with delicate, slender hands.

Pointed cut diamonds

Pointed cut diamonds are made up of the marquise cut or the pear cut. Designed to mimic the enigmatic smile of the Marquise de Pompodor, marquise cut diamonds resembles oval diamonds with elongated points at the top and bottom. Marquis cut diamonds are considered to be a more contemporary cut than the traditional round or oval cut.

Pear cut diamonds

Pear cut diamonds resemble the fruit from which they were named, having a pointed top and a gently rounded bottom. Also referred to as the tear shape, pear cut diamonds, are most commonly used in pendants and earrings, but can be made to fit into several eye-catching ring designs.

Square cut diamonds

Square cut diamonds are comprised of the princess, emerald and radiant cuts. The princess cut is by far the most popular of all square cuts, since it can be crafted to fit in a perfect square or rectangular frame. This is a distinctive cut whose popularity waxes and wanes with the fashions of the time. While princess cut diamonds are typically set as solitary stones, they can sometimes be accented by side-stones to give it a regal look.

Emerald cut diamonds

Emerald-cut diamonds have an old fashioned flat panel or stair shaped design that reached its height in popularity in the 1920s. Stone cutters today don't favor this design because emerald cuts reveal the diamond's flaws and inclusions more easily than other cuts. Diamonds that are used for emerald cuts have to be near flawless, greatly increasing their price and reducing their mass market appeal. Radiant cut diamonds are a combination of the princess and round cuts. Diamonds cut in this way combine the brilliant faceting associated with round cuts with a square or rectangular shape reminiscent of princess cuts.

There are also a number of unusual cuts that can prove popular by making a piece of jewelry stand out of the crowd.

These cuts include cushion, trilliant and heart shaped diamonds. Cushion diamonds are something of a cross between an oval and radiant cuts. The faceting found in cushion cuts gives the illusion of a soft and plus cushion.

Popular diamond cuts

Cushion cuts were extremely popular in the past and are commonly found in antique jewelry. Trilliant cuts originated in Amsterdam, and are essentially triangle shaped diamonds. Trilliant cuts are extremely rare in the marketplace, but gives off a superior brilliance. Equally uncommon are the heart shaped cuts. Heart shaped diamonds are popular in rings or pendants and are always set as a solitary stone since any side stones would detract from its unique shape.