The cut of a diamond has a major impact on how it shines and glitters in the light. Diamonds do not come out of the ground sparkling like they do on a piece of jewelry. It is only after being cut into facets by a jeweler and polished that they take on their iconic gleam. A good cut can even disguise minor flaws in a diamond so that someone looking at them would never know that they were anything but perfect. These are some of the most popular cuts given to diamonds today.
Round Brilliant
The round brilliant is a classic cut made up of 57 facets. The diamond is circular in shape with a flat top and an elongated pointed bottom. The pointed lower part serves to give the diamond depth, while the many small facets along the round up edge catch the light and cause the gem to sparkle. The round brilliant was developed in 1900, making it one of the oldest cuts that is still in regular use today.
Passion Cut
The passion cut is a modification of the round brilliant. It has a compressed vertical axis, making it shorter than the round brilliant, though it still maintains the same basic shape. The passion cut diamond is one of the most brilliant shapes available, but it lacks the clear depths of a round brilliant. This extra sparkle is achieved by adding additional facets to the top of the diamond, a feat that requires a very skilled jeweler to do correctly.
Modified Brilliant
Modified brilliants are from the family of diamonds called fancy cuts. They begin with the basic formula of a round brilliant diamond, but the stone is then modified into a variety of different shapes. Hearts, triangles, pears and ovals are some of the different types of modified brilliant cuts available. Though modified brilliants do sparkle, there is almost always a slight loss of reflective quality when the diamond’s shape is modified.
Step Cut
The step cut is a vintage style that is still in use today. These diamonds are generally cut in the shape of squares of rectangles. They have broad flat tops and bottoms with ascending steps cut into the edges. These stones are not as bright as brilliant cuts, but they accentuate the diamond’s clarity and color.
Rose Cut
The rose cut imitates the spiral of a rose’s petals, with the facets narrowing as they approach the center of the stone. Variations on this cut have been in use since the 1500s, but they are rarely used nowadays except when trying to create jewelry that purposefully looks antique or vintage.
Mixed Cuts
Mixed cuts combine brilliant and step cuts into one single stone. They give the wearer the best of both worlds: a stone that shines brightly and also displays clarity. The most popular mixed cut is he princess cut, which looks like an inverted pyramid with a flat top and long pointed bottom.
Not every diamond can be cut in all possible ways. Work with a jeweler to find the right mix of stone and cut for your engagement ring or other piece of jewelry.
