| Choosing the shape of your diamond jewelry is | | | | as inclusions and weak color are more noticeable |
| one of the keyelements in determining the overall | | | | inthis cut. |
| appearance of your ringor other diamond jewelry. | | | | Pear Shape Diamond - Exactly as it says, this |
| There are many shapes andvariations from which | | | | diamond ispear-shaped, or sometimes reminding |
| to choose, but first off do notconfuse "shape" | | | | one of a teardrop. Mostoften found on pendants |
| with "cut". A diamond's shape is just that:the | | | | and earrings. |
| outward appearance of the stone, whether it is | | | | Heart Shaped Diamonds - A brilliant cut, the heart |
| round,oval etc.; while the cut refers to how the | | | | shapeddiamond is a romantic choice that varies |
| diamond itself isfashioned, how many facets and | | | | from jeweler tojeweler as it's shape can be |
| so on. Below I'll examine thevarious diamond | | | | greatly influenced by the skillof whimsy of the |
| shapes and tell a little about each of them,in order | | | | gem cutter, as well as variable facetconfigurations. |
| to help you make that all-important choice. | | | | Seek out a perfectly symmetrical stone. |
| Round Brilliant Diamonds - By far the most | | | | Trillion Cut Diamonds - A newcomer, born in the |
| popular,accounting for more than 75% of | | | | lateseventies, this diamond is a triangle stone with |
| diamonds purchased today,they are also the most | | | | equalsides. These can make stunning earrings. |
| expensive. Most coveted as anengagement ring, | | | | Baguette Cut Diamonds - Another step cut |
| they also find their way into earrings andpendants. | | | | diamond shape thatis most frequently employed |
| Round Brilliant Diamonds are noted for their | | | | as side stones. Because it hasfew facets, quality |
| fireand brilliance. | | | | and color come into play more here |
| Oval Diamonds - A perfectly symmetrical design | | | | asimperfections become more visible in these |
| yields alarge surface area that gives the | | | | uncomplicated,though elegant diamonds. |
| impression of a muchlarger diamond, oval | | | | Radiant Diamonds - A square or rectangularly |
| diamonds are favored by women withsmaller | | | | shaped diamond,the Radiant resembles the |
| hands or shorter fingers, it's shape giving | | | | emerald shape but has 70 facets,making it much |
| anelongated look to the hand. | | | | more brilliant and dazzling than the Emeraldshape. |
| Princess Cut Diamonds - Though in appearance | | | | Asscher Cut Diamonds - A rectangular shaped |
| the smallest ofdiamonds, a Princess Cut Diamond | | | | diamond with highcrown step facets, this shape |
| is basically an invertedpyramid which puts most of | | | | was patented in 1902 and isknow for it's fire and |
| the carat weight near the bottom. | | | | ability to return light. |
| Princess cut diamonds are most often sought as | | | | Cushion Cut Diamonds - Sometimes referred to |
| solitaires,and are a relatively recent shape. | | | | as "pillowcut", this shape was popular in the 1800's. |
| Marquise Diamonds - Another diamond shape that | | | | Cut with candlelight in mind, (nothing else available |
| looks largerthan it actually is, the Marquise | | | | at the time!) thecushion cut is a rectangular |
| diamond is elongated withpoints on each end, | | | | squarish shape, with more thana touch of old |
| though sometimes altered to a "Frenchtip" where | | | | world elegance about it. |
| the end point is excised. A great choice for | | | | Kite, Trapezoid & Half-Moon diamonds - |
| asolitaire. | | | | Lesser know shapesused mainly for side stones. |
| Emerald Cut - Rectangular with corner cuts, this | | | | Choosing the right diamond shape can be more |
| diamond isalso called a step cut, because of the | | | | easilyaccomplished with a little information and the |
| shape that resemblesstair steps. Large, open | | | | help of aprofessional jeweler. Here's hoping you |
| facets on this diamond make itimperative to | | | | find that perfectdiamond! |
| choose a stone of greater clarity and highercolor, | | | | |