| Some people make the mistake of referring to | | | | of cut names that have become more well |
| the cut of a diamond when what they're really | | | | known than the shape of the diamond the cuts |
| talking about is the shape of the diamond. It's a | | | | are on. For instance, an Asscher cut diamond, |
| mistake so commonly made by so many people | | | | which is known for its ability to give off a high |
| that now it's considered acceptable to call it a | | | | sparkle, is made from a rectangular stone. |
| round cut or a marquise cut even though | | | | The trillion cut diamond is made from triangular |
| technically they're actually referring to the shape. | | | | stone with equal sides. Then there's the pillow cut, |
| Here's the difference - cut refers more to the | | | | or cushion cut diamond, made from more of a |
| number of facets, the angles of the stone and | | | | square shape. There's also step cut, fancy cut |
| how deep or shallow the stone has been cut | | | | and brilliant cut. As if engaged couples don't have |
| from the raw crystal. Cut influences how light | | | | enough decisions to make, just the ones involved |
| enters and leaves the diamond. If a stone has | | | | in choosing a diamond engagement ring can be |
| been cut too deeply, light that enters from the | | | | mind-boggling! |
| top is dispersed out the sides and the diamond | | | | And that just covers the very basics of diamond |
| won't have the same ability to 'sparkle' as a stone | | | | shapes and cuts. I haven't even touched on the 4 |
| of the proper depth. It may even look dark or | | | | Cs of diamonds, which is vital information to know |
| shadowed. | | | | before you even start looking at diamond |
| If, on the other hand, the cut is too shallow, light | | | | engagement rings. You have to know what to |
| will pass straight through from top to bottom, | | | | look for in a diamond in order to know if the price |
| never reflecting at all. A diamond that's cut too | | | | offered is a good deal or a good hosing. |
| shallow will appear lifeless and have no luster. The | | | | Other things that must be considered before you |
| optimal cut allows light to enter from the top, | | | | begin shopping include the metal of the band, (do |
| reflect off the bottom of the stone and leave | | | | you want white gold, yellow gold, platinum, |
| again through the top. This is the cut that gives | | | | titanium or tungsten?) and the type of setting |
| the most fire and brilliance to a diamond. A proper | | | | that's most desirable, (prong set? How many |
| cut is essential for a diamond to have maximum | | | | prongs are best?), bezel set, invisible set, channel |
| sparkle. | | | | set...dear heavens, it's little wonder that women |
| Compare that to shape, which refers to the literal | | | | start thinking about a wedding when they're still |
| shape of the diamond as you look down at the | | | | little girls! We need that much time just to sort |
| top of the stone. Many names of diamond shapes | | | | out all our options! |
| are self-explanatory. Round, pear (also called | | | | Fortunately, the website listed below can offer |
| teardrop) heart and oval all describe easily | | | | some guidance in shopping for diamond |
| identifiable shapes. But there are others whose | | | | engagement rings. Many of these topics are |
| shapes are not so easily figured out by just | | | | discussed in more detail and written in an easy to |
| hearing the name. Even emerald shape could | | | | read style that's simple to understand. |
| probably be guessed correctly. Others, like | | | | Understanding the terminology will help reduce |
| baguette, marquise, princess, and radiant are | | | | some of the confusion and allow you to make an |
| more difficult to describe if you're not already | | | | informed decision when it's time to choose the |
| familiar with those terms. | | | | perfect diamond engagement ring. |
| To further confuse matters, there are a number | | | | |