| The engagement ring modern Western culture | | | | famous mistress of King Louis V. The long shape |
| tends to be fairly standardized. A diamond, | | | | of the diamond is flattering to the hand, giving the |
| sometimes surrounded by other, smaller stones, | | | | illusion of added length. |
| set into a band of precious metal. However, the | | | | Pear cut diamonds, sometimes called teardrop cut, |
| cut of the diamond or diamonds has a huge | | | | are considered a fancy cut. The shape, when |
| impact on the appearance and tone of the ring. | | | | viewed from above, is similar to that of a pear, |
| Diamond styles include round, princess, radiant, | | | | with a broad base that extends to a point. This |
| emerald, oval, pear, asscher, flanders, heart, | | | | style is most attractive on hands with small or |
| cushion, marquise, old miner and trillion cuttings. | | | | average-length fingers. It is not commonly used |
| Each has certain defining characteristics, and each | | | | for rings today, although it was more popular in |
| tends to rise and fall in popularity in accordance | | | | bygone eras. |
| with the times. | | | | The emerald cut is a very dramatic style. It is so |
| The most common cut for a diamond today is | | | | named because the shape was originally |
| the brilliant cut, which takes full advantage of the | | | | developed for the green gem rather than the |
| diamond's potential sparkle. The numerous facets | | | | diamond. Emerald cut diamonds are basically |
| of the style and the conical shape of the stone | | | | rectangular, featuring long, clean lines. They tend |
| maximize light return through the top of the | | | | to be less fiery than brilliants or princess cuts, but |
| diamond, enhancing the gem's sparkle. This style | | | | they do produce broader, more dramatic flashes |
| of diamond cut was invented in Italy in the middle | | | | of light. Emerald cut diamonds lend a sophisticated, |
| of the 17th century. A modern round brilliant cut | | | | elegant air to an engagement ring. |
| diamond has 58 facets, 33 on the crown and 25 | | | | Radiant cut diamonds combine the appearances of |
| on the lower portion of the stone. | | | | brilliant and emerald cuts. Such diamonds are |
| Princess cut diamond engagement rings are quite | | | | generally rectangular in shape, but with rounded |
| popular at present. This shape accents the fire | | | | corners. The radiant diamond has 70 facets, |
| and sparkle of the stone rather than its luster. | | | | ensuring a great deal of light and color refraction. |
| The diamond is square when viewed from above | | | | The design requires that more weight be directed |
| and pyramid-shaped when seen from the side. | | | | toward the diamond's depth in order to maximize |
| The square appearance makes the diamond fairly | | | | brilliance. |
| unique in appearance, a contributing factor to its | | | | The cushion cut diamond is a relatively antique |
| popularity. Princess cut diamonds are a fairly | | | | style, although it is currently enjoying a small |
| recent advent, having been invented only in 1979. | | | | resurgence. It is ovular in shape, but differs from |
| Marquise diamonds are basically ovular in shape, | | | | an oval cut in the size of the facets. Cushion |
| but the ends are pointed. The legend is that the | | | | diamonds are not as fiery or brilliant as many of |
| shape was inspired by the smile of the Marquise | | | | the newer styles, but it has a romantic and classic |
| de Pompadour, a well-known courtesan and | | | | look that makes it stand out. |