| “Diamond cut” often gets confused with | | | | step cut, they use a modified version of the |
| “diamond shape”, the terms being used | | | | brilliant cut, allowing it to retain more sparkle. |
| interchangeably by most people. However, | | | | The Radiant Cut Diamond |
| diamond cut refers to the type of incision | | | | Radiant cut diamonds have a rectangular shaped |
| that’s made into the rock as it is being | | | | but with more rounded edges. Radiant diamonds |
| shaped. Cut does not refer to the final shape | | | | combine the step cut and the brilliant cut and |
| itself. | | | | have 70 facets, which helps maximize color |
| There are basically two types of general cuts. | | | | refraction inside the stone. |
| One is called the step cut. It is a simple cut that | | | | The Heart Shaped Diamond |
| involves small, gradual incisions that create | | | | A popular and romantic option, the heart shaped |
| “steps”. The most naturally resulting shape | | | | diamond is actually very difficult to make. It is |
| of the step cut is the rectangular or so-called | | | | basically a pear (or tear) shaped diamond with a |
| emerald shape. Step cut diamonds are not as | | | | cleft at the top. The quality of the heart shaped |
| brilliant as round diamonds, but their elongated | | | | diamond depends on the cutter’s skill. |
| shape gives them an old-world elegance. | | | | The Marquise Diamond |
| The other kind of cut is the brilliant cut. The | | | | Allegedly inspired by the smile of the Marquise de |
| incisions on a brilliant cut diamond are made at an | | | | Pompadour, the marquis diamond has an |
| angle that best maximizes internal refraction. The | | | | elongated shape that comes to a point on both |
| standard shape produced by this cut in the round | | | | ends. It’s said that it was commissioned by |
| shaped diamond, the most popular shape to date, | | | | France’s Louis XIV. |
| used often on engagement rings. | | | | The Trillion Cut Diamond |
| Buy mixing and modifying these two cuts, | | | | Developed in the late seventies, the trillion cut |
| diamond cutters can produce a variety of shapes. | | | | diamond is a triangular version of the radiant cut |
| Here as some of the most popular examples. | | | | diamond. It combines the step and brilliant cuts in |
| The Princess Diamond | | | | the shape of an equilateral triangle. |
| Princess diamonds are the most popular of the | | | | Other shapes include the pear, cushion cut, and |
| so-called fancy shaped diamonds. They’re in | | | | asscher cut diamonds. |
| the shape of a sharp square, but rather than a | | | | |