| Diamond should not to be confused with diamond | | | | basically, with a cleft at the top. Its quality |
| shape. Cut refers to the angle and proportions of | | | | depends greatly on the skills of the diamond |
| the incisions made in the process of shaping the | | | | cutter. |
| stone. There are only two basic kinds of diamond | | | | Radiant Cut Diamonds |
| cuts: the step cut and the brilliant cut. These can | | | | An even combination of the brilliant cut and step |
| be modified and combined to create different | | | | cut, the radiant diamond has a rectangular shape |
| shapes and diamond properties. | | | | with slightly rounded edges and, with its 70 facets |
| The step cut is simple and achieved by making | | | | designed to maximize color refraction, it has an |
| gradual incisions that create steps along a stone's | | | | increased brilliance. |
| surface. The shape that most naturally results | | | | Marquise Diamonds |
| from this type of cut is the rectangular, emerald | | | | Marquise diamonds (so called because they were |
| shape. Though not as brilliant, step cut diamonds | | | | [supposedly] inspired by the shape of the smile of |
| have an old-school simplicity and grace. | | | | the Marquise de Pompadour) were commissioned |
| The brilliant cut is made at gradual angles designed | | | | by France's Louis XIV. They have an elongated |
| to give the diamond maximum internal light | | | | shape that comes to a point at either end. |
| refraction. The shape associated with the brilliant | | | | Princes Cut Diamonds |
| cut is the round diamond. The round diamond is | | | | A very popular shape today, the princess |
| by far the most popular diamond shape today, | | | | diamond is sharply square-shaped. However, |
| used often for engagement rings. Here are some | | | | rather than the step cut, it uses a modified |
| other kinds of diamond shapes that use a variety | | | | version of the brilliant cut to achieve a surprising |
| of the two basic cuts. | | | | brilliance. |
| Heart Shaped Diamonds | | | | Trillion Cut Diamonds |
| Heart shaped diamonds are a popular and | | | | Created in the late seventies, these diamonds are |
| romantic choice, especially as stand-alone stones | | | | an adaptation of the radiant diamond. They are |
| in pendants and necklaces. But the heart diamond | | | | the shape of an equilateral triangle and use an |
| is difficult to make. It's a pear shaped diamond, | | | | even combination of step and brilliant cuts. |