Diamond Guide
As an iconic symbol of lasting love, every diamond is unique and beautiful in its own way. From the objective value of a diamond to the unique features that reflect your personal style, there is a lot to consider before you make a purchase. Our diamond guide is here to help you navigate your options and find a diamond you’ll love.
Diamond Cut
Cut refers to a stone’s shape, facet, and polish. Sometimes diamonds are cut so they’re heavier, thus fetching more value for their carat weight. Sometimes they’re cut to hide or minimize inclusions by expert diamond cutters skilled at bringing the brilliance out of each diamond they work with.
In general, there are three factors that determine a diamond's cut quality:
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Proportion: The relative size and angle of each diamond facet
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Symmetry: The precision of the cut design, especially the facets
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Polish: The smoothness and luster of the diamond's surface
For certified diamonds, cut grades are referenced on the diamond's certificate often using the GIA standards of Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair, and Poor. The quality of a diamond's cut always speaks for itself. The cuts can take shape in a number of ways to work with many types of jewellery and personal preferences:
Emerald Cut Diamonds
Often referred to as a “step-cut” for its wide, flat plane with edges that look like stairs, an emerald-cut diamond is usually a rectangular shape with cut corners. The unique shape gives a “hall of mirrors” effect and works well with Art Deco and vintage-inspired jewellery.
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Radiant Cut Diamonds
With 70 facets, a radiant-cut diamond shines with breathtaking sparkle and brilliance. Its square shape is inspired by the princess cut but the cropped corners make it a little more durable. Perfect for engagement rings and other romantic jewellery, a radiant cut is a newer cut that is steadily gaining in popularity thanks to its elegance.
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Pear Cut Diamonds
Combining features from the round and marquise shapes, a pear-cut diamond is one of the only asymmetrical options featuring a tapered point on only one end. Rare and unique, a pear-cut is perfect for anyone who appreciates timeless elegance with a contemporary flair.
Heart Cut Diamonds
Most often featured in a solitaire setting, heart-cut diamonds are a unique and romantic choice. The complex shape requires extreme skill and precision to cut properly and works best with larger diamonds to ensure balance and symmetry. Quality heart-cut diamonds are rare and can be more expensive than other more common cuts.
Cushion Cut Diamonds
Once the most popular cut of them all, a cushion-cut diamond is a classic choice that is now considered an “antique cut”. With its vintage flair, a cushion cut has a number of variations that highlight scintillation and sparkle. Choosing the right cushion cut option is all about personal preference.
Oval Cut Diamonds
One of the oldest and most elegant options, an oval-cut diamond is a practical choice for anyone with an active lifestyle. The absence of sharp corners makes an oval cut less likely to snag or chip and the elongated shape also tends to appear larger than it actually is. Classic and feminine, oval cut is for anyone with a minimalist style.
Princess Cut Diamonds
As one of the most popular cuts for engagement rings, a princess-cut diamond is a modern, sophisticated choice that offers both brilliance and sparkle. Its versatility makes a princess cut ideal for a wide range of settings and it is often paired with an infinity band. The sleek and classic look is also popular for diamond stud earrings.
Marquise Cut Diamonds
Once reserved for royalty, a marquise cut is an elongated “eye shape” featuring a point on either end and one of the largest surface areas of any diamond cut. Ideally, the dramatic and unique marquise cut will have perfect symmetry and be set with prongs to protect its points from
Round Cut Diamonds
The classic round cut is still the most popular cut for many types of jewellery including engagement rings, diamond stud earrings, and diamond pendants. Known for their fire, brilliance, and scintillation, a round cut has the ability to bring out the best in a diamond which is why it continues to be a classic choice.