The Perfect Diamond Cut for Your Hand

Understanding the Types of Diamond Shapes

Understanding the types of diamond shapes is essential for any enthusiast or buyer seeking to appreciate and invest in an engagement ring. Diamond shapes, ranging from classic round brilliants to unique and intricate designs, profoundly influence a gem's brilliance, sparkle, and overall aesthetic appeal.

1. Pear

The pear cut, also known as the teardrop cut, is characterised by its unique shape with one rounded and one pointed end. It typically features 58 facets, arranged to maximise brilliance, fire, and sparkle, much like the round brilliant cut. Symmetry is essential in a well-cut pear gemstone to ensure the rounded and pointed ends align perfectly, creating a balanced and elegant teardrop shape. Gemologists and jewellers consider these technical details when assessing and valuing pear-cut gemstones, as they significantly influence the gem's overall appearance and desirability.

 

 

 

2. Oval

The oval cut is a popular gemstone and diamond cut distinguished by its elongated, elliptical shape. It typically features 56 to 58 facets carefully arranged to maximize brilliance and sparkle. Similar to the round brilliant cut, symmetry plays a critical role in ensuring the oval's two ends are even and well-balanced, which is important for its aesthetic appeal. Oval-cut gemstones offer a classic yet unique appearance and can vary in length-to-width ratio, allowing for customisation based on personal preference. Gemologists and jewellers consider these technical details when assessing and valuing oval-cut gemstones, as they significantly impact their overall beauty and value.

 

3. Emerald

The emerald cut is a gemstone cut known for its elegant, rectangular shape with cropped corners, resembling stair steps. It features rectangular facets with parallel lines that create a "hall of mirrors" effect, emphasising the gem's clarity and colour. Unlike brilliant cuts, the emerald cut prioritises showcasing the gem's natural qualities over sparkle, making it a popular choice for emeralds and diamonds and other precious stones. Symmetry and step-cut faceting are essential for this cut, and it often includes bevelled corners for added durability. Gemologists and jewellers consider these technical details when assessing and valuing emerald-cut gemstones, as they significantly influence their character and value.

 

4. Heart

The heart cut is a romantic and distinctive gemstone or diamond cut with a heart-shaped appearance, often used in sentimental jewellery like engagement rings. It features 59 facets for brilliance and sparkle, and its symmetry is crucial to maintaining a balanced heart shape. This cut's uniqueness and emotional symbolism make it a popular choice for love-themed jewellery. Gemologists and jewellers consider these technical details when assessing heart-cut gemstones, as they strongly influence the gem's appeal and value.

 

5. Kite

The kite cut is a distinctive gemstone or diamond cut with a shape resembling a kite, featuring diagonal corners that create a unique and eye-catching appearance. This cut typically incorporates step-cut facets, emphasising the gem's clarity and colour, and its facets are often arranged in a geometric pattern. The kite cut's unusual shape and faceting contribute to its striking and contemporary look, making it a choice for those seeking a non-traditional and modern jewellery design.

 

6. Marquise

The marquise cut is a gemstone or diamond cut known for its elongated oval shape with pointed ends resembling a football or boat. It typically features 56 to 58 facets that maximise brilliance, and its symmetry is crucial to ensure the pointed ends align accurately, creating an elegant and balanced appearance. Marquise-cut gemstones are favoured for their ability to create the illusion of longer and slimmer fingers when set in rings.

 

7. Round

The round cut is a classic and timeless gemstone or diamond cut, known for its circular shape with 57 or 58 facets that maximise brilliance, fire, and sparkle. Achieving precise symmetry is crucial in round cuts to create a perfectly circular appearance. Its versatility and exceptional light performance make it the most popular diamond and gemstone choice. Gemologists and jewellers value round-cut gemstones for their timeless elegance and ability to exhibit a brilliant and captivating play of light.

 

8. Hexagonal

The hexagonal cut is a unique and distinctive gemstone or diamond cut characterised by its six-sided shape reminiscent of a hexagon. This cut often features a mix of step-cut and brilliant-cut facets to balance brilliance and clarity, while its six sides create an eye-catching and modern appearance. The precision of symmetry is essential in hexagonal cuts to maintain the shape's distinct geometry. Hexagonal-cut gemstones are favoured for their contemporary and unconventional design, making them attractive for those seeking a non-traditional and trendy look in their jewellery. Gemologists and jewellers assess and value hexagonal-cut gemstones with a focus on these technical details, as they strongly influence the gem's individuality and appeal.

 

9. Cushion

The cushion cut is a beloved and versatile gemstone or diamond cut, recognised for its square or rectangular shape with rounded corners, resembling a pillow or cushion. This cut typically includes 58 facets that combine elements of step-cut and brilliant-cut facets, delivering a beautiful balance between brilliance and clarity. Maintaining symmetry is crucial to ensure the corners are uniform and pleasing to the eye. Cushion-cut gemstones are highly valued for their timeless elegance and ability to showcase a delightful interplay of light and colour.

 

10. Shield

The shield cut is a distinctive and uncommon gemstone or diamond cut known for its shield-like shape with straight sides and a pointed bottom. This cut typically incorporates step-cut facets to emphasise clarity and colour, and its facets are often arranged to optimise brilliance. Achieving precise symmetry is important in shield cuts to create a well-proportioned and balanced appearance. Shield-cut gemstones are prized for their unique and regal design, making them an appealing choice for those seeking a bold and unconventional look in their jewellery.

 

What to Consider When Choosing The Perfect Diamond Cut?

Finger Shape and Size

When choosing an engagement ring, considering your finger shape and size is paramount for comfort and aesthetics. Different finger shapes, such as long and slender or short and wide, can impact how a ring sits and appears on your hand. The right ring should enhance the natural beauty of your fingers and provide a comfortable fit. Additionally, finger size influences the choice of the ring's bandwidth, ensuring it complements your hand's proportions. Taking these factors into account ensures that the engagement ring looks stunning and feels just right.

 

The 4'cs

Diamonds are valued based on four characteristics, also known as the 4 C's. These are as follows:

Cut

A diamond's brilliant shine depends on how light is reflected from it. A well-cut diamond has many angles; the more, the better, which are proportional and symmetrical. A raw diamond bears little resemblance to the diamonds found in fine jewellery pieces. It is the process of cutting and polishing the stone that the true beauty comes out.

Clarity

As a naturally occurring mineral, diamonds are full of imperfections. Many have marks or irregular surfaces that reduce the diamond's clarity. Clear diamonds are rare and, as a result, valued highly. Clarity grading is done on an 11-point scale ranging from 'flawless' to 'included'. Flawless diamonds are the most highly valued and extremely rare.

Colour

Usually, diamonds range from being colourless to yellow and even brown. Diamonds with a yellowish and brownish tinge cost less, while colourless diamonds are the most sought-after ones. Two diamonds with the same cut, clarity and weight can be priced very differently just because of the colour of the diamond.

Carat

A carat is equivalent to one-fifth of a gram, which means 1 carat is equal to 0.2 grams. Large-sized diamonds are so rare that the value of diamonds does not increase in proportion to their weight. This means that a two-carat diamond will cost more than double that of a one-carat diamond.

 

Once you have chosen your perfect diamond cut, here are the next details to consider:

Ring Band Shape

1. Flat

​​A flat ring band has a straight, even surface, creating a modern and minimalist look in jewellery design.

2. Court

A court band, also known as a comfort-fit band, features a rounded inner surface for a comfortable fit, while the outer surface is flat. This design combines comfort with a contemporary appearance, making it a popular choice for various rings, especially wedding bands.

3. D-Shape

A D-shape band is characterised by a flat outer surface and a rounded inner surface, forming a "D" cross-section. This design provides a classic and timeless look, offering comfort with a traditional aesthetic. D-shape bands are commonly used for wedding rings and engagement bands.

4. Pavé

Pavé bands feature small, closely set gemstones, often diamonds, decorating the surface of the ring, creating a dazzling, paved appearance. This design adds a luxurious and sparkling touch to jewellery, making it a popular choice for engagement rings, wedding bands, and other ornate pieces. The tiny gemstones are secured with tiny prongs, giving the impression of a continuous sparkle

6. Knife Edge

A knife-edge band is characterised by a sharply angled, V-shaped centre that tapers down to the ring's base. This design provides a unique and eye-catching appearance, giving the ring a dramatic, edgy look. Knife-edge bands are often used for engagement rings, offering a modern and striking alternative to traditional band styles.

 

Ring Settings

When designing a ring, there are various ring settings to consider, each impacting the overall appearance and security of the gemstone. Common settings include claw, which uses metal claws to hold the gem in place, offering maximum visibility and light exposure; bezel, where a metal rim encircles the gem for added protection; channel, which holds gemstones in a groove within the band, creating a sleek, continuous look; and pavé, featuring small gemstones set closely together on the surface. Choosing the right setting is crucial for achieving the desired look and durability of the ring.

 

How To Find a Diamond Cut That is The Perfect Fit For Your Finger

To find a diamond cut that's the perfect fit for your finger, you should consider the diamond's brilliance and the shape that complements your finger. If you have shorter fingers, an elongated diamond cut like the marquise, oval, or pear can create the illusion of length. Or, if you prefer more compact diamond shapes but have shorter fingers, elongated emerald cuts or elongated cushion cuts will also create that lengthened illusion. On the other hand, those with longer fingers may prefer round or cushion cuts. The diamond spread, which refers to the size of the diamond's surface area, also matters. A broader spread, like emerald or radiant cuts, can make the diamond appear larger and cover more of your finger, while a narrower spread, such as in the princess or heart cut, offers a more compact look. It's essential to strike a balance between your style, finger shape, and the diamond's unique characteristics to find the perfect fit that flatters your hand and resonates with your taste.