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IGI Certified Lab-Grown Diamonds
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Hand Crafted in London Hatton Garden's
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IGI Certified Lab-Grown Diamonds
Free Delivery & Returns
Hand Crafted in London Hatton Garden's
0% Interest Payments with Klarna (T&C's apply)
IGI Certified Lab-Grown Diamonds
Free Delivery & Returns
Hand Crafted in London Hatton Garden's
0% Interest Payments with Klarna (T&C's apply)
A thorough guide explaining the differences between all the diamond shapes Clear Diamonds offer.
Diamonds are often celebrated as a girl's best friend, but what's less emphasised is that there's a diamond to suit every individual style and personality. Each diamond carries its own unique story, and it's up to you to choose the one that resonates with you and helps you tell your story.
Diamond shapes vary widely, from the classic and timeless Round Brilliant, which remains the most popular choice, to more distinctive and unconventional shapes like the Marquise cut, which evokes the grandeur of a bygone era. Selecting a diamond can be as significant a decision as choosing the person who will give it to you, but in this case, it's about what you know rather than who you know.
Understanding diamond shapes can guide you through this important decision, as each shape is meticulously and mathematically cut to accentuate the diamond's best features. Whether you prefer the elegance of a Princess cut, the vintage charm of an Emerald cut, or the modern allure of a Pear shape, there's a diamond shape tailored to your taste and style.
Ultimately, choosing the perfect diamond is about finding the one that speaks to you and complements your personality and preferences. After all, every girl/guy deserves a diamond that reflects her unique beauty and individuality.
The round brilliant cut is undeniably the most popular diamond shape in the world today, accounting for more than half of all diamonds sold. Developed in Europe but often referred to as the American Ideal Cut, this iconic shape has become synonymous with timeless elegance and beauty.
Characterised by its 58 facets divided among the crown, girdle, and pavilion, the round brilliant cut is renowned for its exceptional brilliance and fire. With a typical ratio between 1.00 and 1.02, this cut maximises the diamond's shine by naturally following the rough diamond crystal.
The round brilliant cut is also the most extensively researched cut in the industry. For over a century, diamond cutters have employed advanced scientific theories of light reflection and precise mathematical calculations to optimise its fire and brilliance. This dedication to precision and craftsmanship has ensured that the round brilliant cut remains a symbol of perfection and sophistication in the world of diamonds.
The Princess cut is indeed the square version of the brilliant round cut, typically composed of either 57 or 76 facets. Its pyramidal shape with four bevelled sides creates exceptional light dispersion, making it one of the most popular choices for both solitaire engagement rings and earrings.
The Princess cut's unique design maximises the diamond's brilliance and sparkle, offering a stunning display of fire and brilliance. Due to its popularity and distinctive appearance, it's often sought after for its modern yet timeless appeal.
It's important to note that the Princess cut is a patented design. Therefore, on laboratory certificates such as those issued by IGI, it may be referred to as a Square Modified Brilliant. If the diamond has a ratio greater than 1.05, it may be labelled as a Rectangular Modified Brilliant. These terms help to distinguish the Princess cut from other square or rectangular diamond cuts and ensure clarity in the certification process.
The cushion cut, as its name implies, features a square or rectangular shape with rounded corners reminiscent of a pillow. Typically comprising 58 facets, square cushion cuts have a ratio of 1.00 to 1.05, while more rectangular ones have a ratio of 1.10 or greater. While not as brilliant as round brilliants, cushion cuts boast large facets that allow for enhanced dispersion of white light into spectral colours.
This cut can be seen as a blend of the old mine cut and modern oval shape. Over time, various modifications have been made to the traditional cushion cut, resulting in newer variations like the Cushion Modified Brilliant*. These modifications, such as additional facets on the pavilion, create effects like the "sparkling water" or "crushed ice," adding to the diamond's scintillation.
Additionally, subtle alterations such as symmetrical kite- or half-moon-shaped facets have been introduced to the pavilion and below the girdle, further enhancing the diamond's visual appeal.
The oval cut is a rounded shape typically consisting of 58 facets, with a ratio typically ranging between 1.33 and 1.66. This shape is optimised to maximise carat weight, making it appear larger than round stones of similar weight due to its elongated and symmetrical form.
Beyond its visual impact, the oval cut is favoured for its ability to elongate shorter fingers, making it a popular choice for engagement rings, particularly as a centre stone.
The pear shape is a distinctive diamond cut that combines the brilliance and design elements of both the Round Brilliant and the Marquise, resulting in a shape with a single point and rounded end.
Typically, the ratio of a pear-shaped diamond falls between 1.50 and 1.70, with the stone typically consisting of 58 facets. However, the number of pavilion facets may vary from 4 to 8. Some pear shapes feature a "French tip," where the large bezel facet at the point is replaced with star and upper girdle facets. This technique is also used in Marquise shapes. Additionally, pear-shaped diamonds may exhibit variations in appearance, with some featuring "high shoulders" that impart a more angular appearance.
The emerald cut, one of the earliest cuts used in jewellery, is a rectangular shape with truncated corners, featuring a broad, flat plane resembling stair step when viewed from above—a style known as a 'step cut'. Typically, emerald cuts consist of 57 facets, with 25 on the crown and 32 on the pavilion. However, variations in the number of facet rows on both the crown and pavilion can alter the total number of facets for this cut.
While emerald cuts generally exhibit less fire and brilliance compared to brilliant cuts, their broad, flat plane accentuates the clarity of the diamond and its natural crystalline rectangular growth. The flat edges also allow for the incorporation of side gemstones, such as long, thin rectangular diamonds known as baguettes.
The Marquise Brilliant cut, also known as the "Navette" shape, derives its name from the French word meaning "little boat," as its silhouette resembles the hull of a small boat. Typically, the Marquise cut comprises 58 facets, with 33 on the crown and 25 on the pavilion. However, the number of pavilion facets may vary between 4 and 8. Additionally, Marquise shapes may feature a "French tip," where the large bezel facet at the point is replaced with star and upper girdle facets. This technique is also used in Pear shapes.
Traditionally, the Marquise cut is designed with a ratio of 2:1, but it is more commonly cut to ratios ranging between 1.85 and 2.10 according to personal preference.
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