Emerald cut diamond shape

The emerald shaped diamonds are square shaped with rounded corners. Emerald cut diamond shape resembles a box when looked down from above. The name 'emerald cut' comes from the fact that emerald was cut in the same way. The emerald shape has fewer facets as compared to the round diamond but still is popular as it resembles a clear sheet of glass. The emerald cut comes in square as well as rectangle shape.

The emerald cut diamonds is different from other diamonds because of its pavilion. This variation of the diamond cut is such that it is cut with rectangular facets that reflect far more light than other cuts, giving it a radiant brilliance that is par excellence. The most preferred Emerald Cuts are those with the length-to-width ratio being 1.30 and 1.40.

The emerald cut diamond can be absolutely stunning. Because of it's long lines, it tends to be less fiery than a "round brilliant" cut, but it also tends to have broader, more dramatic flashes of light. The trim lines of emerald cut diamonds lend an elegant, sophisticated air to both the simplest and most elaborate ring settings.

While this is one of most popular variants of the Diamond family, it does have certain flaws that one should be careful of when making a purchase. Firstly, one must keep in mind the quality of the diamond; obviously it has to be worth its price, which can be guaranteed when purchased from a certified diamond merchant. It is not like the flaws cannot be noticed as easily. In fact one may come across an emerald cut that lacks in color and brilliance. But, on the brighter side the Emerald Cut is far more affordable than the cushion cut.

The recommended proportions that should be checked for when purchasing the Emerald cut include, 'G' color, VS2 clarity; 58% to 69% depth range.

An emerald cut with a length to width ratio of approximately 1.35:1 is generally the most prized. However, in recent years, square emerald cuts have become extremely popular.

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Heart cut diamond shape

Heart cut diamonds looks like pear shape diamonds with a notch cut into the top. As the name suggests the heart cut diamond shape is of a heart which is difficult to achieve in a diamond. Apart from the trouble the good thing is that as the heart is the symbol of love, and the diamond is the symbol for eternity.

The heart shaped brilliant bears some similarity to the pear shape, except that there is a cleft at the top. In fact, often the reason cutters may choose a Heart shape over a Pear may be that the Rough Diamond contained an inclusion located in the cleft. The skill of the cutter can make a great difference in the beauty of this cut. The shape appeal is especially important with Hearts.

When a diamond is heart shaped it becomes a symbol of everlasting love. All around the world heart shaped diamond engagement rings are more popular and most sought after.

A heart-shaped stone is usually proportioned with equal length and width, approximating a ratio of 1:1. A length to width ratio of between 0.90:1 and 1.15:1 is preferred. The ratio should not fall below 0.80:1 or exceed 1.20:1

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Pear cut diamond shape

Pear cut diamond shape is similar to a pear and also resembles a droplet. The rounded bottom with both sides tapering together on the top forming a diamond drop is very enchanting. Pear cut diamond shape is a hybrid cut, combining two shapes, one half oval, and the other half marquise. It is shaped most like a sparkling teardrop. Due to the teardrop shape pendants looks very nice set with a Pear shape as do earrings.

It also belongs to that category of diamond whose design most complements a hand with small or average-length fingers. The pear shaped brilliant diamond is based upon the traditional configuration of the round brilliant diamond. More than other fancy shapes, length-to-width ratio is a matter of taste when it comes to pear shaped diamonds. Because pears may be used for engagement rings, suites in necklaces, dangles in earrings, and integral parts of custom designs, a wide variety of shapes is considered desirable. The typical pear shaped diamond will contain 58 facets.

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Marquise cut diamond shape

The name "Marquise" came from a legend of the Marquise of Pompadour that the Sun King wanted a Diamond to be polished into the shape of the mouth of the Marquise! The typical Marquise Brilliant contains 56 facets.

Marquise cut diamond shape is such that it will appear big and give you a much larger-looking brilliant diamond. This fancy-shaped marquise diamond looks beautiful set in any design. The shape is enhanced to its full potential when surrounded with side stones. The length of this particular shaped diamond accentuates the fingers and makes them appear long and slender.

It is gorgeous when used as a solitaire or when enhanced by smaller diamonds. A poor cut in Marquise is most often detectable by the "bow-tie effect" which is judged by the unaided eye.

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Oval cut diamond shape

Most oval diamonds are like a squashed round brilliant. Because their depth to diameter ratio varies, they can never be a "perfect" proportion, and therefore lose some brilliance when compared with a round diamond. Actually most "round" diamonds are very slightly off-round.

The oval shaped brilliant is very similar to a round except it is elliptical. It was invented by Lazare Kaplan in the early 1960s. The Oval brilliant usually has 56 facets. Shape appeal is very important with oval brilliants.An even, perfectly symmetrical design popular among women with small hands or short fingers. Its elongated shape gives a flattering illusion of length to the hand.

The oval cut diamond shape is also a popular choice of diamond engagement ring as its closer to being round and fits all designs. The oval shape gives the finger a more slender graceful appearance, hence it's a popular choice among the women. This shape is a popular choice for a three stone engagement ring. The brilliance is typical of a round diamond but the difference is the exciting shape little away from the ordinary.

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Round cut diamond shape

Diamond is usually round and round shaped diamond is extremely popular too. The Round cut diamond shape is popular as it has the maximum shine and brilliance and would fit in to any design and style of the engagement ring. From a solitaire to a band of diamonds, or three stone ring. The round shape diamond has the maximum number of facets as compared to other shapes hence this is the only shape in diamonds which shines the brightest.

It is also the most brilliant of all the cuts. You may have heard of a term called "ideal cut". This term refers to the attempt to cut a Diamond into the best proportions to achieve maximum brilliance. There are 58 facets in a Round Brilliant Cut including the culet. These 58-facet cut, divided among its crown (top), girdle (widest part) and pavilion (base), is calibrated through a precise formula to achieve the maximum in fire and brilliance.

On the Crown or upper part of the Diamond, these consist of 1 table facet, 8 bezel facets, 8 star facets, and 16 upper girdle facets for a total of 33. On the pavilion, or bottom part of the Diamond, there are 16 lower girdle facets, 8 pavilion main facets and 1 culet.

Rounds are the most expensive cuts, and with good reason. It is usually possible to retain more weight from a Rough (unpolished) Diamond if it is cut into a Fancy shape than if it is cut to a Round. The depth percentage should range between 58 to 63 percent and the table percentage should range between 55 to 64 percent. The most desired percentages are the 60 percent, and perfectionists will look for depth of 59 through 62 percent and table of 56 through 58 percent.

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Diamond Price Guide

Since diamond prices are controlled from their source, they follow reasonably predictable trends. Therefore, although it is sometimes possible for the individual to chart prices, today the Rapaport list is considered the primary source of diamond prices. In reality diamond cutters' depend upon the wholesale prices they pay for rough crystals, their overhead, and other costs.

They are then able to compile a price list of their own at which they sell diamonds of various sizes and qualities. This may be different from a similar price list produced by another cutter. It is sometimes forgotten by retailers that there is no absolutely fixed price for a diamond. Diamond cutters compete with each other just like other merchants when it comes to price and quality.

Method of Estimating Diamond Prices :

If one wants to evaluate or buy a diamond, it is very important to be able to arrive at reasonably accurate price. Anyone who doesn't deal with diamonds regularly, and doesn't have a mental picture of the price structure, can use these three basic rules to reach the correct price for the diamond:

1. Weigh the diamond or make an accurate estimation of the weight by using a gauge.
2. Evaluate the quality of the diamond as explained (By color, clarity, and cut).
3. Refer to the Rapaport list of diamond prices.

There are some diamond merchants who do show the price list to their customers. A current Rapaport list price can obviously be made the basis for estimating the price of the diamond. Actually being experienced and involved in the buying and selling of wholesale diamonds provides the most useful information.

The Rapaport diamond price list compiles prices for reference according to three variables - weight, color, and clarity. Cut is omitted and all diamonds are assumed to be of a good cut. A mental allowance should be made for lower qualities of cut. Having correctly identified the qualities of the diamond, one can find out the price.

Being able to evaluate diamond prices can be confusing and takes time to learn. Even once the 4Cs are established and the diamond price located on the list, more evaluating components are needed.

Using the Rapaport List
4 simple steps are used in extracting diamond prices from the Rapaport list:

• Locate the diamond color grade listed on the left.
• Follow numbers horizontally (you may want to use ruler) until you are underneath the correct diamond clarity grading.
• Multiply the number you have reached on the list by 100 in order to come to the carat price.
• Multiply the result you got in step three by the weight of the diamond thereby coming to the total diamond price according to the list.

Next you need to assess other factors like fluorescence, type of diamond cut, and angles in order to make a correct diamond purchase.