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Lapidary - Cutting Diamond Shapes
Lapidary is the name given to the art
of cutting, shaping, polishing and creating jewelry from diamonds. The
most appropriate of the
cuts and shapes is selected by the lapidary to enhance their lustre, transparency, refraction and dispersion of light.
The Art of cutting diamonds into different shapes is described in detail via the following
link:
What are the different Diamond Shapes?
What are the
different diamond shapes? The names of the most popular diamond shapes are Asscher, Brilliant, Cushion, Emerald, Heart, Ideal, Marquise, Oval,
Pear, Princess, Radiant, Rose, Round and Trilliant or Trillion Cut
Diamonds what shape are they? What are
the Fancy Cut diamonds? What are Step or Table Diamonds? The
following table is a quick guide to diamond shapes.
Diamonds are Forever...
Shape / Cuts - Styles & Names of Shapes
and Cuts
Round Diamond Shapes - Brilliant, Eight or Single, Old, Swiss, Rose
cuts
Square / Rectangle - Asscher, Emerald, Princess, Radiant & Cushion cuts and
shapes
Oblong Shapes - Oval, Teardrop / Pear Shapes & Princess cuts
Triangular - Trillion (aka Trilliant,
Trielle)
shapes
Fancy Cuts & Shapes
Emerald,
Marquise ( Navette ), Heart, Oval, Pear, Baguette,
Teardrop, Trillion and Princess cuts and shapes Step
Cuts & Shapes
Asscher, Marquise,
Emerald and Oval Shapes
Step Cuts - Square, Oblong or Rectangle Diamond Shapes
Many Square, Oblong
or rectangular diamonds are 'Step cut' or 'Table cut' which the cutting style is often used in Marquise, Emerald and Oval diamond
shapes.
The facets on a 'Step cut' are cut in steps. The crown, pavilion,
and the table are all cut in rectangular facets. These diamonds are
bright, clear and shiny in appearance as its facets usually span the length or width of
the stone, the facets gradually decreasing as they approach the table
producing Square, Oblong or Rectangle diamond shapes.
Fancy Cuts and Shapes
Fancy cut diamonds
and other stones include the Emerald, Marquise, Heart, Oval, Pear and Princess
cuts and shapes.
Fancy
Cuts and Shapes are all ways of cutting a diamond or other stone to maximize the carat weight. A
rough diamond which might only yield a half carat in a Brilliant Cut
might yield another 50% if cut into one of the above shapes. Fancy Cuts
and Shapes
allow the cutter to use the best attributes of a rough diamond and
eliminate inclusions and blemishes.
Popular Diamond Shapes
The most popular
fancy cuts and shapes include:
- Marquise or Navette shapes
- Princess Cut aka Square Brilliant
- Heart Shapes
- Pear Shapes aka teardrop or oval shapes
- Trillion - triangular shapes
Description of the Emerald Cuts - Square Shapes
The description of an Emerald Cut Diamond is: A rectangular or square
shaped cut with truncated corners and stepped facets, typically
parallel to the girdle. The emerald cut diamond reflects less light than
the standard brilliant cuts and needs to be of the highest quality as
any inclusions can be visible.
Description of the Asscher Cuts - Square Shapes
The description of an Asscher Cut Diamond shapes: A forerunner of the emerald
cut requiring a four-pronged setting. It is square, step cut shape with cropped
corners. An almost octagonal outline enhances the brilliance of the
stone.
Description of the Cushion Cuts - Square Shapes
The description of an Cushion Cut Diamond is: A four sided deep square or rectangle
cut with rounded edges and large facets - it has a cushioned shaped
girdle. The cut is usually
multi-faceted to give the highest possible light refraction and is
therefore especially suited for candlelight.
Description of the Princess Cuts - Square / Rectangular / Oval shapes
The description of an Princess Cut Diamond is: A relatively new shape
which is usually square but sometimes oblong. It has a brilliant cut
arrangement of facets instead of a step cut, which is usually found in
square cut diamonds like the Emerald style. The Princess produces a much
more brilliant diamond than a traditional step cut square or oblong and
has some of the sparkle of a Round brilliant cut.
Description of the Brilliant Cuts - Round Shapes
The description of an Brilliant Cut Diamond shapes: The modern round
brilliant diamond consists of 56-58 facets including the culet. Between
the table and the girdle are generally thirty-two facets, and below the
girdle twenty-four. The facets maximize the volume of light that is
reflected from the inside and produce the greatest brilliance. Other
round diamond shapes include the
Eight Cut or Single Cut, Old
Cut, Swiss Cut, Rose Cut.
Description of the Heart Shaped Cuts - Heart Diamond Shapes
The description of an Heart Cut Diamond is: Essentially a pear-shaped
diamond with a cleft at the top containing 59 facets. The shape of the
heart makes this diamond highly desirable for romantic occasions such as
Valentine's Day and anniversaries.
Description of the Oval Cuts - Oval Shapes
The description of an Oval Cut Diamond is: Most oval diamonds are like a
squashed round brilliant - a modification of the round brilliant cut.
Aspect ratio of an Oval cut: The ratio of the length to the width should
be about 1.5:1. Their depth to diameter ratio varies so they can never
be a perfect proportion which results in a loss of some brilliance.
Description of the Marquise Cuts - Oval Shapes
The description of an Marquise Cut Diamond is: The Marquise
shape is like a long oval which has been stretched out to a point at
each end. They are most
often seen as center diamonds for engagement rings and wedding rings to
balance the long, narrow shape. The diamond should be of the highest
quality with regard to its color and clarity.
Description of the Pear Cuts (aka Teardrop shapes) - Half Oval - Half
Marquise Shapes
The description of an Pear Cut Diamond is best described as being one
half oval, and the other half marquise - pear-shaped or teardrop shaped.
The stone is pointed at one end and round at the other. Ideally cut pear
shapes have 58 facets. Aspect ratio of a Pear or teardrop cut: The ratio
of the length to the width should be about 1.5:1.
Diamond Shapes
What
constitutes good cuts and diamond shapes? This is
effected by several different elements which have a
large impact on a diamond's brilliance which include
the Width and Depth of the stone, the Symmetry and
the alignment of a diamond's facets and the polish.
Clarity is a measure of a diamond's blemishes and
inclusions which also effect the brilliance of
diamonds and their sparkle because they interfere
with the passage of light travelling through the
precious stone. The skill of the jeweller will
ensure that diamonds have a suitable cut and shape
to give the most beautiful results in respect of
their lustre, transparency, refraction and
dispersion of light.
Diamonds - Precious - Stone -
Guide - Heart - Color - Facts - Information -Info - Jewelry
Jewellery
- Shapes -
Marquise - Oval - Pear - Heart - Square - Rectangular
Triangular -
Round - Heart - Diamond
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