One of the less talked described qualities of a diamond is the cut. However, this quality really needs attention.  Many people confuse the shape with the cut.  Though they are related, they are very different.  Cuts are the proportion of a diamond.  However, the desired proportion will change depending on the shape.

So Many Shapes

Often besides the size, the first thing a person notices in a diamond is it’s shape.Depending on who you ask, there are up to 11 different traditional cuts. In addition there are 4 modern variants. Essentially, most cuts are classified as being either round, heart, or square, with each capable are having a number of variations. In other words, round cut diamonds could in fact be oval or pear shaped rather than perfectly round. Furthermore, the more modern style of round cut diamond has a slightly flatter head than the traditional round cut and is known as the Leo cut. Additionally, the Elexese style boasts 60/60 facet proportions while the Ashoka style on the other hand is a specialty cut by William Goldberg. This style modernizes the traditional cushion cut diamond. Just as with the cushion cut diamond, the Ashoka style also has a rectangular shape although the edges are rounded.

The Number of Facets Equals Sparkle

When one considers that the brilliance of a diamond depends largely on the facets, then it’s fair to say that you should pay particular attention to the facets of a diamond when you’re choosing one. Diamonds with a larger number of facets generally are more brilliant than diamonds with less facets. As a result, the finest quality diamonds will have approximately 58 facets while the Leo style has as many as 66, hence the extreme brilliance of this style, and also the higher price tag.

Favorite Diamond Shapes

Undoubtedly, Princess diamonds and round diamonds are by far the most popular choice with regards to couples getting married, and while many women simply cannot resist the beauty of a Princess cut diamond, round cut diamonds are just as elegant in their own way. The Marquise style on the other hand was originally commissioned by King Louis the fourteenth of France, and it is said that inspiration came from the smile of Marquise de Pompadour. Though we don’t know if this really happened, it is rare to find this oblong shape in a solitaire ring. However, one does sometimes see rings with this style of stone together with smaller cut diamonds.

What You Need To Know About Diamonds

Apart from a handful of people, the rest of us are certainly not experts when it comes to grading diamonds and on top of that, couples shopping for an engagement ring already have plenty on their minds, over and above choosing a ring. That said, you still would be wise to know the basics as buying a diamond is a a large investment.

Cut Affects Value

The bottom line is; the cut of a diamond determines the brilliance and as such, this is something you should pay attention to rather than focusing entirely on the shape. Of course, the shape does change the number of facets. Having fewer facets will in turn will affect the diamonds brilliance. A common examples are the heart and pear shapes as they don't have the suface area for the same number of facets. In fact, certain shapes will even result in flaws and imperfections being more noticeable.

Furthermore, clarity and quality go hand in hand when it comes to diamonds and for this reason, you should pay particular attention to the clarity of the stone before you purchase it. You should also bear in mind that the cut is more important than the carat of a diamond which is why certain styles such as oval and emerald are presented in such a way so that the stone appears to be bigger than what it really is.

Traditional Cuts Cost Less

Undeniably, the price of a diamond is for many people one of the most important factors, so bear in mind that the more unique the styling is, and the more facets there are, the higher the price tag will be. In most cases you'll find that the more modern cuts tend to cost more than the traditional cuts so of course this is something else you may want to take into consideration when you purchase a diamond ring.

Over and above what's already been mentioned, there are certain other factors which you may or may not want to take into consideration, such as whether or not you want to purchase your bring and your diamond separately. Nowadays, most jewelers will agree to change the setting of a stone although you usually have to pay for the service.

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