The plus side to a heart of stone, our part II guide to diamond cuts reveals all

Our last blog post introduced you to five of the most popular stone cuts that are used in diamond engagement rings today.   There are many factors to consider when looking for the perfect diamond for your design – the cut determines its proportions and ability to reflect light.  Read our guide to diamond cuts to discover the characteristics and history of the remaining five shapes hopefully giving you an insight to which might be ‘the one’ for you…

Oval Cut

Oval Cut

Longer in shape but with similar sparkle to Round Cut,  the Oval Cut is considered slightly ‘softer’ in its look creating an elegant finish to any ring design.  An Oval Cut diamond can seem larger than round stones of the same carat weight due to its drawn out symmetrical appearance and large surface area.
*  Perhaps the most famous Oval Cut stone rests on the hand of Kate Middleton.  Once belonging to the late Princess Diana,  the instantly recognizable blue Oval Cut Sapphire halo ring was presented to Kate by Prince William upon their engagement in 2010.

Marquise Cut

Marquise Cut

The distinctive almond-shaped Marquise Cut diamond has the largest surface area of all the cuts making the diamond appear larger than it actually is regardless of carat size.  Sometimes referred to as ‘navette’ diamond (meaning ‘little ship’ in French – due to its boat-like shape),  Marquise Cut stones hold an old world elegance which works superbly well in a vintage design engagement ring.
*  To mark his love for his mistress Jean Antoinette Poisson – the Marchioness Madame de Pompadour – King Louis XV commissioned a diamond resembling the shape of her lips. Hailing back to 18^th century France,  this famous stone cut became known as the Marquise.

Asscher Cut

Asscher Cut

Dating back to the turn of the 20^th century,  the Asscher Cut was first introduced by Dutch diamond cutter (or ‘cleaver’ as it was known at the time) Joseph Asscher.  With similar qualities to an Emerald Cut, the Asscher Cut is always square and with larger stepped facets that produce a brilliance unlike any other shape of diamond.  With a surge in popularity in the 1920s Asscher Cut diamonds are linked with art-deco and vintage style jewellery.
*  One of the world’s most famous diamonds,  the ‘Krupp Diamond’, was a 33.14 carat Asscher Cut which belonged to Elizabeth Taylor.  The diamond was gifted to her by Richard Burton in 1968 costing $307,000 and subsequently set in her engagement ring.  Upon her death, the stone was renamed the ‘Elizabeth Taylor Diamond’ and was sold at auction in 2011 for $8.8m.

Radiant Cut

Radiant Cut

Generally square or rectangular,  Radiant Cut diamonds are known for their exceptional sparkle making them a superb choice for engagement rings.  Having only been around for about 40 years, this cut of diamond is relatively new on the scene.  With its straight sides and beveled corners, Radiant Cut diamonds offer a little more modern feel than similar shaped Princess and Cushion Cuts.
*  Inventor of the Radiant Cut,  Henry Grossbard,  came to America as a 16 year old having been freed from a Nazi camp in occupied France,  1941.  Being introduced to the diamond business by family members in the US,  Henry devoted his life to learning his craft and worked well into his 70s in the industry.

Heart Cut

Heart Cut

The uniqueness of Heart Cut diamonds is achieved by labour intensive techniques and comprehensive cutting skills making it an extravagant stone of choice.  With references present in 17^th Century paintings,  literature and Royal history;  Heart Cut diamonds have long been considered the discernable token of eternal love and romance.
*  Once gifted by Royalty as a sign of friendship,  Queen Elizabeth received a ring set with a heart shaped diamond from Mary Queen of Scots in 1562 making it one of the most famous diamonds in history.