The term used to describe the gemological form
of a diamond after it has been cut and polished.
Below are examples of
different diamond shapes:
Asscher: A square
emerald cut, usually with 74 facets. The original Asscher cut was designed to
improve the brilliance of the emerald cut and has a small table, high crown and
steep pavilion for added brightness and sparkle.
Baguette:Named for the
French baguette – a thin loaf of bread – this cut has four, step-cut facets that
form a long, narrow rectangle.
Cushion: A square cut
with rounded corners. The style of the cut looks like a combination of an
old-mine cut (a square cut with a smaller table, larger culet and steeper crown,
common in the late 1800s and the early 1900s) and a modern oval cut.
Emerald: A rectangular
or square cut with 50 step-like facets plus the table. This facet arrangement
reduces the brilliance of the diamond for a more reflective effect.
Heart: A diamond shaped
like a heart. This modified brilliant cut has as many as 64 facets plus the
table. The number of facets may vary depending on the overall proportions of the
stone.
Marquise: A boat-shaped
diamond that is long, thin and wider in the middle. A modified brilliant cut, it
has as many as 64 facets and the table is pointed at both ends. The number of
facets may vary depending on the overall proportions of the stone.
Oval: An elongated round
diamond.
Pear: Rounded at one end
and tapered at the other, just like a teardrop, the pear combines the brilliance
of a round diamond with the elegance of a marquise shape.
Princess: A
multi-faceted modified brilliant cut slightly rectangular to square in shape
with corners at 90-degree angles.
Radiant: A rectangular
or square diamond that combines different cuts to increase its sparkle. The
crown is comprised of a step cut and scissor cut, while the pavilion uses a
brilliant cut.
Round: The most popular
shape for diamonds. A well-cut brilliant round diamond should have a total of 58
facets as well as be symmetrical and exhibit a high degree of
brilliance.
Tapered Baguette:
Similar to a baguette, the two longest sides of this rectangular step cut taper
inward.
Trillion: Typically
used as a side stone, this brilliant cut is shaped like a triangle and has 50
facets.
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