A Cut Above the Rest
When we talk about the cut of loose diamonds we are referring to its length, depth and width. While you will not hear as much talk about a diamond’s cut as you do its carats and clarity, the cut of loose diamonds is really one of the most important characteristics in placing a value on the gemstone. It is, in fact, about one third of the determining factors for the price of loose diamonds.
When you begin your search for loose diamonds you first want to determine the particular shape you prefer. There are ten different types of loose diamond shapes. Loose diamonds come in radiant cut, round cut, emerald cut, heart cut, asscher cut, marquise cut, cushion cut, oval cut, pear cut, and radiant cut.
The most common diamond shape is round. It has more brilliance and dispersion. Other fancier cuts are not as brilliant due to their shape. The princess cut is the most popular of these fancier cuts. There are variations of shape such as trillion, quadrillion, and baguette shape loose diamonds.
The princess cut, emerald cut, quadrillion, baguette and radiant cut diamonds are variations on squares and rectangles. What makes them different from one to the other are the variations of style and the number of facets each has.
Baguette and emerald shape loose diamonds are step cut, which means the designer polishes the facets along the diamond’s surface in parallel rows. This make them look like a series of diamond steps.
The princess cut, radiant cut and quadrillion cut diamonds, in contrast, have many facets, with as much dispersion and brilliance as a brilliant cut round-shaped diamond.
Radiant cut loose diamonds have 70 facets with a rectangular or square cut and a pattern that is brilliant. These are actually a combination of emerald cut and round stone. It was first designed by Henry Grossbard in 1977. The diamond designer allowed diamond connoisseurs to choose a radiant cut in either square or rectangular shape.
The Trillion diamond is triangular, brilliant and with 50 facets. A similar diamond, with a little lower quality, is the trilliant.
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