If you are considering buying a diamond, one of the qualities to examine is the cut.  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.  Generally speaking, there are eleven different traditional cuts and four modern cuts. 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 is by all accounts simply a more modern version of 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. Essentially, the more facets a diamond has, the more brilliant it will be. 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. That's not to say however that shape doesn't influence the beauty of a diamond, because certain shapes such as the pear shape and the heart shape actually result in a diamond losing some of its brilliance. 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. One thing you will notice is that the newer modern cuts generally have a higher price than the traditional cuts. You may want to decide if they are worth the extra money for your purchase.

In addition to the points we have already covered, there are other considerations like whether you want to puchase a premade ring or buy your diamond and its' setting separately. You can usually get a jeweler to change your ring setting for additional money if you are so inclined.