When it comes to diamonds, size does matter. Or does it? Some stones look bigger simply by the way they are cut. Looking for cuts rather than size can be a great way to get a high-quality diamond without spending a fortune.
If you think about the shape of the stone rather than the carat or the price, you can still get a beautiful gem for a great price. Never mind just going straight for the biggest gem. Instead, let’s take a look at the cuts of the stones and see what the differences are.
Types Of Diamond Cuts That Look The Biggest
Marquise
A marquise cut is a long narrow oval shape with tapered ends. It may also be called a boat cut or navette cut. These cuts of diamonds appear to be bigger simply because of how the stone is elongated.
Diamonds with a marquise cut typically have 58 facets with 33 on the crown and 25 on the pavilion. This makes them appear to be larger because the facets are spread out, giving more texture and surface.
These are often not as expensive as some other more difficult cuts but appear to be larger than some with more karats. As a rind or pendant, they look long and luxurious.
Pear
The pear cut comes in second for seeming larger than it is. You’ll find one end with the marquise cut and the other end rounded. As a rind, the tapered end should always face toward the hand.
Because there are two distinctive shapes, the pear cut appears to have some heft to it. You want to look for a stone that has symmetry and seems to be even. Pear-shaped stones are very popular, so your sweetheart is sure to love what they get!
Pear-shaped stones tend to resemble teardrops or raindrops. The cut also gives the stone height along with width, making it well worth a look, as they are often less expensive than other cuts of the same karat.
Oval
Third on the list is the oval cut. Similar to the marquise cut, the oval cut is thick through the center and tapered at both ends. It doesn’t come to a point, but it isn’t completely round, either.
These cuts allow the diamond to have a lot of texture, giving it a lot of shine and brilliance as it catches the light. The rounded edges are often preferred over squared-off edges, as they don’t chip.
Oval-cut stones are often not as common as other cuts, so you can be guaranteed to have a unique and personal gem that no one else will have. They also cost less than traditional round-cut stones.
Emerald Diamonds
Finally, consider the emerald-cut diamond. There is a simple elegance to the emerald cut that is more subtle than many other cuts.
These are also rare cuts; you know yours will be the only one when you go out. They offer a “table” of sorts that allows more light to hit the same surface. Emerald cuts are not quite square, so they are also less expensive than many other traditional cuts.
Emerald cuts are also called “step cuts,” providing light and brilliance from the top and the sides of your gem. These look beautiful on a ring or pendant.
Get Your Diamonds from Shiva’s Gold and Gems
Whether you’re interested in one of these notable cuts or have something different in mind, the team at Shiva’s Gold and Gems can ensure you get exactly the piece you’ve been dreaming about. Contact Shiva’s Gold and Gems today if you have any questions or if you are interested in buying a new stone or gem!