Diamond and Gemstone cut shapes

Diamonds and gemstones are rarely used in jewelry in uncut form. Especially for diamonds, the uncut stone lacks brilliance, beauty or any other characteristics we have come to associate with gems that are fit for use in fine jewelry.

Gemstone and Diamond cuts can be facetted or cabochon. Below is information and description of the most popular gemstone and diamond shapes. There are also many fancy and unusual gemstone cuts.

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Cabochon cuts

Cabochon cut - this cut features a founded completely smooth surface rather than facets. This cut works particularly well with opaque gemstones, such as agate, jade, turquoise as well as opaque ruby and similar gems.

Facetted cuts

Asscher - The Asscher cut is named after Asscher Brothers of Holland who developped this cut in 1902. This step cut is similar to an emerald cut, but is square and has deeply cropped corners, which makes it look almost octagonal.

Baguette - The baguette cut is a step cut shaped as an elongated rectangle, with unclipped corners. It is commonly used for smaller stones that surround the main stone in jewelry. A tapered baguette cut has a trapezoid shape, where one of the smaller sides is shorter than the other.

Emerald - The emerald cut is a rectangular step cut with cropped corners. It is known as the emerald cut because it was originally used for emeralds, but is now popular for other gemstones and diamonds. Emerald cut diamonds tend to flash rather than sparkle, creating a rather dramatic effect.

Heart - the heart cut is a modified brilliant cut, usually with 57 facets. This cut combines the sparkle of the brilliant cuts with the shape of the timeless romance symbol, making it the perfect cut for valentines day jewelry.

Marquise - the marquise cut was developed in France in the 18th century as a gift by the French King Louis XV to his mistress - the Marquise de Pompadour. Given this legacy, it is not surprising that this cut is popular in designer and up-scale fine jewelry.

Oval - the oval cut is a modified brilliant cut, perfect to highlight the sparkle of diamonds and transparent gemstones. This cut is highly suitable for earrings and necklaces. It is also perfect to use in rings for women with smaller hands.

Pear - the pear cut is another modified brilliant cut. It's tear shape makes it a perfect shape for diamonds and gemstones in pendants and earrings. Similarly to the oval cut, it can produce good results when used in rings for women with small hands.

Princess - the princess cut is a square or rectangular version of the brilliant cut. It is a recent invention (only about 30 years old) and allows for the combination of the stylish shape of the emerald cut with the sparkle and fire of the brilliant cut. The princess cut produces great results both for diamonds and gemstones.

Radiant - the radiant cut is a hybrid cut - combining the princess and the emerald cuts. Shaped like the emerald cut, it features additional facets for superb sparkle and light refraction. With 70 facets its brilliance rivals even the brilliant cuts, making it a great choice for diamonds and transparent gemstones.

Round - the round brilliant cut is the classical cut for diamonds and is still considered the best to maximise the brilliance and refractive qualities of the diamond. This mathematically-designed cut features 58 facets for optimum light refraction.

Trilliant/Trillion - The trilliant or trillion cut is a triangular shaped cut that can have straight or rounded lines and cornes. The trillion cut is based on the brilliant cuts and produces extraordinary sparkle in diamonds as well as a stylish gemstone shape.

	Cabochon cuts
	Cabochon cut - this cut features a founded completely smooth surface rather than facets. This cut works particularly well with opaque gemstones, such as agate, jade, turquoise as well as opaque ruby and similar gems.

	Facetted cuts
	Asscher - The Asscher cut is named after Asscher Brothers of Holland who developped this cut in 1902. This step cut is similar to an emerald cut, but is square and has deeply cropped corners, which makes it look almost octagonal.
	Baguette - The baguette cut is a step cut shaped as an elongated rectangle, with unclipped corners. It is commonly used for smaller stones that surround the main stone in jewelry. A tapered baguette cut has a trapezoid shape, where one of the smaller sides is shorter than the other.
	Emerald - The emerald cut is a rectangular step cut with cropped corners. It is known as the emerald cut because it was originally used for emeralds, but is now popular for other gemstones and diamonds. Emerald cut diamonds tend to flash rather than sparkle, creating a rather dramatic effect.
	Heart - the heart cut is a modified brilliant cut, usually with 57 facets. This cut combines the sparkle of the brilliant cuts with the shape of the timeless romance symbol, making it the perfect cut for valentines day jewelry.
	Marquise - the marquise cut was developed in France in the 18th century as a gift by the French King Louis XV to his mistress - the Marquise de Pompadour. Given this legacy, it is not surprising that this cut is popular in designer and up-scale fine jewelry.
	Oval - the oval cut is a modified brilliant cut, perfect to highlight the sparkle of diamonds and transparent gemstones. This cut is highly suitable for earrings and necklaces. It is also perfect to use in rings for women with smaller hands.
	Pear - the pear cut is another modified brilliant cut. It's tear shape makes it a perfect shape for diamonds and gemstones in pendants and earrings. Similarly to the oval cut, it can produce good results when used in rings for women with small hands.
	Princess - the princess cut is a square or rectangular version of the brilliant cut. It is a recent invention (only about 30 years old) and allows for the combination of the stylish shape of the emerald cut with the sparkle and fire of the brilliant cut. The princess cut produces great results both for diamonds and gemstones.
	Radiant - the radiant cut is a hybrid cut - combining the princess and the emerald cuts. Shaped like the emerald cut, it features additional facets for superb sparkle and light refraction. With 70 facets its brilliance rivals even the brilliant cuts, making it a great choice for diamonds and transparent gemstones.
	Round - the round brilliant cut is the classical cut for diamonds and is still considered the best to maximise the brilliance and refractive qualities of the diamond. This mathematically-designed cut features 58 facets for optimum light refraction.
	Trilliant/Trillion - The trilliant or trillion cut is a triangular shaped cut that can have straight or rounded lines and cornes. The trillion cut is based on the brilliant cuts and produces extraordinary sparkle in diamonds as well as a stylish gemstone shape.