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Diamonds have been used for centuries as a symbol of love, longevity, and commitment to another person. While these flawless stones are the standard for modern engagement rings, it is not as simple as picking out any diamond ring for your proposal. In fact, some say that choosing the right diamond is the most difficult part of the proposal process (except for waiting to hear the “Yes!”)
You can’t go wrong with these classic cuts for engagement rings that are minimalist, ornate, or somewhere in between. If you want to find the right diamond for your engagement piece, first it’s important to learn about the different cuts and styles of diamonds available. You can’t go wrong with these classic cuts for engagement rings that are minimalist, ornate, or somewhere in between.
Choosing the right diamond cut for your engagement ring will show how much care and thought you put into this monumental decision, as well as how well you know your partner’s tastes. Read on to discover the five most popular diamond cuts so that you can choose the perfect engagement ring.
Why Your Diamond Cut Matters
Diamonds have complex anatomy, but the two primary functions are the crown (the top part that sparkles) and the pavilion (the bottom layer that reflects the light). The relationship between these two parts is what makes each diamond cut unique.
The two primary functions are the crown (the top part that sparkles) and the pavilion (the bottom layer that reflects the light).Not all cuts are created equal, however. Some provide exceptional brilliance and sparkle, while others can work against each other and lessen the signature sparkle that makes a diamond special. Some cuts are designed for accents, while others are made to steal the show.
Diamond cut is the single most important of the 4Cs when it comes to the physical beauty of a diamond because a diamond’s cut determines how much it sparkles. The goal of diamond cut should always be optimal light return.
Achieving an Ideal cut involves both art and science, and neither should be sacrificed. When a diamond is cut to the proper proportions and symmetry, it will return light out of its top. If a diamond cut is too deep, the light will leak out the side, and if a diamond cut is too shallow, the light will escape out the bottom.
Choosing the right diamond cut for your engagement ring demonstrates how much you care about the details for this symbolic jewelry. Engagement ring styles come and go. With wedding trends having more unique themes, we thought it was important to draw attention to stone styles that range from trendy to classic.
Not all cuts are created equal, however. Some provide exceptional brilliance and sparkle, while others can work against each other and lessen the signature sparkle that makes a diamond special. Most Popular Diamond Cuts
Below are some of the most popular diamond cuts for engagement jewelry. You can’t go wrong with any of these classic styles:
Round cut
Round engagement rings are the most popular in the world, accounting for approximately 75% of diamond jewelry sales. This cut has been popular since the mid-17th-century and has stuck because of its simplicity and elegance. A round cut stone is ideal for delicate jewelry pieces that will sparkle for decades.
Round Cut Diamonds are the most popular cut. They are revered for their classic shape and incredible sparkle. Marketing survey shows 70% of customers choose a round cut diamond.Princess cut
The Princess diamond engagement rings is likely the second-most popular cut for diamonds because of its striking square shape that illuminates from within. It generally has 76 facets (sides), giving impressive amount of brilliance and fire as the round brilliant. Though the princess cut appears square from a top view, it is rounded at the top to allow light to refract and sparkle.
As the most popular fancy diamond shape, the princess cut brings a modern, edgy look to diamond jewelry.
As the most popular fancy diamond shape, the princess cut brings a modern, edgy look to diamond jewelry.Radiant Cut
The radiant cut diamond stone combines the stylish lines of a emerald cut with the brilliance of the traditional round brilliant cut. This innovative cross between those two more well-known diamond cuts makes it a popular choice for a dazzling engagement ring.
The radiant cut features an unique combination of 70 facets and cropped corners, making it one of the most brilliant diamond shapes available today. It is also known to be very durable due to their cut corners. In comparison to other diamond shapes, the radiant shape is less prone to chipping or catching.
The sloped edges increase the amount of light reflected and make for terrific statement pieces. Radiant cuts are rarely surrounded by other stones — instead, they serve as the star of the show and are guaranteed to impress your partner.
If you are looking for a resilient diamond that sparkles brilliantly and features a modern, high-end look, the radiant-cut is the diamond stone choice for you.
The radiant cut diamond stone combines the stylish lines of a emerald cut with the brilliance of the traditional round brilliant cut.Emerald cut
At a glance, the emerald cut looks very similar to the radiant cut diamond. Emerald Cut diamonds are classified as being a step cut, meaning the facets are arranged in a parallel fashion. Meanwhile, the radiant cut takes on the vivid fire and brilliance of a round brilliant diamond but in a square or rectangle shape with cut corners.
Similar to the radiant cut, the emerald cut is typically used as singular stones because of the simple yet stunning stacked rectangular patterns seen from the front. The concentric alignment of its 58 facets creates the sparkling “hall of mirrors” effect the emerald diamond is prized for.
It offers a more subtle sparkle than other cut diamonds as it puts more emphasis on the clarity of the diamond, making the Emerald cut engagement rings dazzling from near and far away. Emerald cut diamonds are rare and harder to find as only 3% of the world’s diamonds are emerald shaped.
While the emerald stones don’t sparkle as much as the radiant cut, they are dazzling from near and far away. This is also one of the oldest diamond styles dating back to the 1500’s and you’ll definitely stand out from the crowd with this diamond. An emerald cut diamond evokes elegance, strength and modern traditions. Rare, dramatic and distinctive, an emerald cut engagement ring is for a woman with confidence.
An emerald cut diamond evokes elegance, strength and modern traditions. Rare, dramatic and distinctive, an emerald cut engagement ring is for a woman with confidence.Cushion cut
Cushion-cut is the 3rd most popular for engagement rings. Regarded as a classic, this old favorite never goes out of style. Cushion-cut diamonds have a timeless and classic appeal, with soft, rounded edges that no other shape can rival.
The cushion cut has rounded corners and larger facets. It has more fire (rainbow-colored flashes of light) than any other cut. If you love those colored flashes of light coming from a diamond, you’ll cherish a cushion-cut diamond engagement ring.
Cushion cut diamonds can also have a vintage feel when paired with the right details. Because of its large facets, cushion-cut diamonds are also an extraordinary value. They are one of the more least expensive cuts, sometimes well over 25% less than a round. The cut is relatively deep, which makes the diamond look smaller than most shapes, so you may want to opt for a larger carat weight.
Cushion-cut is the 3rd most popular for engagement rings. Regarded as a classic, this old favorite never goes out of style.To sum it up, choosing the right diamond has many factors to consider — brilliance, style, history, clarity. The perfect engagement ring with the right stone cut will matter most to the recipient, so be sure to choose the right one for her. To learn more about your diamond options, browse ProposalJewelry.com for more recommendations.