Why get loose diamonds? They're not quite as practical as earrings and necklaces. You would not be able to have them on you or display them anywhere you go. But diamonds have a beauty on their own that can't be revealed by diamonds set in jewelry. They seem even more exceptional when they are bought for their own sake.
Diamonds are available in a variety of designs, known in the trade as cuts. The most famous of these is the round brilliant cut. Simply put, the round brilliant is the most famous because it provides the most brilliance. The way it has been cut makes it reflects the most light. What most people don't know is that the shape of the round brilliant is the most wasteful. As much as half of the original diamond is left out when it is turned into a round brilliant. For this reason, diamonds are produced in several other shapes as well, commonly known as fancy cuts.
Now some of the fancy cuts are already based on familiar shapes, and will appeal to people even if they aren't that familiar with diamonds. The heart and oval cuts describe themselves. The pear cut is often viewed as an upside down teardrop.
On the other hand, how do you explain to people the differences between the Asscher and emerald cut, or the princess and radiant cut, when they all share the same rectangular shape? This is where we get a bit technical, but fortunately you don't have to get that esoteric.
Emerald and Asscher cuts are both step cuts. In contrast to the round brilliant, they are rectangular in shape, with each side bordered with small steps. Step cuts accentuate lustre and clarity over brilliance. The Asscher cut has been popular for over 100 years, and its proportions are less even.
The princess and radiant cuts comprise a third category, known as mixed cuts. They have more brilliance than step cuts, but are more cost-efficient than brilliant cuts. The princess cut is the most popular next to the round brilliant, whereas the radiant cut has over 70 cuts.
When choosing loose diamonds, you need not be intimidated by technical knowledge. You can buy based on what cut you like. The jeweler, in turn, will narrow your choices in terms of price and quality, and help find the best choice for you.
Diamonds are produced in a variety of designs, known in the trade as cuts. The way the round brilliant cut has been cut makes it reflects the most light. Step cuts accentuate lustre and clarity over brilliance. Mixed cuts evoke the brilliance of brilliant cuts, but are more practical to produce. When selecting loose diamonds, you need not be intimidated by technical knowledge. You can buy based on what cut you like.
-Lorraine Jacobs
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