3 of the Most Popular Diamond Shapes and Cuts Today

Ah, the splendorous world of diamonds! Through the ages, this premium gem of all gems has captivated mankind. From the functional uses of eons gone by to being one of the most revered forms of adornment, most people dream of having a beautiful piece of diamond jewelery all to themselves. Diamonds today are available in a multitude of shapes and cuts all ready for a wealth of jewelry like necklaces, earrings, rings and more.

Although, a diamond's shape and cut are terms that are often used interchangeably, usually there is a difference. While the shape of a stone is what one chooses as per preference and personal style, the cut is what enhances the play of light within  a diamond and will dictate how brilliant and shiny the stone is. A well cut diamond will reflect light through its beautifully proportioned facets, angles of the pavilion and more; while a badly cut one will do quite the opposite. It also affects the overall quality, price and value of a stone.

Here we look at a few of the most popular cuts and shapes across the world today -

Round Brilliant Cut Diamond – The most popular shape and cut across the world today has to the a brilliant round diamond. From glistening on stud earrings to bracelets and more, round diamonds are the ones that most people start their diamond journeys with. As the name suggests this circular shape is an all time classic and statistics say that this shape is representative of over 70% of the diamonds sold worldwide. Cut usually with a beautiful 57 or 58 facets, a brilliant round diamond reflects light beautifully and is thus 'brilliant' and have a wonderful shine. In 1919 Marcel Tolkowsky did a study and published a work known as the "Diamond Design: A Study of the Reflection and Refraction of Light in Diamond" that listed out the ideal proportions of a round diamond to maximize its brilliance. Since then this precise formula for cutting has been used by diamond manufacturers to create the brilliant round cut gems we see today.

Princess Cut Diamond – Another classic that is commonly seen on engagement rings and wedding bands is the beautiful princess cut diamond. With a number of gorgeous sparkling facets, this square or sometimes slightly rectangular shaped cut was first created in 1980 and works really well with most kinds of rings. Princess cut diamonds have a four sided pyramid shape and are easier to cut from the diamond rough stone which is usually octahedron in shape, usually making it slightly less expensive that a round diamond of the same carat weight. In comparison to all the other cuts, a princess cut diamond is closest to the brilliant round in terms of the amount of brilliance and fire it possesses. Usually a setting for a princess cut diamond will protect the four corners of the stone, that are the areas most vulnerable to chipping.

Asscher Cut Engagement Ring

Asscher Cut Diamond – Asscher cut diamond engagement rings are once again surging in popularity thanks to this shapes gorgeous art deco and vintage feel. Asscher cut diamonds were first produced by the Asscher brothers in Holland in 1902 and then again surged in popularity in the 1920s and then in the early 2000s and they are back again with a bang! Although similar to an emerald cut diamond in a number of ways, the Assher cut diamond also possesses a smaller table and bigger step facets giving it more brilliance. This perfectly symmetrical stone has cropped corners and extremely precise measurements and comes with an ideal length to width ratio. The unique shape and look make it one of the most lovely choices for a striking ring. 

3 Style Tips for Fall / Autumn 2013

Style and Fashion is transient and often comes, goes and comes back again with speeds that mere mortals are always left trying to catch up with! Summer seems to have been fading fast in the blink of an eye and it is almost time to put away the sun dresses, flip flops and summer brights. If runway offerings are what you go by, then it is definitely time to see what the latest Fall / Autumn and even Winter offerings are. 

While some classic pieces like a little black dress or Asscher diamond engagement rings are always chic and timeless, there is a lot you can do, see and update for the fall season ahead. Find pieces and styles that help you transition from seasons in a more seamless manner and enjoy the lush colors, fabrics and layering options that the crisp Autumn weather brings in.

Here are a few style and fashion tips for the beautiful months ahead -

• Fall Colors – Fall and Autumn really speaks of colors that are deep, saturated and vivid jewel tones that are mysterious and some hues that more crisp like navy. Color trends for 2013 indicates shades of teal, coffee or chocolate, burnt orange or rust, burgundy, coral, olive green and the like are going to be extremely big this year. What is also surprising this year is that pastels, usually a more Spring palette, have also made an appearance in Fall collections! Add pastel shades like baby pink, chalky blue and peach in more Fall-esque ways by using it in accessories like scarves, gloves and hats or rose gold options in Asshcer diamond engagement rings and other jewelery. Pastel coats are also a trend to watch out for and a nice way to bring in some muted yet pretty color.

• It is all about the layering – Fall is a great transitional season from the super hot summer temps to the frigid cold winter ones. Layering clothing is one of the best ways to handle the in between weather when you want to stay comfortable and still not swaddle yourself in giant coats and jackets. Luxe sweat shirts with small flourishes, funky fur vests, long sleeved dresses with cashmere tights, cardigans with military touches, moto jackets in leather and non leather and capes are once again super in for the Fall of 2013.

• Fall looks as far as makeup goes was pretty fun and bold all over the runways. While literal translations might be a little too wacky for real life, there are a few take a ways that you can tweak as per your preference. Smoky eyes are still popular but in more muted shades like brown, bronze, orange and raspberry sometimes even mixed with black, as are statement eyes like modified cat eyes and surprisingly fun, statement nails. If you love a red lip, take heart, it is still super big along with wine and cinnamon shades.

How to buy the perfect Asscher diamond engagement rings

When you go out shopping for diamond rings, it is unlikely for you to pay attention to all aspects of a diamond. However, if you want a perfect diamond ring for your engagement, you must ensure that you have complete and detailed information about these gleaming rocks. The Asscher cut is a particular cut of diamond that consumers are not very familiar with. There is a lot of confusion concerning the Asscher cut of diamonds. This level of confusion is heightened because of the availability of two types of Asscher cuts – the Standard Asscher cut and the Royal Asscher cut. It is important to be careful when making choices when it comes to Asscher diamond engagement rings in terms of its colour, clarity and cut quality.

1.  Colour:

Being cautious is the first step when examining the colour of an Asscher cut or Emerald cut. You can drop your guard when choosing diamonds with a Round Brilliant Cut or a Princess Cut. The latter cuts help in disguising a diamond’s rough material. When it comes to the Asscher cut, the scenario is totally opposite. These cuts lack radiance and therefore, the roughness cannot be masked easily. When buying the Asscher diamond engagement rings, always opt for a lower H colour. The most important thing to remember when buying diamond engagement rings is to ensure that there should be a similarity in the tones of the centre diamond and the side stones.

2.  Clarity:

The clarity is the most important factor that separates an Asscher or Emerald cut from other shapes of diamonds. The other cuts are also known as the ‘Brilliant’ stones. This is simply because of the fact that they are placed that allow light to enter and exit in a variety of ways. This is the reason diamonds appear luminous and thus, attractive to the human eye. It not only provides a shiny surface but it is also a way to conceal the impurities that are prevalent in a diamond. The Asscher cut, on the other hand, is a step cut wherein a sparkle or brilliance is absent. When buying Asscher diamond engagement rings, it is best to stick to a VS2 Clarity or higher.  

3.  Cut quality:

Round cuts are easier to buy. There is less complication and there are few factors to pay attention to. The situation is exactly the opposite when it comes to an Asscher cut. There are no definite rules that decide the quality of an Asscher or an Emerald cut. Sometimes, this can be a daunting task. However, experts suggest that a Total Depth between 60% and 68% is ideal when buying Asscher diamond rings. When it comes to the Asscher cut, the lower this percentage, the better it is. Unlike other cuts, the depth of the Asscher or emerald cuts have absolutely no impact on the brilliance. It is, therefore advisable to not go beyond 68%.

Remember these easy tips to ensure that you buy the best engagement rings for your special day.