Loose Diamonds And The Most Popular Cuts

Why purchase loose diamonds? They're not necessarily as practical as earrings and necklaces

. You would not be able to wear them, or bring them anywhere you go. But diamonds have a beauty on their own that can't be matched by diamonds set in jewelry. They seem even more extraordinary when they are bought for their own sake.

Diamonds are available in a variety of designs, known in the trade as cuts. The most well-known of these is the round brilliant cut. Simply put, the round brilliant is the most well-known 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 made into a round brilliant. For this reason, diamonds are available 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 are self-explanatory. The pear cut is often interpreted 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 their shapes are the same? This is where we get a bit technical, but fortunately you don't have to dig that deep.

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 emphasize lustre and clarity over brilliance. The Asscher cut has been around for over 100 years, and its proportions are less even.

The princess and radiant cuts come from a third category, known as mixed cuts. They have more brilliance than step cuts, but are more cost-effective than brilliant cuts. The princess cut is the most popular next to the round brilliant, whereas the radiant cut has over 70 cuts.

When picking loose diamonds, you need not be intimidated by technical knowledge. You can buy based on what cut you prefer. The jeweler, in turn, will narrow your choices in terms of price and quality, and help find the best choice for you.

by: Lorraine Jacobs

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