Your Guide to Emerald Cut Diamonds

When it comes to engagement rings, one of the most crucial elements to pay attention to is the cut of the diamond. While the style and size of the gem are also vital, the cut will ensure that the result is both stunning and brilliant. Simply put, a high-quality cut can make or break the appearance of any diamond, regardless of the size. While most diamonds these days are round or square, one of the oldest and most traditional options is making a comeback – the emerald cut.
Today we want to dive in deep and explore this vibrant option and whether it’s right for you (or your fiancée). While a diamond is always an elegant choice no matter what, the right cut can elevate the gem to even greater heights.

Emerald Cut Diamonds

Emerald Cut Diamonds

What is an Emerald Cut?

The shape and design of this diamond are unique because it offers a broader appearance. Emerald cut diamonds are rectangular, with either a long, thin shape or something a bit wider in the middle. Although the emerald cut is not as brilliant or flashy as other options, the reason why it’s been catching on recently is that it offers a stunning, yet muted display. Not only that, but the size of an emerald cut diamond is impressive. Since you need more material to make the necessary cuts, these gems are much larger than more popular offerings like the princess cut or brilliant round cut. The standard shape of this cut is with 58 facets. These are steps along the sides and edges of the diamond, giving it a unique tiered appearance that adds a timeless quality to the gemstone.

Variations of the emerald cut have always existed, with one of the more recent being the Prince Cut, which has more elongated sides, curved corners, and several more facets. No matter which type of emerald-cut you may decide on, this diamond shape is both stunning and modest. These qualities are part of what makes it such a desirable cut for both royalty and celebrities alike.

The History of the Emerald Cut

As you can imagine, the origin of this shape was not based on diamonds at all. Emeralds are a relatively soft gemstone, which means that they are much more susceptible to fracturing and breaking, especially when cut in smaller pieces. The emerald cut was created back in the early 1500s as a way of adding strength and durability to the gem so that it would stay in place longer without breaking. For hundreds of years, this cut was almost exclusive to the emerald. It wasn’t until the early 20th century when jewelers decided that the emerald cut would be excellent for diamonds.

Around the 1930s is when diamond engagement rings started to become popular, so people were looking for inspiration from all sources. Initially, the precise shape and details of the emerald cut were based on the jeweler making them. On top of that, some people came up with different names for the cut, even if it was identical to other emerald cut gems. It wasn’t until about 1940 when the current standard was introduced. Since then, even though there have been some minor alterations to the core design, emerald cut diamonds are all roughly identical.

Why Emerald Cut Diamonds are So Appealing

As we mentioned, more popular cuts include the princess or round brilliant cut. When you look at the vast majority of diamonds, whether they’re on engagement rings or other jewelry, they are cut in these styles. Part of the reason for the ubiquity of these cuts is that they work well for smaller pieces. Thus, part of the appeal of emerald cut diamonds is that they are relatively rare in the industry. Roughly only three percent of all engagement rings in the world have an emerald cut, meaning that if you buy one of these exquisite pieces, you’ll belong to an exclusive club. To put things into perspective, rapper Jay-Z proposed to his wife Beyonce with a gorgeous emerald cut diamond engagement ring.

When most people look at emerald cut diamonds, they remiss the fact that they are not as shimmery or shiny as other options out there. However, because of the stepped and faceted design, these gems sparkle in a more subdued, yet illustrious way. It’s the perfect accent when you want to draw attention, just not too much to make it seem like you’re flaunting it. The other reason we like these diamonds so much is that they are typically larger, meaning that they have more of a commanding presence. Smaller diamonds can get lost in the crowd – an emerald cut diamond will stand out like a glorious beacon.

Contact Mark’s Diamonds Today

If you’re interested in buying an emerald cut diamond for your fiancée or significant other, Mark has chosen a handful of the best emerald cut diamonds from our vast inventory of diamonds around the world. Shop our complete diamond inventory online at MarksDiamonds.com or shop in-store at our Cherry Creek North location–book your appointment with Mark today!