While the round brilliant cut is the world’s most popular diamond shape, emerald cut diamonds are also very common, and the emerald cut is definitely considered one of the classics. Here’s some information on what makes emerald cut diamonds special, as well as what you’ll need to look out for when choosing one.
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Emerald Cut Diamonds – The Basics
The emerald cut is a rectangular cut with long, square or rectangular facets, usually featuring one large facet in the front. The name of the cut comes from the fact that this is the cut that has traditionally been applied to emeralds, and if you know what an emerald looks like, then you have a good idea as to what emerald cut diamonds will look like.
Among diamond cuts, the emerald cut is part of the step cut family. The term “step cut” refers to any diamond shape with a square or rectangular base. Emerald cuts have a length to width ratio that usually falls somewhere between 1.25 to 1.75. In other words, you won’t find any perfectly square emerald cut diamonds.
Emerald cuts also feature cropped corners. This is done in order to reduce the potential for breakage, as diamonds with 90-degree corners are very susceptible to cracking.
Emerald Cut Diamonds – Advantages
One of the most attractive things about the emerald cut is its uniquely beautiful shape. The huge popularity of other cuts, such as the round brilliant, makes the emerald cut stand out that much more. Even compared to other step cuts, such as the Asscher cut, emerald cuts tend to be more elongated and rectangular, rather than short and square in appearance, and their long facets serve to really highlight the clarity of the diamond.
Since the emerald cut is less popular than the round brilliant, emerald cut diamonds can actually be more affordable and therefore a better dollar value than round cut diamonds with otherwise similar properties. While it’s true that the emerald cut can’t be used effectively with the same, common settings that are typically used for round brilliants (and are therefore the most common types of settings out there), if you’re willing to limit yourself to settings that accommodate emerald cuts, you can find a great value with emerald cut diamonds.
Emerald Cut Diamonds – Finding The Best Value
The key variable to look out for with emerald cut diamonds is the diamond’s clarity grade. Diamonds with relatively low clarity will have their flaws exposed with an emerald cut, so you probably won’t want anything lower than a VS2 clarity grade, or else the appearance of the diamond will be compromised.
When it comes to the other grading criteria, emerald cut diamonds are otherwise similar to other cuts in terms of how you can find the best value. For the cut grade, look for something in the area of “Very Good,” while the color grade should probably be between G and I. Finally, a carat weight of 1 or lower will give you the best bang for your buck, as always.
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