It's important to not apply round brilliant diamond buying tips to emerald cut diamond buying tips.
A Quick Introduction To Step Cuts
A step cut diamond's most notable feature are the eight lines running down the sides. These draw the viewer’s attention to the middle of the stone. The second feature of not are the stepped facets that run along the diamond's length as well as its width. These go in parallel lines, which might remind you of the steps of Meso-American temple pyramid. The diamond facets are for the most part bigger than the ones found in round brilliant and princess cut diamonds. They are arranged in such a way to resemble steps, so the name makes sense. Step cut diamonds are known for an effect called the “hall of mirrors” effect.How Many Different Step Cut Diamonds Are There?
There are three different diamond cuts that can be categorised as belonging to the the step cut family. These are emerald cut, Asscher cut, and the lovely and delicious sounding baguette cut. Asscher cut diamonds and emerald cut diamonds are used in engagement rings more frequently than baguette diamonds. Baguette diamonds work better as accents or as a pave, or eternity ring.Comparing Step Cut Diamond Shapes
Emerald
Emerald cut diamonds have cropped corners and a large table with an elongated pavilion. They are known for their elegant rectangular shape.
Asscher
X marks the spot. Asscher diamonds are known for the distinctive ‘X’ visible in its table, this square diamond shape has cropped corners and almost hypnotic pattern created by the arrangement of the facets at specific angles.Baguette
This thin, rectangular diamond has fewer facets than we find in emerald cut diamonds and Asscher cut diamond. Baguette diamonds are not usually used as a feature stone. They are commonly used as accent stones or in other types of jewelry, like eternity rings and bracelets.What Are The Characteristics of All Step Cut Diamonds?
Stepped cut diamonds have two very specific characteristics. Firstly, step cut diamonds all have a rectangular shape or a square shape. Secondly, the diamond’s facets need to be rectilinear. that is to say they must be made up of straight lines that run parallel to the stone’s girdle.5 Tips: Step Cut Diamond Shopping
Step cut diamonds have their own unique set of guidelines so it's crucial to not think that any and all advice will apply. These 5 tips will help you as you work on finding your ideal step cut diamond. the goal as always is to get the very best step cut diamond that is perfect just for you.1. Higher Clarity and Color Grades
If you don't know what the 4C's are then get yourself up to speed on any diamond jeweler's website.Clarity is one of the most important considerations when shopping for any step cut gem. Emerald cut diamonds in particular. this is due to the fact that step cuts diamonds have a large, open table. They also give the appearance of having less facets than mixed or brilliant cut diamonds. This makes is much easier to spot inclusions. What I am saying is that the flaws in a step cut diamond will be hard to miss in an emerald cut diamond when compared to a round brilliant cut diamond. A high clarity grade is always absolutely worth it.
After a shot while learning about diamonds you will run across the statement that "cut is the most important factor". This is referring to how symmetrical and well proportioned the diamond is. Diamond cut designs are designed to make the diamond perform with the maximum amount of brilliance and sparkle. howe close the cutter gets the diamond to conform to this ideal shape is how a diamond is graded in terms of "cut". Grading laboratories don’t actually assign cut grades to step cut diamonds, as there is too much variation possible. what we have to look for then are the polish grading and the symmetry grading. If together, polish and symmetry, are excellent and you have a top clarity grade clarity you will have a pretty good idea of the diamond's quality and brilliance. So choose step cut diamonds that have Excellent polish, Excellent symmetry and a clarity grade of VVS2 or higher. This combination will give you the most sparkle.
Many diamond jewelers do label their listed step cuts with a “Very Good Cut” or “Good Cut” grade by checking the grade of the diamond's proportions, symmetry, polish. This can help a great deal, though remember that a cut grade assigned to any step cut diamond is only a general guide, and not the opinion given by a diamond grading lab.
2. Step Cuts Are Excellent For Vintage Engagement Rings
If you are looking for a vintage-inspired or antique style of jewelry, step cuts will give you an authentic look.The Asscher diamond was a shape that was designed by a man called Joseph Asscher in 1902, and while it has always been a rare, unusual choice for engagement rings, it soon gained popularity among elite fashion circles; one of the most famous Asscher cut diamonds in the world is insanely large emerald cut diamond known as the Krupp, a staggering 33.19-carat gem purchased for Liz Taylor at the cost of $305,000 in 1968 by her husband Richard Burton.
Emerald cut engagement rings reached the peak of their popularity in the mid-20th century, boosted by being the choice of stars such as Grace Kelly and Elizabeth Taylor (she wore a lot of diamonds). In recent times, the emerald cut diamond has returned into the spotlight. Well known personalities such as Beyonce, Amal Clooney, and Angelina Jolie are some of the well known examples of people that have enjoyed the elegance of the emerald cut.
3. Step Cuts Will Save You Money
In terms of popularity, mixed and brilliant cut diamonds such as round, princess and cushion are continually best sellers. As demand for other diamond shapes increases, their prices will reflect this popularity. In turn, less popular shapes like step cuts hopefully come down in price. When you are shopping for a step cut diamond, compare prices with a round cut.The cost per carat is not necessarily higher as the market fluctuates and the law of supply and demand dictates the price level.
4. Baguette Diamonds Are Used For Accent Stones
Baguette diamonds are a thin, rectangular cut that you will most often see as accent stones in an engagement ring or in fine jewelry. The cut of a baguette diamond is extremely shallow, which means that it doesn’t reflect as much light as other diamond shapes. As explained in the Diamond Cutting 101 post, little-to-no light reflection means little-to-no sparkle. So, a baguette diamond is better used as an accent piece for a brilliant or step cut center diamond, rather than being a center stone by itself. The three-stone engagement ring below features an Asscher center stone with two baguette diamond accents on either side.You can add more sparkle by combining baguette diamonds with a brilliant or mixed cut diamond. Flank a cushion or princess center diamond with baguettes to create stunning contrast.
princess cut diamond with baguette side stones
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