Diamond Cutting - What Are the Steps in Cutting and Polishing a Diamond?

Executive Summary about Diamond Cutting by James Greene

cutting diamond

Many people may not know this but diamonds were not always the brilliant gemstones that they are often seen as today. In fact, prior to the 15th century, diamonds used to be worn in an “as is” condition, which means that they were neither cut nor polished.

For those who wish to know a bit more about the diamond cutting process, the following will describe this procedure in addition to the polishing aspect of this beautiful gemstone.

After the diamonds have been collected and sorted, it is at this time in which they are cut and polished. The first step is to cut the diamond.  The diamond is cut into various facet amounts. Once the diamond has been cut, the gemstone will be polished into a smooth diamond surface.

Some may wonder why it is so important to have a diamond undergo diamond cutting and polishing. The main reason is to produce the final result which is so coveted today, which is a bright and breathtaking gem.

When a diamond has not gone through the diamond cutting and polishing process, it is quite a dull and jagged edged stone which many may not deem as lovely as the final result seen in jewelry cases of jewelry stores everywhere. The diamond cutting and polishing process is done to make the diamond the beautiful gem that it is these days.

How The Diamond Cutting Style Originated

Executive Summary about Diamond Cutting by Mithun Rao

There was a time when cutting and polishing a diamond was considered sacrilege.  With the trade various methods of polishing and cutting the diamond were also shared between the countries.  The diamond cutting of these times was far less sophisticated as compared to the brilliance that we see today.

The journey of the diamond cutting industry, as we know today, starts with the point cut and ends at fancy brilliant cuts.  The point cut was the first cut that we are aware of today and it was the most popular cut in the fifteenth century.   The cut mimicked the rough octahedral shape of the natural diamond and this was accomplished by the use of stationary polishing surfaces covered with diamond grit and olive oil.

In the late 1400’s the table cutting style made its appearance. The top part of the natural octahedral shape was cut using the same tools present earlier ‘a stationary cutting surface with diamond grit and olive oil.  This cut ruled the diamond industry for the next couple of centuries and there were numerous variations like rectangles, tapered shapes and lozenges. This cut was not conceptualized for octahedral diamonds but a cut that aided in producing the largest cut diamonds from flattened roughs.

The rose cut has flat bottoms and triangular facets that become a point towards the top.  Though the cut gives a high level of brilliance, the fire that this cut allows is not too high.

Diamonds from Brazil were used to create the first brilliant cuts and thus was born the old mine cut, a cushion shaped cut with a deep pavilion, high crown and large culet.  Even though the number of facets in the old mine cut are similar to the modern brilliant cut, this first cut did not give as much brilliance since the pavilion was deeper.

The modern brilliant cut came onto the scene after more than 500 years of experimentation.  This cut was the first cut that brought out the true brilliance of the diamond that it is capable of.  The earliest of the modern brilliant cut can be traced back to the 1800’s.

The cutting establishment rejected the cutting style discovered by Henry Morse from Boston earlier, and stuck to the old mine cuts and European cuts.  The contemporary cuts allow for higher levels of artistic flair and the roughs can be cut and polished based on minimum loss due to cutting and polishing.

With the popularization of the brilliant cut, many fancy brilliant cuts started coming into the picture.  It was the success of the round brilliant encouraged cutters to try out other shapes along with the brilliant cut.

Other brilliant cut shapes like rectangle and square brilliants were also produced.

Other post you may be interested in reading: Oval Diamond and Baby Jewelry

Marquise Cut Diamonds – New Release, Selling Crazy!

Executive Summary about Marquise Diamond Ring by John Williams

marquise diamond rings

Marquise cut diamonds are one of the most popular diamonds out of what is considered the fancy shaped diamond group. These diamonds have been cut for a very long time and are one of the oldest and more classy diamond cuts.

Marquise cut diamonds engagement rings are a timeless classic. Since they are very long they give the hand a long and slender look. The recommended length to width ration for a pear shape is 1.75 to 2.10 to one. The modern pear shape is based upon the round brilliant and thus called “modified brilliant Marquise”.

Marquise cut diamonds look great in many types of rings including halo settings with small pave diamonds around them.

Marquise cut diamonds are usually sold as center diamonds for engagement rings and wedding rings. Because of its unique shape it usually demands to be the center of attention.

The price per carat of a Marquise cut diamond is almost always less than the price for a Round Brilliant cut diamond of similar quality.

Marquise cut diamonds can also be used as shoulder stones for a major center stone, or in a cluster around a larger diamond. Due to the shape of the Marquise cut, the color and clarity of the diamond are usually more apparent.

Impress Your Girl With a Beautiful Marquise Cut Diamond

Executive Summary about Marquise Diamond Ring by James Allen

Diamonds are girls’ best friends. This rock from the heart of mother earth has won many hearts and unfailingly generates an affirmative without second chances. So, if you want to woo your spouse for a perfect date, then diamonds are just made for it.

Diamonds come in different cuts. Light takes heavenly modifications when it passes through these diamonds and only her smile can be more appealing.

These stones come in varied shapes. For instance, round, princess, marquise, pear, cushion, radiant, heart, oval, emerald and trillion to name a few. Of all, the marquise cut is the most sought after, for its elegance and stylishness; one needn’t to inherit blue blood to flaunt these gems.

Marquise cut is a majestic, elongated cut which tapers at both ends. When you choose a marquise cut, see to it that the stone is much is much bigger than the width of the ring on which it is set. This is the conventional formula for setting a diamond.

Hold shoulders high, (some prefer the kneeling posture), have a glowing smile. More importantly, find the right finger to slide down the ring (or find the right girl who fits into the ring).

Also, check out my other guide on: Emerald Cut Diamond and Diamond Simulated

Emerald Cut Diamond Engagement Rings
Executive Summary about Emerald Cut Diamond Ring by Mohammad Ashfaq

emerald cut diamond engagement ring

Emerald cut diamond engagement rings are a type of step cut, one where the facets actually look like “steps” carved into the gem. Unlike the Marquise brilliant, there is no bow-tie effect on an emerald cut diamond.

Specifically, the emerald cut diamond takes the rectangular shape with slightly cut corners. Some people are confused with the Emerald Cut, Asscher, or the Princess. Emerald cuts are long rectangles with only slightly cropped corners. Asscher cuts are squares with deeply trimmed corners while Princess cuts are squares without any trimming.

There are several designs of Emerald Cut Engagement Rings. Because of the elongated shape of an emerald cut diamond, they are often matched with accent stones, particularly tapered baguettes and other emerald cuts.

An emerald cut solitaire can be an attractive ring, however, particularly for a woman with thin, long fingers will serve to lengthen the stone even more.

The key to a beautiful emerald cut diamond engagement ring is choosing a quality stone. To completely examine an emerald cut stone, consider viewing loose diamonds rather than finished rings.

In Buying Emerald Cut Engagement Rings, Most jewelers carry a selection of emerald cut rings on hand, and others will custom make or create more designs on demand.

How to Tell If It’s an Emerald Cut Diamond Engagement Ring
Executive Summary about Emerald Cut Diamond Ring by Gary Ingram

The emerald cut belongs to a category known as step cuts. Unsurprisingly it was originally created to cut emeralds and was designed as a way to produce the strongest stone without splitting it. This is because emeralds are vulnerable to breakage as they have many eternal flaws and imperfections.

Available as either a square or a rectangle, emerald cut diamonds use 58 facets which are flat and broad, rising up like steps. The edges are clipped and because of its shape, emerald engagement ring designs are restricted predominantly to claw set styles.

While the emerald diamond cut does not give off as much sparkle and scintillation as many other cuts, it can be equally as devastating because rather than radiating continuous dazzle; its long edges generate sudden flashes of light.

Other post you may be interested in reading: Diamond Wedding Bands and Diamond Settings