Cushion Cut Diamond Wedding Ring

DIAMOND CUTS FOR WEDDING RINGS

A good cut is essential to a diamond's beauty. The brilliance and fire desired in a diamond is determined more by the "cut", than it's color or clarity. A diamond with outstanding color and clarity will not sparkle as it should if the stone is not cut to interact properly with light. When choosing a diamond for your wedding or engagement ring, consider the quality of the cut as well as the color and clarity of the gemstone.

Although a common misconception, the term diamond "cut" does not refer to it's shape. While a diamond is cut into a shape, the diamond "cut" is the diamond's proportions, such as its depth and width and the uniformity of its facets. Many gemologists consider the cut of the diamond to be the most important characteristic, because a diamond with a poor cut will appear dull even if it has perfect color and clarity.

When light enters a diamond, it travels within the stone, then exits. The width and depth of the cut will affect how the light travels and how it exits in the form of brilliance. If the cut is too shallow, the light is lost out the bottom causing the diamond to lose brilliance. If the cut is too deep, light escapes out the sides causing the diamond to appear dull and dark.

POLISH AND SYMMETRY

Two important aspects of the cutting process that affect the sparkle of the diamond are the polish and symmetry. The polish grade refers to the smoothness of the diamond's facets. The symmetry grade describes the alignment of the facets. A poor polish will cause the surface of the facet to appear dulled which can blur and dull the sparkle of the diamond. A poor symmetry causes the light to be misdirected when it enters and exits the gemstone which can affect the brilliance of diamond. A diamond cut to the most exacting proportions with the highest polish will have the most brilliance. A round brilliant diamond cut with outstanding symmetry will show the desired Hearts and Arrows pattern.

TYPES OF DIAMOND CUTS

Diamond cuts are classified into three basic categories (brilliant cuts, step cuts, and mixed cuts), depending on the style and arrangement of their facets. A brilliant cut diamond has numerous facets that are shaped like triangles and kites which radiate outwards and are positioned to achieve optimal brilliance. A step cut diamond, with it's clean lines, is cut with facets that are parallel to the shape of the diamond. With step cutting, more of the rough diamond is kept because less of the diamond is cut away. A mixed cut combines the optical effects of brilliant cuts and the weight preservation and dimensions of step cuts.

ROUND BRILLIANT CUT

The round brilliant cut diamond is a great choice for a wedding ring or engagement ring as the round is the most enduring of all diamond shapes and the brilliant cut offers all the sparkle desired in a diamond. The round shape has been cut for centuries, but the round brilliant cut used today was defined in 1919 with specific angles and ideal proportions to achieve the most brilliant diamond. A round brilliant "ideal" cut diamond will feature outstanding brilliance.

When selecting a diamond for your wedding or engagement ring, look for a well-cut or ideal cut round that will offer the desired diamond brilliance. If you are looking for a perfectly cut diamond, you want to consider a Hearts on Fire diamond, which are cut to unmatched levels of perfection and maximize all the classic elements of a diamond's beauty - brilliance, dispersion and scintillation.

Engagement rings and wedding rings with round stones are worn by many celebrities, including Madonna, Gwen Stefani, Pamela Anderson, Courteney Cox, and Mariska Hargitay.

PRINCESS CUT

The princess cut stone is the modern, classic cut that features clean, square lines with a beautiful sparkle. After the round brilliant cut, the princess cut diamond is the next most preferred cut for wedding rings and engagement rings. A princess cut diamond is a square shape with a brilliant cut. The princess cut is a relatively new cut, developed in the 1970's, and combines the step-cutting of the emerald cut with the triangular facets of the brilliant cut.

A recent celebrity wearing a princess cut diamond ring is Star Jones Reynolds.

ASSCHER CUT

The Asscher cut is an elegant shape that is the forerunner of today's modern emerald cut. The Asscher cut was developed in 1902, but has gained recent exposure because of celebrities wearing the cut. The Asscher cut is usually cut to a square outline with blocked corners, and features a unique look that is due to the "scissor cut" in which all the facets are step-cut on the bottom part of the diamond. The Asscher cut is very popular in Art Deco style jewelry. The Asscher cut is appealing to those looking for something very unique and stunning.

Recent celebrities wearing an engagement ring or wedding ring with an Asscher cut diamond are Kate Hudson and Reese Witherspoon. Sharon Stone also chose to wear an Asscher cut diamond ring for her appearance at the 73rd Academy Awards.

CUSHION CUT

If you're a romantic that appreciates the grace and romance of the past, you'll likely be drawn to the cushion cut. The modern cushion cut is fashioned after the antique cushion cut of the 1800's, and features a combination of round and square outline with a soft "pillow" shape. This cut is currently enjoying a resurgence in popularity, offering a softer look in comparison to many of the sharper, modern cuts.

Several recent celebrities with an engagement or wedding ring featuring a cushion cut stone are Ashley Judd, Leann Rimes, and Britney Spears.