Everything You Need to Know About the Emerald Cut Diamond
05/01/2020
By Industry Expert Katie Hamian
All diamond shapes considered, The Emerald cut diamond embodies elegance. The clean lines and delicate angles make for an exceptional center piece of an engagement ring. Grace Kelly, Beyonce, and Angelina Jolie, have worn some of the most famous emerald cut engagement rings of all time.
Emerald Cut Diamonds Creates an Exceptional Sparkle
Unlike brilliant cut shapes, an emerald cut diamond features step cuts. A step cut can be described as a diamond cut that features a square or rectangular shape, where the facets are arranged parallel to one another. The cut derives its name from the way in which the facets are arranged; they appear larger than a brilliant cut diamond and look like steps. The emerald cut’s long, rectangular facets create a sparkle known as the “hall of mirrors” effect. This effect emits sparkle and brilliance in a more subdued fashion.
Understanding the Color and Clarity of an Emerald Cut Diamond
If you’re considering getting an emerald cut diamond ring, it’s important to know that emerald cut diamonds possess longer and wider step cut facets, they also tend to expose the slightest of imperfections. Due to lesser brilliance and scintillation, flaws can be seen by the naked eye. Inclusions in an emerald cut diamond are more visible compared to brilliant cuts. That being said, it is best to select an emerald cut diamond with a higher clarity. Anything below a VS2 clarity will risk eye visible inclusions. In addition, an emerald cut diamond is more likely to hold color than brilliant cut diamonds. For example, an I color round brilliant may “face up” whiter than an I color emerald cut diamond. This means that while they have the same color grade, the different faceting structures can make the round brilliant cut actually appear slightly whiter.
A standard emerald cut diamond typically consists of 57 facets and features an elongated rectangular shape with cropped corners. The depth and table of a diamond have a huge impact on its appearance and value. The depth of the emerald shape is calculated by dividing the depth by the width of the diamond. The table of the emerald shape diamond is calculated by dividing the width of the table facet by the width of the diamond. Ideal percentages vary by shape and personal preference. For an emerald cut diamond, the ideal table is 61%-69% and the ideal depth is 60%-67%.
Ratio
The length to width ratio of a diamond is calculated by dividing the length of the diamond by its width. An ideal ratio for an emerald cut diamond is 1.30 – 1.60.
Specialty Emerald Cuts
The Crisscut® Emerald cut diamond is a specialty emerald cut. It has an elongated shape that emphasizes clarity. While most emerald cut diamonds sparkle less than other diamond cuts, this is not the case for the stunning Crisscut Emerald. The patented Crisscut Original Emerald outshines the average emerald cut diamond by allowing more light to shine through and bounce off the faceting. The expertly designed crisscross facets allow natural inclusions to be disguised more so than a classic step cut.
Last But Not Least, The Ring
Emerald cut engagement rings have been increasing in popularity the last few years. Considering the sophisticated and modern nature of an emerald cut diamond, a classic style ring would be the perfect complement. From a simple gold shank, to a beautiful halo, you can’t go wrong!
Emerald Cut Solitaire Engagement Ring
Emerald Cut 3 Stone Engagement Ring