What is a cut and how does it affect the value of a gemstone?
Cutting is the transformation of a rough crystal into a gem with a specific shape that brings out the best characteristics of the stone — its brilliance and its color. A perfect cut is not only about a beautiful shape of the gem, but also suggest a perfectly formed facets which allow the maximum amount of light to interact within the stone.
The following article will tell you about the types of the faceted cuts and how they affect the value of your gemstone, and will help you figure out which cut is right for you.
How the cut affects the price of a gemstone
The right cut maximizes the natural beauty, color, and brilliance of a mineral. Some cutters try to save the weight of the stone, and as a result, they often end up with a dull stone. In this case the cut decreases the value of the stone, so when choosing a cut, you should pay attention not only to the beauty and symmetry, but also to the color and luster.
Types of a gemstone cuts
- Round
The round brilliant cut is one of the most popular because it allows the stone to sparkle in a most possible intensive way. It is a prism with ideal proportions, shape, and number of facets. When light enters this type of stone, it bounces, reflects and returns completely, creating a unique play of light. It is a universal cut suitable for any type of jewelry.
- Oval
The oval cut is used for the large crystals in order to emphasize their size and beauty. The oval cut is ideal for rings, as it visually extends the length of the finger and makes it look thinner and more elegant. Stones of this kind of cutting look fantastic also in earrings and pendants.
- Pear
The Pear shape is a unique step cut that combines the design of the round cut and the marquise shape, resulting in a style with one point from the one side and a semicircle on the other. Stones with this type of cutting style resemble raindrops in sunny weather. This cut looks beautiful in earrings, pendants, necklaces or rings.
- Princess
Like the round cut, the «Princess» cut is famous for its generous play of light in the stone, but it has a rectangular (less frequently square) shape. "Princess" is just as luminous as the round cut, which is why it is popular among engagement rings. Stones with lots of sparkling facets look great in single stone rings, earrings and pendants.
- Emerald
The emerald cut protects the crystal from mechanical stresses and enhances the beauty of the stone. It has rectangular shape with step cut corners and sides and a large table. This kind of cutting style works for the large-size gemstones of excellent clarity, as it is impossible to hide the defects of the mineral behind the set of facets. This cut is used in almost all kinds of jewelry: earrings, bracelets, necklaces and pendants.
- Asscher
The asscher cut looks similar to an emerald, because its straight, stepped facets allow us to see inside the stone. However, the asscher cut is a more square version of this popular cut, not as elongated as the emerald cut. The number of facets varies depending on the weight of the stone. In terms of jewelry design, this cut is characteristic of Art Deco jewelry.
- Radiant
This cut is a hybrid of the old French square cut and the Emerald cut. A stone of this cutting style has the form of an octagon - a square or rectangle with cut corners. This cut is used for stones that have lots of things to show: rich color, clarity and transparency, the play of light and sufficiently large size.
- Heart
The advantage of the Heart cut is its ability to hide most of the natural flaws of the stone. The stunning brilliance of this cut and the special shape make it very popular among engagement rings. The heart shape is also good for pendants and is sometimes used in earrings. When choosing a heart-cut stone, it is important to pay attention to its symmetry: both shoulders of the heart should be identical.
- Trillion
A cut in the form of an equilateral triangle with sharp or rounded edges. The Trillion facet stone has a very bright luster and fire when set at the proper depth that ensures its sparkle. Trillion-cut stones are most often used by jewelers as a matching pair of the side stones in diamond earrings, pendants and rings.
There are many types of cuts, and for every gemstone it is an individual choice. The important thing is to find a gemstone cutter who can skilfully bring out the natural beauty of the rough crystal . Our Kantor Jewelry team works with some of the best gem cutters in the world. One of the top cutters we work with attained a score of 98.2126 in 2021 USFG (the United States factors guild) single stone competition (Grand Master division). We will turn your uncut crystal into a shining work of art that will delight you for years as a part of a uniquely designed piece of jewelry.