The Round Brilliant Diamond
Friday, June 3, 2011 by admin
Diamonds are divided into two halves. The top half is called the crown. It rests above the girdle, which is the center of the diamond. Below the girdle is the pavilion. The first brilliant cut diamonds appeared in the 17th century. They were called Mazarins and they contained 17 facets. Facets refer to a flat portion cut into the diamond. These original brilliant cut diamonds were called double-cut brilliants.
A Venetian man, Vincent Peruzzi, increased the number of facets to 33. These diamonds were called triple-cut brilliants.
The development of the diamond saw in the 1900’s led to the ability to create many more facets than before. Later, mathematical models were derived to determine the very best way to use a brilliant cut on round diamonds.
Today round brilliant cut diamonds have 58 facets. There are 33 facets in the crown and 25 in the pavilion. Modern brilliant diamonds also contain facets on the girdle, sometimes as many as 96. There are many variations of the round brilliant cut including the European cut,the English round cut, and the Victorian cut.
Round brilliant cut diamonds usually are the most expensive per carat weight. They make up a majority of the diamond sales today.
- If you like the general style of a round brilliant cut diamond, but want something a little less traditional, you might want to consider an oval cut diamond. Oval cut diamonds are similar to round diamonds in that they are both cut in the “brilliant” style. Oval cut diamonds can look as good as round brilliant cut diamonds, but they need to be well proportioned in order to look great.
- What could be more romantic than a diamond cut in the shape of a heart? They make ideal gifts for Valentine’s day, Sweetheart’s day, as well as a perfect choice for a “promise” ring. They bear some similarity to a Pear shaped cut. The heart cut has a cleft in the wide end, and a softly tapered point at the narrow end. It is thought that the shape first became popular with diamond cutters who used it as a means of removing an inclusion from an otherwise fine stone. The stone is usually mounted with the point toward the wrist allowing the owner to admire the shape. The heart is one of the two most popular asymmetrical cuts. It is the appeal of its shape that is the most important factor in its popularity. 
- The Emerald Cut diamond is as masculine as the Pear is feminine. It is either rectangular or square, lending itself well to men’s jewelry such as rings or watchbands. It was very popular in the Art Deco Period, as antique jewelry of the time featured step cut stones prominently. For those who like clean lines and a large amount of flash, this cut is for you.
- Ever since the modern brilliant cuts were introduced over 60 years ago, the Princess cut has been considered one of the most important. Evolving from a previous cut known as the Barion cut, the Princess is a style for cutting square and rectangular stones to gain the maximum fire and brilliance by adding extra and improved faceting. The popularity of this shape is on the rise as some of the original patents have expired and Princess cuts are becoming more available.
- The two major types of triangular diamonds, trilliants and trillions, are in the same shape family but have some very distinct differences. The Trilliant cut is a very marked triangle, its sharp points most often used as “side” stones with another shaped stone. Square or Emerald cuts are among the most popular choices to pair with the Trilliants. Although the Trilliant cut is rarely use as a solitaire stone, when it is it makes a very dramatic statement.
- The Radiant cut diamond is just that, absolutely radiant. It has the classic elegance of the traditional emerald cut shape combined with the fabulous sparkle of the brilliant cut diamond. This diamond is also called a Brilliantized Step Cut because of the way the developer put them together.
- Women love diamonds. There is no denying that, but what kind of diamonds do you want? Are you looking for oval, emerald, round, pear, or heart shaped diamonds? That is the question that all women ask themselves when thinking about a piece of jewelry. An interesting alternative to the oval or the princess cut may be just what you are looking for. It is called the cushion cut diamond. They are relatively rare, so just owning this jewel will put you in the class of having something that few possess.
- In 1902, what is considered to be one of the greatest cuts of diamonds was conceived. That diamond is the Asscher Cut Diamond. The Asscher cut was named for its inventor, Joseph Asscher who founded the Royal Asscher Company in Amsterdam in 1854. This diamond can only be described as looking at an infinite hallway of reflecting mirrors.
2011 All Rights Reserved