What is an Emerald Diamond?
As the name suggests, this elegant cut was originally created for emeralds. But in the 14th century it was adopted as a diamond cut, and has been beloved of fine jewellery aficionados ever since. The emerald cut is rectangular with cut corners, creating an elongated octagonal shape both elegant and striking.
How Many Facets does an Emerald Diamond have?
An emerald cut diamond have 57 facets. Faceted in a step cut style, the emerald wows with distinctive flashes of light.
What Makes an Emerald Diamond Special?
Immediately recognisable, the emerald cut is distinctive and timeless. The step cut facets have a captivating allure, drawing the eye in towards the centre of the diamond and showcasing the clarity and colour of the stone. Depending on the ring in which it is set, the emerald cut can exude either a modern or classical air.
How do you Know if an Emerald Diamond is Well Cut?
Of the four Cs, diamond cut is one of the most important. But as emerald diamonds are fancy cut, there is no defined cut grading as there is with a round.
It’s left to diamond experts to determine what makes an emerald most attractive, based on a balance of factors; the symmetry of the facets, the quality of the polishing, and the balance of size and depth.
Length to Width Ratio
First we consider the visual impact of the stone - how does the fire, brightness, and scintillation appear? Second, the design - how well proportioned is the diamond? Finally, we look at the craftsmanship - how skillfully has the diamond been cut and polished? While emerald stones are not given a formal cut grading, there are some suggested parameters to consider for a well-cut stone, including;
Length to width ratio: the length to width ratio of a diamond measures how proportional it is. Diamonds which fall within these parameters will be most pleasing to the eye, with a more distinct and even shape. Look for an emerald diamond with a length to width ratio of 1.40 to 1.50. The ideal ratio is 1.40 to 1.45, but personal preference can dictate whether you choose a narrower or wider stone.
Table: the table is the largest, central facet of a stone. The table needs to be large enough to let lots of light into the diamond, but not so large that the upper facets don’t have room to sparkle. Look for an emerald diamond with a table ratio between 58 - 73%
Depth: a diamond’s depth is the top-to-bottom measurement of a diamond, from its table to culet. The depth ratio compares this measurement with the overall width of the stone. The depth affects the visual balance of a diamond and its brilliance. If a stone is too shallow or deep the light will not refract properly, escaping through the base of the diamond instead of the top. Look for an emerald diamond with a depth ratio between 65 - 74%.
Choosing a Diamond Cut Grade
Cut quality in emerald diamonds is more difficult to assess than round brilliant cuts as laboratories do not assign a cut grade for fancy cut diamonds. However there are parameters that make it easier to choose a dazzling and exquisite emerald cut.
Look for a length to width ratio of 1.40 to 1.50. Although personal preference may dictate whether you choose a narrower or wider stone.
Choosing an Emerald Diamond Colour
Like so much about choosing a diamond, colour grade comes down to personal preference. Colour is graded by letters, with the scale starting at D. A colourless diamond grade is anything from grades D to F.
Most diamond lovers prefer the cool, white hue of a ‘colourless’ diamond, which is why these shades are so highly prized. For grades G and below the diamond colour gets progressively warmer, beginning to draw tones of yellow or brown. Some customers like these warmer shades, or find they can’t easily tell the difference in a yellow or rose gold ring.
If you have chosen a platinum or white gold setting, the difference between the white metal and a warmer colour stone will be more obvious, so we advise going no lower than a grade F.
Choosing the Clarity of an Emerald Diamond
Diamond clarity varies greatly, from perfectly clean stones to those with easily visible inclusions. Truly flawless diamonds are incredibly rare. Step-cut diamonds are prized for their large, open facets. Their cut lets light flood into the diamond and shows off the stone’s clarity.
For this reason, any inclusions are far more visible than they would be in a brilliant-cut diamond of the same clarity grade. To ensure your diamond is eye-clean, we advise choosing a clarity grade of no less than VS2. If your chosen step-cut stone is larger in size, consider grades of VS1 and above.
Is an Emerald Cut the Diamond for You?
Classic glamour makes you swoon, and you dream of a diamond with sophisticated polish. You love diamonds for their stunning clarity more than their brilliance, so embrace a cut that shows off a beautiful quality stone. Whether in a simple solitaire or a glittering diamond halo, you’ll adore the timeless luxury an emerald diamond imparts.
