Five things to consider when buying an Emerald Cut Diamond
Emerald Cut diamonds remind me of the 1920’s – jazz music and Art Deco architecture – a time of a certain sophistication and style. If you were thinking about an Emerald Cut diamond here are a few things to consider:
1. Shape
Emerald Cut diamonds are rectangular but the proportions of the rectangle can vary. This is commonly referred to as the length to width ratio which can be determined by dividing the length of the diamond by its width. Many gemmologists believe the ideal ratio is around 1.45 – 1.55. The important thing to remember is the length to width ratio does not impact the brilliance of the diamond and it basically comes down to personal preference. So, if you prefer a longer thinner Emerald go for it!
2. Clarity
An Emerald Cut is a Step cut diamond, named as such due to the small rectangular shaped facets that resemble small steps or stairs. For this reason, is it easier to spot any inclusions that may be in the diamond. When considering an Emerald Cut diamond, we would usually recommend a higher clarity grade than would be acceptable in a brilliant cut. As a guide VS2 would be the starting point.
3. Price
If you are comparing a Round Brilliant Cut or even the very popular Oval Cut, you will be pleasantly surprised with the price of an Emerald Cut Diamond. There are a couple of reasons for this, the main one being you lose the least amount of weight when cutting a rough diamond into a polished emerald cut. Demand is another factor with Emerald not as popular as some other options. This more than makes up for the slightly higher clarity you need to look out for.
4. Size
Another aspect that is a positive for the Emerald Cut is that face up it looks larger than the more traditional brilliant cuts such as Round and Princess. This is because they are a more shallow cut and hold more of their weight in the front end of the stone as opposed to the back end. Another reason the Emerald Cut Diamond represents good value.
5. Designs
This is the fun part! There are so many beautiful designs for the Emerald Cut. A simple solitaire makes a striking statement either set traditionally or East-West. The three and five stone options also work well, and they are a great no fuss option with high impact. Emerald Cut Diamonds are also very well suited to Art Deco and Vintage designs and with these, the possibilities are endless.
If you would like to chat further about finding the perfect Emerald Cut Diamond feel free to book an appointment today.
