The Most Popular Diamond Shape

The jewelry industry reports the most popular diamond shape is a round brilliant cut, and makes up seventy-five percent of the diamonds sold throughout the world and more than fifty-five percent of those sold in the U.S.  The cut maximizes the diamond’s ability to reflect light and brightness better than any other fancy shape, but in order to bring out the most brilliance, gemologists recommend buying the best grade diamond you can afford.     

In addition given the high demand and the fact that more of the stone is lost in the cutting process, round brilliant diamonds cost more than comparable cushion, princess, asscher, oval and emerald shaped diamonds.  Also the high shine of the stone makes them appear larger for their carat weight than many other cuts. 

The Gemological Institute of American (GIA) explains that today’s round brilliant cut diamonds have evolved over six centuries as diamond cutters worked to perfect the cut.  They say, “By 1750, when the brilliant cut had developed into a style with a circular face-up outline, it had passed through many variations in facet size and proportions. These included table size, crown height, length of the lower half facets, total depth, and culet size.”

Modern round brilliant cut diamonds’ have larger table facets and smaller culets as well as longer star facets and lower half facets.  They typically have 57 or 58 facets, which mean they are able to grab the light better than other diamond shapes.  Diamonds with 58 facets have a culet, which is the small area at the bottom of the pavilion or tip.  Once the point is cut off it is called a culet and counted as a facet.  Diamonds without a culet, or very small ones, are considered to be better grade.  

Please visit Padis Jewelry to learn more tips about buying diamonds and to browse through our extensive collection of loose diamonds and gemstones.  With three large showrooms in the heart of San Francisco’s jewelry district and a store in Napa Valley, we offer customers one of the best selections of certified diamonds, engagement rings, fine jewelry and watches. 

 

As a family-owned business, Padis Jewelry has been a trusted source for buying exquisite certified loose diamonds, engagement rings and fine jewelry since 1974.  We are one of the only jewelers in the area that offers such an exclusive selection of top names in the industry as well as such a large inventory.  If you are a lover of beautiful jewels, schedule at visit to San Francisco’s best jewelry store.

Source: http://www.gia.edu/gia-news-research-round-brilliant-cut-diamond-pay