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Cut and cutting style work in harmony to create a diamond’s brilliance. Cutting style is categorized into three basic types: step-cut, brilliant-cut and mixed-cut.
The difference between these three types is the number of facets in each cut. A facet is an edge that is cut into a diamond. A 58-faceted diamond will have 58 edges or planes cut and polished into it.
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This cut has rows of facets that resemble the steps of a staircase and are usually four-sided and elongated. The Emerald and Baguette-cuts are examples of the step cut.
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The Emerald-cut can be rectangular or square in shape. |
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The Baguette is a rectangular-shaped diamond with rows of step-like facets. If the baguette’s two long sides taper inward, it is called a Tapered baguette. |
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The most common Brilliant-cut is round, but it can also be heart, oval, marquise, and pear. All Brilliants have 58 facets and are admired for their fire and sparkle.
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A Trillion, sometimes known as a trilliant, is a triangular-shaped diamond with 50 facets. |
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Trillions are commonly used as a side stone. |
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This cut has both Step and Brilliant-cut facets. In the last 20 years, Mixed-cuts featuring Step-cutting on the crown and Brilliant-cutting on the pavilion have become quite popular. Mixed cuts combine the beauty of the Emerald cut with the sparkle of the Brilliant cut.
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Here are some common names for Mixed-cuts:
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Radiant: A rectangular or square shaped diamond with Step and Scissor-cut on the crown and a Brilliant-cut on the pavilion. |
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Barion: This was the first Brilliant square cut introduced on the market. It has a traditional Step-cut crown and a modified Brilliant-cut pavilion. It has 62 facets. |
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Princess: A square or sometimes rectangular-shaped diamond with 49-50 facets. Princess-cuts are sometimes channel set, creating a solid line of brilliance along a mounting. |
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