True to its name, the unique emerald cut was initially conceived for the purpose of cutting emerald gemstones. Before long, the breathtaking shape caught the eye of diamond cutters too, who swiftly drew inspiration for their own work. The Original Crisscut Diamond Emerald cut engagement rings by Christopher Designs are the epitome of classic beauty, bringing stark differences when compared with their classic round-cut counterpart.
When set in fine jewelry, emerald cut diamonds offer remarkable clarity and distinction, comprising straight lines and narrow facets that showcase vibrant reflection. The prismatic aesthetic is reminiscent of a house of mirrors, or a magnificent staircase that shines with flawless radiance.
While diamond emerald shaped engagement rings are some of the most beautiful in the world, not all are created equal. By focusing on quality during your search for the perfect emerald cut diamond engagement ring, you can bypass costly mistakes and purchase an emerald cut engagement ring that looks just as good in 10 years’ time as it did on the day you bought it.
Why is quality so important? Because this specific cut is unforgiving when it comes to imperfections, so a quality cut is non-negotiable for diamond connoisseurs.
Make an unforgettable statement with a emerald cut diamond ring by Christopher Designs that is anything but ordinary. The patented Original Crisscut Emerald cut diamond is designed with all of the elegance of a classic emerald cut, with exceptional added brilliance thanks to our crisscut faceting. This classic diamond shape evokes an air of elegance and sophistication, complementing any look effortlessly.
From settings that draw inspiration from vintage design – to shimmering diamond accents – the Christopher Designs diamond emerald cut engagement rings is a statement piece that always stands out. We are just as concerned about quality as you are, which is why we adhere to tried and trusted emerald cutting techniques that guarantee a clean, chic, and endlessly elegant look – every time.
Your Complete Guide to Choosing an Emerald Cut Engagement Ring
Are you considering an emerald cut engagement ring? Great choice! The emerald cut is one of the oldest diamond shapes and is characterized by the step cuts of its pavilion and its long open table which produces a truly remarkable hall of mirrors effect.
With its strong and bold geometric step-cut shape, the emerald cut diamond exudes elegance, sophistication, strength, and class. This enduring cut has therefore been worn and loved by celebrities and icons such as Amal Clooney, Jennifer Lopez, Grace Kelly, Kate Hudson, Kim Kardashian, Eva Longoria, Avril Lavigne, Beyonce, and Victoria Beckham, just to name just a few.
The beauty and precision of an emerald cut diamond is unmatched due to its unique ability to highlight the brilliance and clarity of your diamond in a more subtle subdued manner, making it a truly timeless choice.
What is an Emerald Cut?
Inspired by the traditional cutting style of emerald gemstones, an emerald cut diamond is characterized by an elongated, rectangular shape with dramatic chiseled step cuts and several rows of straight linear facets that are arranged parallel to one another. Typically, an emerald cut diamond has 57 facets and boasts a big open table that allows you to peer into the depths of your gorgeous diamond with exceptional clarity.
The History of the Emerald Cut
The emerald cut is often considered modern because it’s made quite the comeback in recent years, but its stylistic origins actually date back to the table cut of the1500s when stonecutters began step cutting emerald gemstones into a durable rectangular shape.
They realized that unlike diamonds, emeralds were naturally soft and were therefore more prone to breakage during cutting; however, the step cutting technique reduced pressure during the cutting process and prevented chips and cracks in the lush emerald stones, giving them increased strength and stability. Not long after, diamond cutters noticed the sleek clean look of this beautiful cut and began incorporating it into diamonds as well.
The actual term “emerald cut” wasn’t used until the art deco period of the 1920s when emerald cut engagement rings became more popular thanks to their impeccable symmetry and clean geometric lines which were highly appreciated during this era. Since then, they’ve been a popular choice for those looking for a more unique shape to their engagement rings.
Step Cut vs. Brilliant Cut Diamonds
The cut is one of the most important considerations when it comes to diamonds because that’s what gives it its most coveted feature, its brilliance, sparkle, and shine.
Most diamonds are brilliant cut, which means they tend to have kite and star shaped facets that seek to emphasize a fiery sparkle and maximize scintillation within the diamond. Some common examples of brilliant cut diamonds are the princess cut, pear cut, and round cut.
Emerald cut diamonds, on the other hand, produce a distinctive hall of mirrors effect due to the elongated lines produced by step cutting and therefore exhibit a subtle sparkle, but with much more dramatic flashes of white light that perfectly complement the dark planes in each step.
Ultimately, the major difference between these two cuts is the amount of sparkle displayed by the diamond. Emerald cut diamonds tend to emphasize the clarity of the diamond with its large open table, while brilliant cut diamonds are mathematically designed to boost the sparkle factor to the max.
The most common step cut diamond varieties are the emerald, Asscher, baguette, and carré which are all cut with either rectangular or square facets that descend from the face of the diamond like steps. Although cut similarly, each of these varieties is unique in the way it looks and shines, and among the step cuts, the emerald cut is the most popular.
What to Look for When Buying an Emerald Cut Diamond Engagement Ring
Shopping for an emerald cut diamond can be a little tricky since there is no cut grade by lab entities such as the GIA for emerald cut diamonds. In order to ensure your diamond’s quality, you should know what to look for when it comes to the cut, color, clarity, and carat grade of your diamond
Cut: There is no standard ratio when it comes to the length, width, and depth of your emerald cut diamond, but the cut you choose can drastically change the personality of your emerald cut engagement ring and the way it looks on your finger. The classic proportions for an emerald cut diamond are a length to width ratio of 1.40 to 1.50, however, some people prefer a thinner and more elongated cut of 1.60 or more of a square looking cut of 1.30.
Color: The color of your emerald cut diamond is totally subjective and depends on your preference. Some people prefer the warmer tones of G and H diamonds over the coolness of D and F color grades that are more popular because of their whiteness. It’s important to remember that body color is easier to see in an emerald cut due to the wide open table, so whatever color you choose, it’s a good idea to see it in multiple lights first and don’t be swayed by what’s a ‘popular choice’; instead, focus on what seems appealing to your own eyes.
Clarity: Remember that emerald cut diamonds do not conceal imperfections well due to the long step cuts, so the quality of your stone is very important. You should go with a clarity grade of VS2 to ensure that there are no visible imperfections, but there is really no point of going above VS2 as the higher grades will look the same to the naked eye but will hurt your wallet much more.
Carat: Due to their shape and cutting style, emerald cut diamonds lose less weight when cutting them from rough diamonds which makes them a more cost effective option when compared to other popular cuts like round or oval brilliant cut diamonds. It also looks like a bigger diamond compared to its counterparts because of the shape and its wide open table, making it an excellent choice for those who want a stunning bigger looking ring at an affordable price point.
Is an Emerald Cut Diamond Right for You?
Although this beautiful vintage step cut style is a unique choice compared to more common brilliant cut diamonds that are popularized by mainstream media, it may not be for everyone depending on what you’re looking for in a diamond engagement ring.
Pros:
They look larger than other cuts of the same carat weight due to the wider surface area and shape.
They are more affordable and tend to cost 15% to 25% less than similar quality round brilliant cut diamonds. You get a lower cost per carat with an emerald cut.
They are highly customizable and come in a variety of shapes that you can choose to suit your finger perfectly.
It won’t chip easily making it more durable for everyday wear.
Its unique and understated design makes this the perfect choice if you want something different that’s not too flashy, but still elegant and classy.
Vivid Flashes of Light create a breathtaking display of brilliance that’s subtle yet magnificent.
Tapered Edges mean that this stone won’t get caught on anything.
Cons:
It is not as sparkly, fiery, or flashy as a brilliant cut diamond so if you’re looking for that over the top glitter, you won’t find it here.
You must focus on clarity due to the emerald cut’s wide open table because it allows you to look right into your diamond, making it easier to spot any inclusions and imperfections with your bare eye.
Their body color is more visible because there is less sparkle to distract the eye, so any yellowness or warmth in the stone becomes much more visible -but if you happen to like the vintage feel of a warm stone then it won’t matter as much.
There is no GIA cut grade for emerald cut diamonds so there isn’t a consistent way to grade their quality.
There are generally fewer options available for emerald cut diamonds because it’s not as popular of a style.
How to Design a Perfect Emerald Cut Engagement Ring You’ll Love Forever
There are many settings that will work exceptionally well with the emerald cut diamond shape and will make this uncommon cut look even more stunning on your finger. Consider the following settings to help inspire your emerald cut engagement ring and make it one that you will truly cherish forever.
Solitaire: The solitaire setting shows off the quality and sophistication of your stone making it the focal point without any distractions.
Halo: The halo setting adds a little bit of luxe and flair to your emerald cut diamond by adding smaller diamonds around its border. Although this setting is beautiful and fancy, it will end up costing you a little more due to the extra diamonds.
Pave: A pave diamond band is also an excellent way to add a bit more sparkle and shine to your finger and still keeps the emerald cut diamond as its centerpiece.
Three Stone: A classic three stone setting can make your emerald cut diamond stand out even more. Consider adding two baguettes on either side, trios of smaller diamonds, or even more emeralds to flank your larger center stone.
East West: Changing the orientation from the traditional north-south to an east-west will completely change the look and feel of this already exclusive cut.
Before choosing an emerald cut diamond engagement ring that’ll be yours forever, it’s important to get it inspected and shop around to ensure you’ve picked the one that’s right for you. Remember to focus on clarity and look at it from various angles in different types of light to see how it sparkles and shines compared to other cuts and styles. Regardless of the setting and style of emerald cut engagement ring you choose, you’ll be sure to turn heads and catch plenty of compliments with this elegant, bold, and classic cut.
