This company has invented this jewelry ring box that can actually propose for you!!
Too bad it cannot also photograph your girlfriends reaction ;-)
Yours for $198
Via: NJ Diamonds
Sotheby's Geneva will offer a magnificent 84.37 carat, brilliant-cut, D (finest white,) flawless, diamond for auction during its Magnificent Jewels in Geneva on November 14. The diamond (pictured) is the largest brilliant-cut diamond of top quality to appear at auction and is estimated at $12-16 million (CHF 15-20 million.) In addition to its extraordinary features, the diamond has also received the highest possible grading from the GIA with the report (No. 15692749) listing the stone with D-color, Flawless Clarity, and "excellent" polish and symmetry.
Sotheby’s stated the impressive diamond doesn't have a name, but the future owner would hold the privilege. Sotheby’s Geneva has in the past sold "named" diamonds, including the Star of the Season (100.10cts,) which was sold for $16.5 million way back in May 1995. It remains the most expensive jewel ever to have been sold at auction.
We are proud to introduce our newest Tiffany style engagement ring!
This inspired by Tiffany engagement rings, classic princess cut solitaire, is designed to look, act and function as the original.
If our thousands of happy customers are any indication, this ring should be a winner!
Tell us what you think.
Christie’s International in London sold a colored diamond once owned by King Philip IV of Spain for $24.3 million today!
Here are some pictures of an engagement ring we just completed and which is inspired by the Ritani 'Endless Love' Engagement Ring Collection.
The stones in the bezel, are yellow Sapphires.
We feature our Ritani inspired engagement ring on our website, here.
The owner of the largest colorless diamond ever sold at auction in Asia has named this stone The Shizuka Diamond. Christie’s sold the 101.27 carat, F color, VVS1 shield shape diamond in May 2008 for $6.21 million.
The unnamed buyer named the diamond as a gift for his wife of 16 years.
One of our creations; a princess cut diamond engagement ring!
We just completed this gorgeous diamond engagement ring, inspired by the classic DeBeers Forever Diamond Engagement Ring, for one of our customers. Take a look!
This "motorcycle" is literally studded with diamonds to create a dazzling showpiece of singular appeal.
I don't think I have ever seen anything like this and I cannot imagine how much this would sell for.....to a specific and interested consumer of course.....!!! Take a look!
Sales of Luxury items, especially diamonds and jewelry took a big hit in 2008 and their sales across the board were significantly down for both Retail Brick & Mortar jewelers as well as Internet diamond websites. Reports of 35-55% decreases in sales were noted.
Avi Krawitz of Rapaport News provides a detailed review and analysis on the diamond industry of 2008 and what might be in store in 2009.
Already, we are seeing a move in the direction of colored gems paired with diamond rings, to start 2009.
This trend covers not just promise rings and diamond rings, but even engagement rings with colored center gems are becoming popular for 2009.
We are getting requests for Tiffany Legacy Inspired diamond engagement rings, set with blue sapphires and other precious gemstones in the center.
With the economy faltering (let's hope it gets better..), people are looking to add some color to their lives!!!!
We could not agree more...take a look at this incredible eye-candy!
Many people do. They are exquisite, beautiful and very rare. Also mucho, mucho expensive. High above Manhattan streets this week some of the world's rarest and most valuable Pink diamonds were on display as Rio Tinto Diamonds of Australia brought its annual pink diamond tender to the New York City.
This year marks the first time the Argyle mine tender, which includes 65 diamonds ranging in size from about 50 points to just over 2 carats, will be conducted under the auspices of Rio Tinto Diamonds, the sales and marketing division of the Rio Tinto Group. The tender has been re-christened the Rio Tinto Diamonds Argyle Pink Tender.
Underscoring just how rare the collection is, Faye Jenkins, manager of sales and marketing for Argyle Diamonds in Western Australia, says pink production at the mine is less than 1 percent of total production, while those pinks deemed worthy enough for the tender are a significantly smaller percentage. The estimate is that for every million carats of rough diamonds produced at the mine, one carat is suitable for sale at tenders.
Exclusive clientele from around the world are invited to view the diamonds in Perth, Australia, Hong Kong, London, New York and Geneva. The viewings began late last month and bids must be in by Oct. 3. The bids are confidential and the names of successful bidders and values are not disclosed. For the first time, the company's Select Diamantaires, core customers who do business with Rio Tinto year-round, will also have an opportunity to preview the diamonds.
Diamonds represented at the tender come from a year's worth of production. The stones are cut and polished at the company's facility in Perth and then sent for grading at two independent laboratories. About 80 to 100 stones are held back from regular sales and then the tender is chosen among these. Jenkins says the offering usually includes 55 to 65 diamonds. In addition to the pink stones, this year's collection includes two diamonds in the blue to grey range.
In July, Rio Tinto released "Diamonds as Art" a limited edition catalog displaying some of the stones available at the tender.
"Last year's tender was incredibly successful and we expect even greater accomplishments in 2006," said Jean-Marc Lieberherr, general manager marketing of Rio Tinto Diamonds, in a media release. Of the 60 diamonds from last year's tender, he said 22 clients were successful with no one company dominating, which meant the stones were evenly distributed to clients around the globe.
The demand for rare pink diamonds grows unabated as does the price for these gems. Diamond pricing is generally a reflection of the market dynamics of supply and demand and with Argyle's pink diamonds, they are truly a scarce product, popular but very rare. Therefore, a one-carat, good quality white diamond would be $20,000 and the equivalent pink diamond can command $400,000."
Interest from celebrities like Jennifer Lopez and Victoria Beckham have made Pink diamonds more sought after than ever.
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Cut grades are based on the table and depth percentages of a diamond. Measurements from each diamond's grading report is to determine:
While nature determines a diamond's clarity, carat weight and color, the hand of a master craftsman is necessary to release its fire, sparkle and beauty. When a diamond is cut to good proportions, light will reflect from one mirror-like facet to another and disperse through the top of the stone, resulting in a display of brilliance and fire.
Diamonds that are cut too deep or too shallow lose light that spills through the side or bottom. As a result, poorly cut stones will be less brilliant and beautiful and certainly less valuable than well cut diamonds higher on the diamond quality pyramid.
A good cut is essential to a diamond's beauty, because even a diamond with outstanding color and clarity will not display the sparkle that diamonds are famous for if its components don't interact with light as they should.
The proportions of width and depth have a large impact on diamond brilliance, the reflection of white light that we see when we look at a diamond. Refer to the graphic on this page as you read the following descriptions.
Light traveling through a shallow cut diamond is lost out of the bottom of the stone, not boucing back into our sight. The lack of light play makes shallow cut diamonds appear lifeless.
Light traveling through a diamond that's cut too deep escapes out the sides, darkening all or portions of the stone.
Light traveling through an ideal cut diamond bounces back out the top of the stone, bringing its brilliance into view. More information on ideal cut diamonds.
Clarity of diamond is a measure of the number and extent of the flaws in the diamond. Generally speaking, the fewer the flaws, the more valuable the diamond. Basically there are two types of flaws - inclusions and blemishes. Inclusions refer to internal flaws and blemishes refer to surface flaws. However, in the diamond grades listed below, you'll note that none of the grades include the term "blemish" for the purposes of grading diamonds, all flaws are called "inclusions."
Virtually all natural diamonds contain identifying characteristics, yet many are invisible to the naked eye. Under the scrutiny of a jeweler's 10x-magnifying loupe or microscope, natural phenomena called inclusions.
There are several grading systems used to describe diamond clarity. By far, the most popular is the Gemological Institute of America's (G.I.A.) scale, which ranks diamonds as :
Diamonds are graded for clarity under 10x loupe magnification. Grades range from Flawless (diamonds which are completely free of blemishes and inclusions), to Included 3 (diamonds which possess large, heavy blemishes and inclusions that are visible to the naked eye).
It is the highest grade of diamond stone, where no internal inclusions or surface imperfections are visible under ten power magnification. Any tiny ding will make the grade Internally Flawless.
It describes stones with no visible interior imperfection but having minor surface blemishes which do show under magnification.
This category rates stones that have tiny inclusions which are difficult to detect even with ten power magnification.
This indicates very slight imperfections which are still difficult to see with ten power magnification. This grade of stones appears to all but the trained eye as perfectly clear. This is where the values begin The upper grades (FL through VVS2) are great, but the cost is restrictive.
These diamonds have slightimperfections and inclusions visible under ten power magnification. These represent one of the best values for a nice diamond. The stone will look great, but you don't pay for the additional laboratory-only clarity which makes little actual difference in the appearance and beauty of the stone. Sharp eyed individuals can sometimes spot an inclusion without magnification in SI2 stones.
These grades is where the vast majority of jewelry store diamonds are found. I1 stones are often reasonably priced and a great value. Most people can see I class inclusions without magnification. These lower grades are the "Imperfect" grades (I-divided into "1", "2", and "3" factors), with clearly visible activity within the stone. The "Imperfect" range is with each factor indicating a stone more visibly included to the naked eye.
There are many different types of flaws. The best way to become acquainted with them is to look at lots of diamonds. The more common ones are as follows:
The color of a diamond has the second biggest impact on its price, after carat weight. Color describes the amount of color the diamond contains. This can range from colorless to yellow with slight tints of yellow, gray or brown. Colors can also range from intense yellow to brown, blue, green, pink and red. These fancy colors are rare and therefore more valuable.
The color of a diamond refers to its degree of "yellowness." The ideal diamond is completely colorless, and therefore it will be the most expensive. The Gemological Institute of America (G.I.A.) grades color alphabetically from D (totally colorless) to Z (yellow):
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For all practical purposes, diamonds graded from D through F are considered colorless. While subtle graduations from D through F do exist, and are measurable by a gemologist (using ideal lighting conditions on a white background), to all but the trained eye these stones appear colorless.
Most diamonds sold are in the G through J range. While the untrained eye still sees these stones as colorless when mounted, they are graded as slightly tinted. "J" being more pronouncedly colored or tinted than a "G" color, most stores stock stones in this range, and order in higher grades as required. They don't pay those prices for the "highest grades" so why should you! If you stay up toward the "G" range you're going to find the best value and beauty for your money!
Diamonds graded from K through M show visibly more marked color, and are classified as faintly tinted or colored. Now this is where you really start seeing color "big time!" A stone of this range hammerset into a warm 18Kt yellow gold ring looks stunning; however, place it into a platinum or white gold set and it looks terribly colored! From N on towards Z colors are increasingly more dramatic.
Because a colorless diamond, like a clear window, allows more light to pass through it than a colored diamond, colorless diamonds emit more sparkle and fire. The formation process of a diamond ensures that only a few, rare diamonds are truly colorless. Thus the whiter a diamond's color, the greater its value.
Diamond Flourescence
Fluorescence is an effect that is seen in some gem-quality diamonds when they are exposed to long-wave ultraviolet light (such as the lighting frequently seen in dance clubs). Under most lighting conditions, this fluorescence is not detectable to the eye. While most gemologists prefer diamonds without this effect, some people enjoy it. It's really just a matter of aesthetics.
Some people seek diamonds that produce this unique effect, while others definitely avoid it. The visible effects of fluorescence grades of faint, inert, negligible, and medium, can only be detected by a trained gemologist. A fluorescence grade of strong or very strong can make a diamond with a near-colorless grade look even whiter yet in some instances give the diamond a slight hazy or oily appearance. Diamonds with a strong or very strong fluorescence are priced slightly lower than other diamonds. Learn more about diamond fluorescence.
Choose Best Color Grade Diamond
Diamonds graded D through F are naturally the most valuable and desirable because of their rarity. Such diamonds are a treat for the eyes of anyone. But you can still obtain very attractive diamonds that are graded slightly less than colorless.
For the purist, look for a colorless diamond with a grade of D-F and a fluorescence rating of faint, inert, none, or negligible.
For an excellent value in a diamond with no noticeable color to the unaided eye, look for a near-colorless grade of G-I, and a fluorescence grade of medium or strong blue.
Or, if you'd rather not compromise on color but would like to stay on budget, choose a diamond with a good cut, SI1–SI2 clarity, and consider going with a strong fluorescence. It will still be beautiful to the unaided eye and you may prefer the unique effect of a strong fluorescence.
Carat Weight" is simply the weight of the diamond. By definition, 1 carat is exactly 200 milligrams. Since most diamonds sold in the jewelry industry weigh less than 1 carat, the carat is usually subdivided into "points." There are 100 points in 1 carat, so that a diamond weighing 3/4 carat would be a "75 point diamond." In summary:
Carat weight is not a factor which denotes diamond quality. It purely denotes the size of a diamond, by its weight. Obviously it also affects the value or price of a diamond, because consumers tend to prefer bigger rather than smaller diamonds. Large diamonds are also rarer than small diamonds. Because there is higher demand and lower supply for large diamonds, they command higher prices. Often people talk about the size of diamonds. Size in this context really means weight, as large diamonds will normally weigh more than small ones.
The Federal Trade Commission has strict guidelines about the range of carat weight that a fraction can represent. The chart below outlines acceptable ranges for carat weights expressed as fractions.
When diamonds are mined, large gems are discovered much less frequently than small ones, which makes large diamonds much more valuable.
In fact, diamond prices rise exponentially with carat weight. So, a 2-carat diamond of a given quality is always worth more than two 1-carat diamonds of the same quality.
The carat weight of a diamond is a major factor in its price, but the cut, color, and clarity will also affect the price greatly. A 1/2 carat (0.50 ct.) diamond solitaire with high color and clarity ratings may cost more than a 3/4 carat (0.75 ct.) diamond solitaire with lower color and clarity ratings. Because large diamonds are much rarer in nature than small ones, diamond value increases exponentially for certain thresholds of diamond carat weights. A 1 carat diamond will cost more than twice as much as a 1/2 carat diamond of comparable quality.
As diamond carat size increases, both the diameter and the depth of the diamond increase. This is why a 1 carat diamond (approximate 6.5mm diameter) does not look twice as wide as a 1/2 carat diamond (approximate 5mm diameter). When choosing a diamond size, keep the size of the wearer in mind. Diamond studs with an individual diamond weight of 1/2 carat each may be more suitable on very small earlobes than diamond studs of 1 carat each. Likewise, a 1 carat solitaire will appear much larger on a size 4 finger than a size 8.
Diamonds can be found in a range of prices, and you are certain to find one within our site that suites your taste and your budget.
To establish a diamond's price, examine each of the 4C's: Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat weight, the combination of the 4C's determines the value of a particular diamond. The finest diamonds have the rarest quality in each of the 4C's.
Buying a diamond can be a complicated affair, especially if the buyer doesn't know what to look for. Following are the general diamond buying tips.
Buying a diamond engagement ring is part of a much larger decision that goes far beyond jewelry, tradition, or money. The very fact that you're even considering such a commitment indicates that you've already made quite a journey.
Diamonds are one of the loveliest of all gems. Simply put, a diamond is nothing more than a chunk of carbon, yet in its pure, crystallized form is the hardest transparent substance known to man, one hundred times harder than ruby or sapphire. Only another diamond can cut a diamond. This durability, along with its light, has made diamonds an enduring marriage symbol.
Spend some time exploring your diamond ring options such as styles, stones and budget, etc. Once familiar with the options, establish your budget based on your income, what you feel comfortable spending, and the type and grade of diamond you wish to purchase.
And once you've established your budget, don't allow a jeweler to talk you into going drastically over or going drastically under your budget. Your engagement ring budget will be based on not only your income, but also your knowledge of diamonds (the four Cs, certification, shapes), so you'll have a very good idea of both what you can afford and want to spend.
Before buying a diamond, you need to understand the four Cs of diamond evaluation:
Once you understand the four cs, review the page on diamond certificates. Diamond certificates are the blueprint of the diamond and and certify the various grades (cut, color, clarity), carat weight, and additional aspects of the diamond such as shape. Not all certificates are created equal be sure to read this section to know that the certificate you receive is worth more than the paper it's written on.
The setting is what you probably think of as the ring portion the band, accent stones, and the prongs. Everything except the center diamond. Settings come in a variety of metals and styles. Most diamond engagement rings are set in gold (yellow, white, or "two-toned", and various karats) or platinum. See the different techniques of diamond settings.
There are two basic parts to every diamond engagement ring: the setting and the center diamond. The setting is the ring portion the band, accent stones, and the prongs. When designing your own ring, which one do you select first the setting or the center diamond.
If either you or the recipient has a heart set on a princess cut diamond, you better start with the diamond selection. Not all settings can accomodate all diamond shapes and sizes, so if you already have an idea what the center diamond will look like, start there.
On the other hand, if either of you have a heart set on a platinum setting, start there and review the platinum options (which will include traditional plain bands, bands with accent diamonds, and bands with colored diamonds.
The 4Cs about buying diamonds are used throughout the world to classify the rarity of diamonds. Diamonds with the combination of the highest 4C ratings are more rare and, consequently, more expensive. The four c's of diamond covers numerous aspects of each individual diamond's qualities, but there are four grades which are critical to understand i.e cut, clarity, color, and carat weight.
The four c's about buying diamonds are:
Diamond Cut
The cut of a diamond has a tremendous affect on its brilliance. Even if the diamond has perfect color and clarity, a poor cut can make a diamond look dull. Cut is probably the most important quality factor, and most challenging, of the four Cs to understand. The brilliance of a diamond depends heavily on its cut. More info on diamond cut.
Diamond Clarity
Most diamonds have inclusions (minute traces of non-crystallized carbon). Usually, the inclusions are not visible to the naked eye (excluding Imperfects). I think that the minute inclusions that there may be, make every diamond unique like a finger print.
Most diamonds contain some inner flaws, or inclusions, that occur during the formation process. The visibility, number and size of these inclusions determine what is called the clarity of a diamond. Diamonds that are clear create more brilliance, and thus are more highly prized, and priced. More info on diamond clarity.
Diamond Color
Most diamonds have a slightly yellow or brown color. With the exception of some natural fancy colors (blue, pink, violet, green, or red (expensive one), the colorless grade is the most valuable.
GIA developed color scale for colorless diamond. Diamond color is graded on the scale from D (colorless) to Z+ (fancy yellow). Your price range will determine what color, cut and shape that your diamond will have which color range.
Colorless diamonds are the most desirable since they allow the most refraction of light (sparkle). Off white diamonds absorb light, inhibiting brilliance. More info on diamond color.
Carat Weight
Carat weight is the obvious factor in determining the price of a diamond. However, bigger is not always better in the diamond business. If there are two diamonds of equal weight can have very unequal value, depending on their cut, color and clarity.
The weight of the diamond is measured in carats. The metric carat equals 0.200 gram. A carat is the unit of weight by which a diamond is measured. Because large diamonds are found less commonly than small diamonds, the price of a diamond rises exponentionaly to its size. Read this guide to get a better understanding of what a carat is and how it affects the appearance of a diamond. More info on diamond carat weight.
Asscher cut diamonds looks similar to the emerald cut but the only difference is that it's square while emerald cut diamond also comes in the rectangle shape. They both emit the same brilliance.
The name Asscher cut diamonds comes from the Asscher Brothers who had developed this variant diamond cut in the year 1902. This diamond has also been called the 'square diamond cut' and has been made popular off late by various Hollywood stars.
Asscher cut diamond shape has rapidly gained popularity. Due to the increased popularity, more and more stores are carrying this fashionable cut however, the range of diamonds tends to be smaller than for other more common cuts.
The Asscher cut is designed to draw the eye into the diamond and as such, you should always select the highest quality stone you can afford. The minimum recommendations for buying Asscher cut diamonds.Certified diamond dealers suggest that when one purchases asscher cut diamonds then they must keep certain guideline figures in mind.
This implies certain basic proportions to ensure genuineness of the diamond. Such as the color should be 'G' the ideal clarity should be VS2, depth percentage should range between 67% and 72%.
While not the traditional selection, asscher cut diamonds are very fashionable and make dramatic engagement rings (either as a solitaire or with accent stones). Asscher cut diamonds do require four-pronged settings .
Very square asscher cuts (Ratio of 1:1) are prefered to even slightly more rectangular looking ones. Asscher cuts should not exceed a ratio of 1.1:1.
Cushion cut diamonds are actually antique pieces that mainly look like something between the old mine cut of the late 19th and early 20th centuries and the modern oval cut. Cushion cut diamonds are also known as Candlelight Diamonds. These diamonds have look that bring forth romanticism because of its natural shine and beauty.
Cushion cut diamonds are of a rectangular shape, though more proportionately looking like a square. Its corners are rounded and to large extent represent a miniature pillow so sometimes referred to as the pillow-cut or the candlelight diamond (a reference to cuts designed prior to electric lights, when diamonds sparkled in the light provided by candles). This diamond cut exhibits a high degree of returning light, that makes it sparkle extraordinarily.
This cut is not as fiery or brilliant as many of the newer cuts, but it has a marvelously romantic and classic look and definitely stands out from the crowd of round brilliants.
Standards for cushion cut diamonds vary widely and more than with most contemporary cuts (where light reflection is critical to the beauty of the stone), much is left to personal taste. So you will easily find cushion cuts that are nearly square, long rectangles, and varying size tables and depth percentages.
Because of the large open facets of the cushion cut, opt for the highest clarity and color your budget affords.
Squarer-looking cushion cuts (Ratio of 1:1) tend to be prefered to more rectangular ones (Ratio of 1.2:1). Cushion cuts should not exceed a ratio of 1.2:1
The radiant cut diamond shape can be considered to be an improved version of the princess cut, but combining its best features with those of the emerald cut. The princess cut was one of the most important new cuts or shapes for diamonds since the invention or perfection of the modern brilliant cut over 60 years ago.
Because of its design, this cut requires more weight to be directed toward the diamond's depth in order to maximize brilliance. Depth percentages of 70% to 78% are not uncommon. This square or rectangular cut combines the elegance of the emerald shape diamond with the brilliance of the round, and its 70 facets maximize the effect of its color refraction.
The radiant cut is a hybrid cut, a cross between a princess cut and an emerald cut. It combines the best features of the round brilliant cut, the square shape of the princess or square baguette cut, and the cut corners of the emerald cut. Like the princess cut, it is normally used for near-square stones rather than oblong ones.
Radiant cut diamonds are principally used for important center stones primarily for rings but also for pendant. They are rarely used for earrings or as side stones because they are hard to calibrate and match. To get matched pairs you may have to sort through a hundred stones or re-cut to calibrate. Emerald - an emerald cut diamond shape is usually rectangular. The flat planes of the outside edges allow for a variety of side stones shapes.
Typical pairing would be two or three side baguetts, two half-moons and other smaller emeralds but not trillions as their sparkle makes the center emerald cut look flat.
A radiant cut with a length to width ratio of less than or equal to 1.05:1 will appear square to the observer. While a squarer radiant-cut diamond is the preference of many, some people prefer a slightly rectangular diamond.
This is a brilliant-cut triangle diamond - a wedge shape with fiery brilliance. It can be a traditional triangular shape with pointed corners, or a more rounded triangular shape. Trilliants (also called Trillions) are often used as diamond accents in three stone rings and other jewelry settings, but may also be chosen to be set as solitaire diamonds.
This is a spectacular wedge of brittle fire. Trilliant cut diamond was first developed in Amsterdam, the exact design can vary depending on a particular diamond's natural characteristics and the cutter's personal preferences. It may be a traditional triangular shape with pointed corners or a more rounded triangular shape with 25 facets on the crown, 19 facets on the pavilion, and a polished girdle. It is definitely for the adventurous.
Trilliant cut diamond shape may look like a traditional triangle with pointed corners, but more rounded shapes can be found.
An equilateral triangle is prefered in a trilliant diamond. Variance in the ratio of length to width should not deviate considerably.
The priencess cut diamond shape is the most important new cut or shape for diamonds since the invention or perfection of the modern brilliant cut over 60 years ago. It is a great improvement over the previous step cut used for square and oblong diamonds. It is effectively a square version of the round brilliant cut, and is known technically as a square modified brilliant cut.
The princess cut diamond is regarded as the most fancy of all diamond cuts. In fact it is most popularly used in engagement rings. It is worth noting here that you must always be careful when purchasing a diamond, as it is the most expensive precious stone available. In fact American Diamonds are sold in market that cost a negligibly price in comparison to the real diamonds, but have a sparkle that cause many-an-eye to flutter. Thus, it is always better to purchase diamonds from a certified dealer.
Because of the extra facetting, and the effects it produces, princess cuts are naturally more brilliant and sparkly than ordinary square diamonds. Any inclusions are less visible, and any slight yellowish or brownish colour is less noticeable, helping to create more attractive diamonds at more reasonable prices.
This is the most popular shape in engagement ring diamonds as it gives a brilliant brilliance when viewed from all the angles. This particular shape is much more preferred in a solitaire diamond engagement ring.
These diamonds are basically a square shaped brilliant cut diamond with sharp, uncut corners. This cut has a crown and on an average 76 pavilion facets that run vertical in direction. Other fancy shaped diamonds primarily have facets that run horizontally. Various Diamond Associations, such as GIA, AGS and HRD, have termed this diamond variation as the Square Modified Brilliant.
A princess cut with a length to width ratio of less than or equal to 1.05:1 will appear square to the observer. While a squarer diamond is the preference of many, some people prefer a slightly rectangular-shaped princess diamond.
The emerald shaped diamonds are square shaped with rounded corners. Emerald cut diamond shape resembles a box when looked down from above. The name 'emerald cut' comes from the fact that emerald was cut in the same way. The emerald shape has fewer facets as compared to the round diamond but still is popular as it resembles a clear sheet of glass. The emerald cut comes in square as well as rectangle shape.
The emerald cut diamonds is different from other diamonds because of its pavilion. This variation of the diamond cut is such that it is cut with rectangular facets that reflect far more light than other cuts, giving it a radiant brilliance that is par excellence. The most preferred Emerald Cuts are those with the length-to-width ratio being 1.30 and 1.40.
The emerald cut diamond can be absolutely stunning. Because of it's long lines, it tends to be less fiery than a "round brilliant" cut, but it also tends to have broader, more dramatic flashes of light. The trim lines of emerald cut diamonds lend an elegant, sophisticated air to both the simplest and most elaborate ring settings.
While this is one of most popular variants of the Diamond family, it does have certain flaws that one should be careful of when making a purchase. Firstly, one must keep in mind the quality of the diamond; obviously it has to be worth its price, which can be guaranteed when purchased from a certified diamond merchant. It is not like the flaws cannot be noticed as easily. In fact one may come across an emerald cut that lacks in color and brilliance. But, on the brighter side the Emerald Cut is far more affordable than the cushion cut.
The recommended proportions that should be checked for when purchasing the Emerald cut include, 'G' color, VS2 clarity; 58% to 69% depth range.
An emerald cut with a length to width ratio of approximately 1.35:1 is generally the most prized. However, in recent years, square emerald cuts have become extremely popular.
Heart cut diamonds looks like pear shape diamonds with a notch cut into the top. As the name suggests the heart cut diamond shape is of a heart which is difficult to achieve in a diamond. Apart from the trouble the good thing is that as the heart is the symbol of love, and the diamond is the symbol for eternity.The heart shaped brilliant bears some similarity to the pear shape, except that there is a cleft at the top. In fact, often the reason cutters may choose a Heart shape over a Pear may be that the Rough Diamond contained an inclusion located in the cleft. The skill of the cutter can make a great difference in the beauty of this cut. The shape appeal is especially important with Hearts.
When a diamond is heart shaped it becomes a symbol of everlasting love. All around the world heart shaped diamond engagement rings are more popular and most sought after.
A heart-shaped stone is usually proportioned with equal length and width, approximating a ratio of 1:1. A length to width ratio of between 0.90:1 and 1.15:1 is preferred. The ratio should not fall below 0.80:1 or exceed 1.20:1
The name "Marquise" came from a legend of the Marquise of Pompadour that the Sun King wanted a Diamond to be polished into the shape of the mouth of the Marquise! The typical Marquise Brilliant contains 56 facets.
The oval shaped brilliant is very similar to a round except it is elliptical. It was invented by Lazare Kaplan in the early 1960s. The Oval brilliant usually has 56 facets. Shape appeal is very important with oval brilliants.An even, perfectly symmetrical design popular among women with small hands or short fingers. Its elongated shape gives a flattering illusion of length to the hand. The oval cut diamond shape is also a popular choice of diamond engagement ring as its closer to being round and fits all designs. The oval shape gives the finger a more slender graceful appearance, hence it's a popular choice among the women. This shape is a popular choice for a three stone engagement ring. The brilliance is typical of a round diamond but the difference is the exciting shape little away from the ordinary.
It is also the most brilliant of all the cuts. You may have heard of a term called "ideal cut". This term refers to the attempt to cut a Diamond into the best proportions to achieve maximum brilliance. There are 58 facets in a Round Brilliant Cut including the culet. These 58-facet cut, divided among its crown (top), girdle (widest part) and pavilion (base), is calibrated through a precise formula to achieve the maximum in fire and brilliance. On the Crown or upper part of the Diamond, these consist of 1 table facet, 8 bezel facets, 8 star facets, and 16 upper girdle facets for a total of 33. On the pavilion, or bottom part of the Diamond, there are 16 lower girdle facets, 8 pavilion main facets and 1 culet.
Rounds are the most expensive cuts, and with good reason. It is usually possible to retain more weight from a Rough (unpolished) Diamond if it is cut into a Fancy shape than if it is cut to a Round. The depth percentage should range between 58 to 63 percent and the table percentage should range between 55 to 64 percent. The most desired percentages are the 60 percent, and perfectionists will look for depth of 59 through 62 percent and table of 56 through 58 percent.
If one wants to evaluate or buy a diamond, it is very important to be able to arrive at reasonably accurate price. Anyone who doesn't deal with diamonds regularly, and doesn't have a mental picture of the price structure, can use these three basic rules to reach the correct price for the diamond:
There are some diamond merchants who do show the price list to their customers. A current Rapaport list price can obviously be made the basis for estimating the price of the diamond. Actually being experienced and involved in the buying and selling of wholesale diamonds provides the most useful information.
The Rapaport diamond price list compiles prices for reference according to three variables - weight, color, and clarity. Cut is omitted and all diamonds are assumed to be of a good cut. A mental allowance should be made for lower qualities of cut. Having correctly identified the qualities of the diamond, one can find out the price.
Being able to evaluate diamond prices can be confusing and takes time to learn. Even once the 4Cs are established and the diamond price located on the list, more evaluating components are needed.
Using the Rapaport List
4 simple steps are used in extracting diamond prices from the Rapaport list:
